The Arrogance of Fame

I have known a great many very successful and famous people in my life. I think that many of these people go a little crazy. I was watching the actor Wesley Snipes after he had been sentenced to a term of three years in prison for failing to file a tax return and non- payment of taxes. Apparently he failed to file over an elongated period. Like the next man I fully understand anyone’s desire to minimize the amount of tax they will legitimately pay, but who but an egomaniac or just a simple maniac, would think they could simply decide not to pay tax? That’s what Wesley did; he genuinely believed he could simply refuse to file his tax return and pay up.

I was once traveling in a helicopter, being piloted by a singer from a world famous rock band when he, looking down at the traffic jams on the road below us from his Olympian height, asked me, without irony, “I don’t understand why everyone doesn’t have one of these.” He had no sense of irony as he continued,” Do you understand it, I mean, its so much faster than being stuck in the traffic?”

Have you noticed that the super rich and pampered amongst our number seem to have a smooth shine to their faces as if nothing worries them? This is sheen beyond Botox. I think it comes from believing that you’re inherently superior to anyone else. Of course this is spectacularly obvious in Beverly Hills, where I was situated when I wrote this article. Even the pet dogs there are richer than most mere mortals like you and me. I don’t think that I’m imagining that they even bark posh.

People who were edgy and interesting, like the author, J.K. Rowling, become smoother than the finest cashmere, and they also lose something, call it reality. I was once quite friendly with a very well known novelist, Wilbur Smith. My late father, Michael Klinger, produced two of his books into films, Gold and Shout at the Devil, and I worked on them in a line production role. Wilbur was a lot of fun, and quite a character. After he became a giant success he appeared to grow a carapace that I’m confident he views as simple self-protection. The truth is, and I am concerned, that Wilbur shares the belief of the super successful that his pooh no longer smells. Rest assured Wilbur, it does. While I’m on the subject of Wilbur, it does seem a little odd that he has chosen to dedicate his books to each of his wives of the time as if they are the only woman in his life. I haven’t checked but does he change this dedication to reflect the current partner when a book is reprinted?

Famous people usually start out as a lot of fun when they still have a real sense of their place in the world. Perhaps their original peer group imbues them with a sense of their real place in the world that is lost when the moneymen and fame groupies surround them. Take yourself too seriously, and it’s over. The more money and fame that a star accumulates the less likeable he becomes. When a star has a huge amount of fame and money you can guess at the result. I’m sure that these stars genuinely mean well in their commendable charity work but that doesn’t excuse their arrogance and rudeness elsewhere or make someone a saint.

This is not always the result and generally it isn’t when the person concerned is secure in themselves and their ability. A solid family life back home will help. It also helps when the famous person is intelligent. That is not always the case. Many younger stars would do well to study and emulate Michael Caine, who never became a caricature of himself and as a consequence he is still one of the good guys. But for all their money and articles in Hello and OK magazine telling them how great they are, most celebrities can’t grow a bigger brain, however hard they might try. The result is generally the same, when the fame goes, the luster lessens and the money vanishes or diminishes, and the big star becomes just like everyone else, they are left alone, with their mirrors, checking the sagging jowls, and the missing family and friends.