Comments on: Tragic Hollywood Tales

By: tu van du hoc

tu van du hoc — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 06:27:16 +0000

You could definitely see your expertise within the paintings you write. The sector hopes for more passionate writers such as you who aren’t afraid to mention how they believe. At all times follow your heart.

By: Angela

Angela — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 15:20:26 +0000

In reply to sonnu. I tried to keep it all about the movies. However, she is a tragic tale if ever there was. A waste of what could have been!!! Thank you.

By: sonnu

sonnu — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 20:51:02 +0000

Great post, Angela. I think you could have mentioned the recent passing of Amy Whinehouse. She was unfortunatly another good example of a good talent gone down the wrong road. Although she did try to make an honest effort to get sober, it wasn’t meant to be. Amy Whinehouse was a talent that will be missed.

By: Domoneezy

Domoneezy — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 03:56:17 +0000

In reply to Angela. I agree. And your most certainly welcome.

By: Angela

Angela — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 14:44:58 +0000

I definately think there can be a Tragic Hollywood Tales Part II, and unfortunately parts III, IV, and V. Therein lies the tragedy. I love the comment by Julie W, Be a success story, if not, be a warning. That is so true, with many of these people. And the other comment, MichoPower’s saying they didn’t know which was worse, the people who made the choices, or the enabler’s.

By: David Lopan

David Lopan — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:52:31 +0000

and Peckinpah!!! Sam Peckinpah made films for 20 years…which is short in the eyes of hollywood and he’s considered one of the greatest now. Alcohol also destroyed his career.

By: David Lopan

David Lopan — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 02:51:37 +0000

William Holden holds a special place in my heart always. I absolutely adore The Wild Bunch and Network. When I read about how he died…i seriously got choked up. He had such potential to continue a fruitful career well into his old age. Another person to keep in this list would be Charles Laughton. He was so upset that a project he held dear, the amazing Night of the Hunter, was panned at initial release…he vowed never to direct again. Who knows what couldve happend with him? Maybe he couldve been another great actor that knew how direct actors like Eastwood or even Clooney (we all know Confessions of a Dangerous Mind was absolutely brilliant). It’s insane how a prolific statute and career can tear people down so badly…it’s truly sad. Great post, Angela. Dig deeper and look for more stories…there are more out there. Start with Laughton, it would break your heart. Research the Criterion documentary on him that came with Night of the Hunter. it’s a really special viewing.

By: Tom

Tom — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:51:53 +0000

Great article. It brought back a lot of memories. It also made me sad that you probably could have included about a dozen more people. Kurt Cobain, James Dean, River Phoenix to name a few.

Anyway, Gotta disagree on your honorable mention of John Candy though. Chris Farley? Absolutely, but not Candy. He definitely died way too young and some of it may have been by his own behavior. However, he was definitely trying very hard to beat his weight problem, especially in the last year of his life. Granted, there was some unhealthy behavior going on there, but not excessive to the point that it deserves mentioning with the rest of the list. Also, sometimes genetics plays a big part in things like heart attacks. Andy Kaufman used to drink and take drugs but do you associate his death with it? Of course not.

By: raffydogg

raffydogg — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 22:12:16 +0000

I enjoyed reading this post.
I understand that there are plenty of folks that “Could be” added to this list.
But I think that River Phoenix should be added
He died at age 23, He already had an Oscar Nomination under his belt.

I dunno, I just feel that he fits the theme of this post

By: Anthony

Anthony — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:49:03 +0000

In reply to Angela. Very well written indeed!

By: Julie W

Julie W — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:24:46 +0000

It’s so sad to see such a long list of talented people who were taken early. It’s even more sad to think that they did it to themselves, for the most part. Someone told me about a friend of his who was a great guitar player and how the man was also unstable. The guy then said, “You can’t be a normal person and do extraordinary work.” I think that’s true with artists. The best things seem come for the people with the most problems. It’s a very sad reality. There is the saying “Be a success story. If not, be a warning.” These people were both.

By: Angela

Angela — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 16:30:40 +0000

Thank you for the compliments. Whether Heath Ledger was “doing drugs” or abusing prescription drugs it is six one, half a dozen the other. His choices to use that many drugs together is more what I was referring to. I certainly wouldn’t compare it to say…Charlie Sheen at all. Thank you for pointing that out.