Celebrity is a mask that eats into the face. As soon as one is aware of being ''somebody,'' to be watched and listened to with extra interest, input ceases, and the performer goes blind and deaf in his over-animation. One can either see or be seen.
Celebrity has become the most powerful marketing tool. Teens identify with them and maybe aspire to look like them. The celebrities are brought down to a human level now, and it almost makes them more powerful.
Celebrity gossip has become like the blob in that (1958) Steve McQueen movie: It spreads everywhere it can. 'Entertainment Tonight' begat 'Access Hollywood.' TV people saw these two shows could succeed and created an entire channel for it.
Celebrity dolls have always been a pop icon trend. Whenever a product ties to a licensed character or celebrity, it takes on a life of its own.
Celebrity children's books don't sell based on whether they are good or not. They sell based on whether parents want to buy the celebrity's name or not.
When I came out of surgery, I was on a respirator and had a tube in my left lung. I spent Christmas and the next thirty days in the hospital.
When I began to drive Formula I in the 1970's, the odds of surviving was 7 to 1. Incredible high risks. The odds of surviving now are like 800 to one.
For the last year I've been at Stanford University as a student and I've had time to read the newspaper.
Television is kind of a disappointment. I often want to watch it, but I find it quite hard - I don't like soaps, reality TV or celebrity chefs.
I love the power of celebrity because you can give voice to the voiceless.