Hollywood: Longevity in the Business

The headlines on a regular basis herald the antics of yet another Hollywood talent, who seems bent on self-destruction. Some say that emotional depth is the key to becoming a great actor, but it is also the sign of the most troubled soul in the business. There is a belief in the business that one cannot have one without the other; that greatness and self-destruction go hand in hand. However, a look beyond the headlines can give a view of a different side of Hollywood.

The child star seems to be the most troubled of all. During their rise in the business, most get caught up in the exhausting pace, resorting to chemical aides as a way to keep up. At such young ages, these stars are doing damage to their bodies that takes the average person years to accomplish. By the end of their childhood fame, this star is usually burnout and unable to transition into the adult sector of the business.

In most cases, the child start is not alone on their self-destructive path; there is a parent behind them doing the hardest pushing. The person that should be there, grounding the child, so that they won't get swept away is actually the main one doing the sweeping. The studios turn a blind eye as long as it gets its results. The child is lost before it can even experience life.

For every one story of a child star burnout, there is one more about the star who became a planet. There are child stars such as Ron Howard, who started in the business at age two. His most memorable role as "Opie Taylor" in the Andy Griffith Show is still showing in reruns. Howard's young career was very lucrative, and the transition into adult roles and directing was not easy. However, he is the most successful former child star to date.

The infamous Shirley Temple was another soul who transitioned well. She made over 40 films in her childhood career. She left Hollywood for the real world, with many brief forays back into the business. In the late 60's, she began a political career that took her all the way to an ambassadorship.

Howard and Temple went the straight and narrow throughout their careers, and although both went on different paths, they were very successful in their endeavors. There is yet another type of child star that has found a foothold in the business, after rebounding from the path of destruction.

The most memorable of this group is Drew Barrymore. She too started acting as a toddler, and was a major star before she was a teenager. Before she hit puberty, however, Barrymore was a drug addict, in danger of burning out before she was sixteen. Seeing the damage for what it was, Barrymore got some help, cleaning up herself and her career. She is today among the highest grossing female actors in Hollywood.

These examples of successful talent are plentiful throughout showbiz history. The more tragic stories are too. For all the Dakota Fannings and Abigail Breslins out there who are trying to make their way in the business, the former should serve as an example. Howard, Temple and Barrymore are often praised for their immense creative talents. They are not only successes in Hollywood, but success in their personal lives. To all of you coming up in the ranks, remember, there can be success without self-destruction.