Royal Purple

Issue date: 1/30/08 Section: Opinion

Bremer [Click to enlarge]

I have no qualms admitting when I've been wrong. How fortunate for me that I had no money riding on my misguided predictions, nor do I possess any shred of self- righteousness.

As fate or incredibly bad luck would have it, 2008 is having little mercy on Hollywood, and misery is running rampant throughout. My faith in Katie Holmes has dwindled after "Mad Money" opened to scathing reviews and pitiful box office earnings.

However, swooning adolescent girls and film enthusiasts were dealt an even bigger blow upon learning of actor Heath Ledger's unexpected death.

The Academy Award nominee was discovered unresponsive by his housekeeper last week at his New York City residence. After attempts to rouse Ledger went to no avail, 911 was called. He was later pronounced dead at the scene.

Rumors suggested an overdose of the sleeping medication Ambien as a cause of death. However, an autopsy provided inconclusive results. No doubt death comes as a shock, especially when it arrives without warning or evident cause. But the massive numbers of calls I received that day, along with a shared feeling of gloom, would have normally led me to believe I lost a member of my own family.

I devoted quite a bit of time over the last few days mulling over the reactions of my peers. I've arrived to the conclusion that in some detached way, many of us considered Ledger "family." OK, I'll give you a moment to recover from that Mr. Rogers sentiment. But think about it, doesn't it make sense?

We develop a relationship with certain stars who grab our attention or strike some chord within us. They become present in our lives. We see their movies and we get a glimpse of who they really are in interviews.

We're attracted to their talent, their demeanor, and often their physical appearance. I had to laugh when I told a co-worker about Ledger's death. She replied verbatim, "Oh my gosh, how sad. He was so hot."

While that response may seem a tad insensitive and a reflection of maturity level, it proves that all of us have some degree of longing for our favorite stars.

I haven't even touched upon the fact that realistically, we as the public are half responsible for the success of these stars. They have the talent, but what good is that talent professionally if no one wants to see it? We're connected.

We are giving the people we deem worthy the keys to wealth and fame and feel as though we share their success. It's a level of intimacy that isn't experienced anywhere else in life.

What does it take for us to let someone into our "family?"

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