Top 10 Hollywood Conspiracy Theories of All Time
#10: Jayne Mansfield Was a Satanist
The late Jayne Mansfield was a major sex symbol in the ‘50s and ‘60s. She was a Playboy Playmate, she allegedly dated Robert and John Kennedy, and she was the first actress of the sound era to don her birthday suit for a film. The movie was 1963’s “Promises! Promises!” She was also, allegedly, a Satanist. Mansfield visited the Church of Satan in 1966, and she was named “High Priestess of San Francisco's Church of Satan” by its founder, Anton LaVey. This was a media sensation throughout the late ‘60s, and it led many to believe that Mansfield was a practicing Satanist. LaVey’s daughter Karla later “confirmed” (quote-unquote) that Mansfield was a Satanist and that she had dated her father.
#9: Paul Thomas Anderson Directed “A Prairie Home Companion”
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2006 saw the release of a musical comedy called “A Prairie Home Companion.” The film was directed by Robert Altman, who is perhaps best known for directing the “M*A*S*H” movie in 1970. This was Altman’s final film, as he passed away just five months after its domestic release. Unfortunately, some people didn’t believe that Altman would finish the movie. He was eighty years old and sick, likely suffering from the leukemia that would eventually take his life. To secure insurance, Paul Thomas Anderson was hired as a backup director just in case Altman couldn’t complete the filming. The theory posits that it was Anderson who actually directed the film, not the ailing Altman. Altman denied this shortly before his death.
#8: Nicolas Cage Is a Vampire
Nicolas Cage was born in January 1964. Or was he? Back in 2011, an antiques dealer named Jack Mord posted an old picture on eBay. The picture shows a man from the 19th century who shares a striking resemblance to Cage. But it goes further than a mere resemblance. Mord claims that Cage is a vampire who reinvents himself every half-century or so. In this lifespan, the immortal vampire decided to become a popular actor. Cage’s lack of aging is also presented as a clue to his supposed immortality. This theory became so popular that David Letterman confronted Cage about it on his talk show. Cage humorously denied the accusation, but he did admit that he shared a resemblance to the older gentleman.
#7: Tommy Wiseau Didn’t Direct “The Room”
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The name Tommy Wiseau is synonymous with bad movies. The Poland-born filmmaker - maybe - famously created “The Room,” having produced, written, and directed the film himself. He also infamously starred as its lead character, Johnny. However, some people believe that the movie was actually directed by the script supervisor, Sandy Schklair. Schklair told Entertainment Weekly that it was actually he who directed the movie, as Wiseau was too busy acting. This story was corroborated by an anonymous actor who worked on the film. Co-star Greg Sestero also corroborates the legend in “The Disaster Artist,” claiming that Schklair often took over filmmaking duties from Wiseau. Wiseau has denied the allegations.
#6: Bruce Lee & the Triads
Bruce Lee’s death is famously shrouded in mystery, and has generated a number of conspiracy theories. Lee seemed a paragon of health, which made his premature death at just thirty-two highly suspicious. The official cause of death is a cerebral edema that was possibly exacerbated by an allergic reaction to meprobamate. The drug is found in Equagesic, which was given to Lee to quell a headache on the night of his death. Others aren’t so sure. One leading theory posits that Lee was assassinated by the Chinese Triads. Their motives are numerous, including business investments and Lee refusing to pay protection money. No one can agree on why the Triads supposedly had Lee killed, but the unfounded theory has persisted nevertheless.
#5: Keanu Reeves Is Immortal
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Similar to the Nicolas Cage conspiracy theory, this one claims that Keanu Reeves is some type of immortal being who has transcended the centuries without aging. Some people believe that historical figures bear a striking physical resemblance to Reeves, including the French actor Paul Mounet. Mounet studied to become a doctor before pursuing acting, and maybe he unearthed some kind of everlasting formula during his studies. Of course, the biggest clue towards Reeves’s immortality is his distinct lack of aging. Many people think that Reeves has aged exceptionally, even suspiciously well. The “John Wick” series certainly hasn’t quelled the theory. There’s just no way a man in his 50s can do what he does…
#4: George Lucas Directed “Return of the Jedi”
The original “Star Wars” trilogy is widely credited to creator George Lucas. What some people might not know is that he only directed the original movie. “The Empire Strikes Back” was directed by Irvin Kershner, and “Return of the Jedi” by Richard Marquand. However, there’s a long-standing theory that Lucas essentially ghost-directed the latter. Lucas was reportedly on set quite often overseeing the inexperienced Marquand, and there are rumors that Lucas personally shot some of the second unit work. Some people believe that Lucas controlled Marquand, essentially directing the director. Others claim that the movie was made in post-production, with Lucas and his then-wife Marcia molding the finished product in the editing room. As it is, Lucas was only given “screenplay” and “story” credits.
#3: Marilyn Monroe Was Killed
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If a popular entertainer dies young under mysterious circumstances, you better believe there are going to be conspiracy theories. Screen icon Marilyn Monroe died at just thirty-six on the night of August 4, 1962. The official cause of death was acute barbiturate poisoning, and the general consensus is that Monroe took her own life. However, no one really knows for sure. Cue the conspiracy theories! Some believe that Monroe was killed and that her death was staged to look like an intentional decision or accidental overdose. Norman Mailer famously claimed in his book “Marilyn: A Biography” that Monroe was killed by government agents owing to her alleged affair with Robert F. Kennedy. Mailer, and the theory in general, were widely lambasted.
#2: Stanley Kubrick Filmed the Moon Landing
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You get two conspiracy theories in one with this entry! As many as 20% of Americans believe that the moon landings were faked, with the supposed footage being filmed on a Hollywood soundstage. And that footage was directed by none other than acclaimed filmmaker Stanley Kubrick. No one really knows where this theory came from or why it even started in the first place. That’s when you know you have a sound conspiracy on your hands. The leading theory about the theory is that NASA contacted Kubrick owing to his work on “2001: A Space Odyssey” and asked him to help them trick the world. But what about the flags and footprints on the moon, you ask? Don’t worry about it…
#1: The Illuminati
Top 20 Hollywood Conspiracy Theories of All Time
Believe it or not, the Illuminati has been the subject of conspiracy theories for centuries. The Illuminati began as a German secret society in 1776 but was quickly suppressed by the Bavarian monarchy. However, many people believed that the secret society continued in some capacity, and they were blamed for starting the French Revolution. Some conspiracy theorists now believe that all major celebrities, not to mention most people belonging to the upper class, are part of the not-so-secret Illuminati. They supposedly wish to start a New World Order and are using their fronts (like film, television, and music) to propagate their convictions. Is Hollywood really just a front for Illuminati propaganda? You tell us.
