Tag Archives | Celebrities

The Price of Fame? An Early Death

By on April 18, 2013 in News 0

Warhol graveSo is it better to die old in obscurity or young in the limelight? From Reuters:

The price of fame can be high with an international study on Thursday finding that people who enjoy successful entertainment or sporting careers tend to die younger.

Researchers Richard Epstein and Catherine Epstein said the study, based on analysing 1,000 New York Times obituaries from 2009-2011, found film, music, stage performers and sports people died at an average age of 77.2 years.

This compared to an average lifespan of 78.5 years for creative workers, 81.7 for professionals and academics, and 83 years for people in business, military and political careers.

The Australian-based researchers said these earlier deaths could indicate that performers and sports stars took more risks in life, either to reach their goals or due to their success…

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Celebrity Recolonization Of Africa Map

By on March 1, 2012 in News 3

RecolonizationPost-Oscars, a look at how Western celebrities have projected their egos across vast portions of the world. Created by Mother Jones‘s Dave Gilson:

Oversized shades have replaced pith helmets, but the new scramble for Africa has its share of adventurers, would-be saviors, and even turf battles. As Madonna’s publicist explains, “She’s focusing on Malawi. South Africa is Oprah’s territory.”

The map takes a lighter look at the sometimes serious, sometimes silly business of celebrity altruism. For more on how Africa became the hottest continent for A-list do-gooders like Bono and Brangelina, see here. And if you’re looking for a more sober approach, check out our recent package on human rights.

Click on a country to learn which celebrity has claimed it, and how …

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Dirk Diggler Could Have Stopped 9/11

By on January 19, 2012 in News 17

Dirk DigglerVia WashPo:

The “Contraband” actor, who was actually scheduled to be on one of the planes that crashed, said:

If I was on that plane with my kids, it wouldn’t have went down like it did. There would have been a lot of blood in that first-class cabin and then me saying, ‘OK, we’re going to land somewhere safely, don’t worry.’

Now you may be thinking, as I did, “This quote must have been taken out of context!” Nope, not really.

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Politicians Are Shitheads

By on December 28, 2011 in News 7
Daniel Craig. Photo: Chrisa Hickey (CC)

Daniel Craig. Photo: Chrisa Hickey (CC)

So sayeth Daniel Craig, laying heavily into former British PM Tony Blair. Via Huffington Post:

James Bond star Daniel Craig has blamed Tony Blair for the rise of the celebrity obsessed “s**thead” politicians who cannot be trusted.

In an interview with Men’s Journal magazine, the actor said the former prime minister had been too keen to ingratiate himself with the rich and famous.

“Tony Blair started it much more than anybody’s ever done. ‘Go and have tea at 10 Downing Street’,” he said.

Blair was famed for inviting actors and musicians to No. 10 in the early years of his administration in an effort to bolster his ‘Cool Britannia’ image.

“The fact that a guy who’d been in a band, owned an electric guitar and has probably had a spliff was prime minister really meant something, after years of John Major and Margaret Thatcher.

… Read the rest

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‘Non-Visible’ Art Sells For $10,000

By on July 22, 2011 in News 16

fracsGenius or madness? Surly acting hunk James Franco sold an intangible, undetectable work of conceptual art, created in collaboration with the design duo Praxis, to a Montreal collector for $10,000. Paste reports that the masterpiece is titled “Fresh Air” and is described as thus:

A unique piece, only this one is for sale. The air you are purchasing is like buying an endless tank of oxygen. No matter where you are, you always have the ability to take a breath of the most delicious, clean-smelling air that the earth can produce. Every breath you take gives you endless peace and health. This artwork is something to carry with you if you own it.

Because wherever you are, you can imagine yourself getting the most beautiful taste of air that is from the mountain tops or fields or from the ocean side; it is an endless supply.

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