I’m an actor, I use to live in Los Angeles. I’ve never worked with Tom cruise, but I’ve worked with other big name stars. I’ve never seen more phony people on and off a set in my life. I believe every word your friend said. I’ve had good friends of mine who just changed for the worse and some who changed for the better when they got a taste of fame.
Off topic, but what about Keanu? From the things I've heard, he seems like a stand up guy. Genuinely humble/grateful for his success.
“...when they got a taste of fame.”
Hasn’t this been consistent with many of today’s “superstars?” I think you’ll agree that most of those in the top earners slots in Hollyweird by being spoon fed have let it go to their heads. And it isn’t just actors and directors. The history of power in La La has always had it’s, so called, champions. Back on the 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s. it was the studio heads like Mayer, Laemmle, Zanuck, Warner, Selznick, and even Mr. Moneybags, Howard Hughes at RKO strutted around with an air of importance and were given wide berths by the media and law enforcement, that they just reeked of “importance.” Well. it was presented that way.
And they got away with all kinds of crap. They had brothels on the lot and advertised their use by their leading men to indicate their “manliness.” Or they advertised (leaked) the use of places like the “House of Francis,” for men like Clark Gable, Errol Flynn, and Spencer Tracy being regulars. MGM even had a charge account there. Prostitution was supposed to be illegal in California......for some.
But it’s all part of the mystique that “sells” projects and makes people famous and privileged. Now it’s leaked into politics even worse than ever when it started with the Kennedys in the late 50’s early 60’s. Everybody’s a privileged rock star. (Except those that pay the bill)
wy69