Famous Celebrities: Paris Hilton

Many people seem to believe that Paris Hilton is famous for being famous. However, Hilton is a singer, actress, amateur porn icon, author, reality TV star, and fashion model. Perhaps, people are not giving her the credit she deserves because it is easier to write her off.

Paris Whitney Hilton was born on February 17, 1981 in New York City to Richard Hilton and Kathy Richards. She was born the heir to the Hilton Hotel and the Real Estate fortune of her father Richard. Paris Hilton is the oldest child of four; her younger sister Nicky Hilton is also in the limelight but does not carry as much fame as Paris. Their brothers Barron Hilton II and Conrad Hilton III are barely mentioned-probably because they are younger.

Paris Hilton really likes to focus on acting. In the past few years, Paris' face has shown up on the big screen numerous times whether it was from roles or cameos. She has starred in House of Wax, The Hillz, Raising Helen and Nine Lives and had a role in the straight-to-DVD National Lampoon's Pledge This! While none of these movies were of Academy Award status, they did well in the theaters and with DVD sales. Her cameo roles consist of Zoolander, Cat in the Hat, Wonderland, and Win A Date With Tad Hamiliton! Zoolander rose to cult classic and brought in a gross income of $45,172,250; The Cat in the Hat made a whopping gross income of $101,149,285.

Not to mention the scandal of 1 Night in Paris, Hilton's sex tape with her ex-boyfriend Rick Salomon. It leaked in 2003 a week before the first season of The Simple Life aired. Many said it was a publicity stunt but Paris filed a lawsuit against Salomon but eventually settled out of court. She claims that she has not received a dime from the DVD and states that Salomon should donate the money to a charity against sexual abuse.

If that was not enough, Paris also stars on TV shows on a regular basis. Not only has she completed four seasons of The Simple Life with her friend in crime Nicole Richie, a fifth season is in development for E! Paris has also guest starred on The O.C., The George Lopez Show, Las Vegas, American Dream, and Veronica Mars. That is not to mention all the appearances she makes on TV for interviews and award shows.

Her book Confessions of an Heiress: A Tongue-in-Chic Peek Behind the Pose that was co-written with Merle Ginsburg was a big hit. Even though many reviews criticized Paris' book for being poorly written it was a New York Times Bestseller. Paris also created a diary called Your Heiress Diary: Confess It All To Me aimed for the younger girls who look up to her. The diary motivates girls to write about their goals, friends, and role models.

Paris Hilton wins so many awards that sometimes it is hard to keep up. However, some awards have been overlooked by the mass media. In the March 2005 issue of Playboy she was named "Sex Star of the Year" even though she claims that the person on the cover is just a look-a-like and she has no idea where the picture came from. In the Guinness Book of World Records Paris allegedly holds the award for "Most overrated Celebrity" starting in 2007.
Also, in August 29, 2006 the Mayor of Las Vegas proclaimed the day "Paris Hilton Day" and gave Paris a key to the city.