Dealing with fame – or not

Sarah Polley

“I think you have to keep your distance from mainstream Hollywood in order to be a normal human being,” Sarah Polley [left] once commented. [imdb.com]

She continued, “I mean, I work there, and I like being there, but I love having an anonymous life. I think there’s definitely such a thing as being too famous.”

Many talented actors have an ambivalent attitude about gaining or pursuing celebrity status, or just high visibility.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder recently commented [Another Magazine March 2006] about it: “Hollywood people associate movies solely with fame and I didn’t enjoy working in that way anymore. I am so much happier now.”

Another aspect of fame is the hype, and what that can do to your sense of reality.

Lynda Carter

Lynda Carter was once voted “The Most Beautiful Woman In The World” and admits “there was a short time where I believed the hype. Not the “beautiful” things but that I believed I was really important, and that didn’t last very long because it didn’t feel good.”

But fame can be a valuable aspect of career growth – perhaps especially for actors and other artists whose work is “onstage” and in public view.

Mary Rocamora on recognition vs expectations

A counselor who works with a number of prominent actors, Mary Rocamora thinks “Many gifted performers crave public recognition because it fuels their creative process. A major preoccupation of gifted performers is the struggle to find their way into the company of their peers so that their talents can flourish. Becoming famous and respected almost certainly brings opportunities to work with other gifted individuals.”

But the dark side of fame can undermine personal and creative growth, as Rocamora notes: “When gifted performers ascend to fame and on-the-street recognizability, they face increased levels of public exposure. They are often overwhelmed by public expectations, loss of privacy, and the fear of public humiliation if their imperfections are disclosed to the press.”

[From article Counseling Issues.. by Mary Rocamora]

Kim Basinger

Fame can assault sensitive spirits, but also strengthen your personality, as Kim Basinger commented: “Because I’m such a shy person, having to live it out loud in front of everyone has made me a stronger woman, so much stronger, that it’s been a gift to me in a way.”

> related page: fame and celebrity