Are you a fan of a celebrity no one else has ever heard of?

Recently my friends and I were debating over which super villain is the best. I told them my favorite was far and away Lex Luthor, and that Gene Hackman was indisputably the best actor who ever played the character. Their question to me was not "Why do you think so?", but "Who's Gene Hackman?"

I was amazed. Hackman is not one of those flash-in-the-pan Hollywood obscurities. He's a well-established, well-respected actor with more talent than he knows what to do with, and has been in numerous blockbusters ranging from "Bonnie and Clyde" to "Hoosiers" to "Superman". Sure, he hasn't made a movie since 2004, but six years shouldn't be enough time for one of the greats of the acting world to fall into complete oblivion, should it?

The situation brought to mind all the times my grandparents had mentioned a celebrity and I'd had no idea who they were talking about. I'm too young for this…

Has anyone else ever run into one of these situations? I'm just curious.

Anonymous2010-03-28T10:13:45Z

Favorite Answer

I'm sure people have heard about them, or they wouldn't be a celebrity.

I'm a big fan of a great female artist named Crystal Kay, but she's not very known.
She's more popular in Japan.

Below: I'm not trying to be rude but why is Wylie Draper your favourite actor? he was only in like one movie.

Anonymous2016-06-01T10:28:00Z

O.o I agree that celebrities aren't "just like us" But not much else. Artist work hard on their art. Do you expect them to just give it for free? Do you work for free? Most celebs don't charge you to get an autograph. If you were an artist would you want people to buy your art? The answer is yes. Don't sit there and lie to yourself. About the celebs not needing people is stupid. Lady Gaga has like almost no celebrety friends. She has her group of friends called the Haus Of Gaga. Celebs do respect people. That whole belivers thing is eh. Justin DOES see his fans as walking ATMs, just selling them anything. Putting his face on everything.

ɨ2010-03-28T10:15:56Z

When I first came on Y!A, I would always talk about Wylie Draper. And say he is my favorite actor(I still do), and then there would be these questions on Y!A saying, "WHO IN THE HECK IS WYLIE DREPER!!?!?!" So I'd have paragraphs explaining to them.

?2010-03-28T11:58:57Z

When asked who is my favorite author, I usually say "Cordwainer Smith." That tends to bring forth blank looks, even from people who consider themselves true s-f fans. When I refer to his often-anthologized story "Scanners Live In Vain," sometimes the fog lifts...a little...and sometimes not. Nonetheless, I love him still.