Top 5 Myths About Hollywood
In Tinseltown, a basic understanding of fact and fiction goes a long way. Welcome to WatchMojo's Top 5 Myths, the series that finds the biggest myths people actually believe, and dispels them one by one. In today's instalment,we're counting down myths that have long been connected to the Hollywood industry.
Special thanks to our users coolfun11, Mangesh Khapre, Andrew A. Dennison, Erica Jones, and nait08 for suggesting this idea, check out the voting page at WatchMojo.comsuggest
Top 5 Myths About Hollywood
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In Tinseltown, it’s not all glitz and glamour. Welcome to WatchMojo’s Top 5 Myths, the series that finds the biggest myths people actually believe, and dispels them one by one. In today’s instalment, we’re counting down the five myths about Hollywood that had us star struck.
#5: Every Star Wants to Be on the Walk of Fame
Believe it or not, the Hollywood Walk of Fame didn’t exist in the golden age of Hollywood. And so, a would-be icon like James Dean could have never have craved a Hollywood star on Boulevard of Broken Dreams. But since 1960, 2,500 stars have been dispersed across 1.5 miles of Hollywood Boulevard, leading many to believe that hard work or public adoration leads to such an honor. However, that’s only partially true, as the star itself costs 30 thousand dollars. Do you see Oscar winners like Al Pacino, Clint Eastwood or Julia Roberts on the Walk of Fame? No, because they haven’t submitted to the process of paying the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. Ever year, the organization actually selects 24 individuals that are worthy of a star, but it’s actually more about a parade of publicity given the hefty price tag.
#4: You Can Legally Touch the Hollywood Sign
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In 1978, the Hollywood Sign Trust was formed to protect the iconic landmark of Hollywood. And since 2000, it’s been equipped with motion detection technology. Unsurprisingly, this means that it’s illegal to chill with the 45-foot sign, let alone touch it. Back in 1932, actress Peg Entwistle not only climbed the “H,” but also jumped to her death. Today, something like that will likely never happen given the 24-hour surveillance. The heightened security has evolved for several reasons, as the location is naturally more prone to fire and the surrounding neighborhoods need some privacy. After all, the Hollywood sign was originally created for real estate purposes, not for the stars. And so, trespassers can be arrested and given a one thousand dollar fine. But given the allure of the Hollywood sign and various hiking trails, people still linger around, and some have actually succeeded in their quest over the years. But it just isn’t worth the risk, no matter how romantic it looks in movies.
#3: It’s Not What You Know, It’s Who You Know
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In Hollywood, strong connections and faux smiles mean something, but not everything. Even so, fame-hungry individuals often fall victim to the myth that heritage will trump talent. Take a look at Leonardo DiCaprio who actually grew up in Hollywood, and while his father George was a well-known comic book writer, that didn’t mean that Leo had any connections to the industry. His own personal struggles and effort landed him spots in commercials and the devilishly handsome star had to claw is way to the top. Obviously, there are plenty of actors and actresses that received help in their rise to stardom, but it’s also important to remember the craft itself. Acting classes are essential – just ask some products of nepotism like Jaden Smith. Comics also spend years developing their craft, including Jim Carrey – a man with immense talent that still had to overcome numerous obstacles to get his big shot. And so, it’s not about who you know, it’s about how damn good you are…most of the time.
#2: All Press Is Good Press
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Stars always want to keep their relevance and stay in the public eye. And when there doesn’t appear to any immediate consequences for questionable behavior, one can easily subscribe to the idea that “all press is good press.” Celebrities know how to play the game, but reputation means something as well. And when you push a bit too far, the Internet will surely take note. And then there’s Bill Cosby, an iconic name in comedy that was exposed by his contemporaries, only to be exposed even further when he infamously asked Twitter to meme him… And the cheeky trolls ate him up. So, celebrities often experience the consequences of questionable personal branding decisions on social media. In current day Hollywood, platforms like Twitter, Snapchat and Instagram are essentially part of a celebrity’s resume, and a lapse in judgment won’t go unnoticed by prospective employers.
#1: The Oscars Are Just a Collective Circle of Back Patting
The Academy Awards represent Hollywood’s biggest night, as A-list celebrities and powerful executives revel in the subjective judgment of approximately 6,000 Academy voters. And say what you will about the Academy’s demographical makeup (or even the idea itself), but the Oscars are far from a meaningless night of backslapping and circle-jerking. In other words, Oscar winners cash-in both literally and figuratively… And according to a 2016 study, Best Actor winners receive a significant pay increase of up to four million dollars, on average. This contrasts the 500,000 that female leads gain, highlighting an obvious gender gap in the Hollywood industry. Of course, an Oscar win leads to more exposure and opportunity for performers. But the Oscars can be a big deal for smaller-budget films that receive just a nomination, and even a mid-range film like Silver Linings Playbook tripled its theater screenings upon receiving the coveted nomination. So while this may not exactly make the Oscars more meaningful to you…it certainly does for those who worked for it. So how many of these myths did you believe? Here’s what google searchers are asking about Hollywood: Can I become famous? Is Hollywood really satanic? Do celebrities Poop? For more conservative top 10s and liberal Top 5s, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com
