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To find out more about why people are so fascinated with celebrity culture and when it becomes too much, we reached out to Professor David Schmid, who is an Associate Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of English at the University at Buffalo. Dr. Schmid has published on a variety of subjects, including the book "Natural Born Celebrities: Serial Killers in American Culture."

When asked why people are so fascinated with celebrities, Dr. Schmid told us that it’s “partly because our culture teaches us, both implicitly and explicitly, that celebrities are role models and we should strive to be like them. They are more attractive and successful than us, not to mention a lot wealthier, and so we should want to be like them.”

#2

Natalie Portman Has Had Papers Published In Two Scientific Journals

Her high school paper, “A Simple Method to Demonstrate the Enzymatic Production of Hydrogen from Sugar,” was published in the Journal of Chemical Education, and while at Harvard, she co-authored a study called “Frontal Lobe Activation during Object Permanence: Data from Near-Infrared Spectroscopy.”

natalieportman Report

Final score:

357points

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Otter 2 years ago

Guitar player Brian May had a paper based on his astrophysics PhD research published while Queen was topping the charts in the late 1970s, and wrote a version for "Nature" magazine. There are actually a lot of people who left science for showbiz, and made big bucks, including Mayim Bialyk and Dolph Lundgren. Yes, Dolph Lundgren left his Fulbright Scholarship studies in chemical engineering at MIT to make action movies.

125points

#3

Helen Mirren At 25 And 70

Final score:

347points

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Nathaniel 2 years ago

Stunning then, stunning now. She has grown old gracefully.

175points

#4

The Obamas Didn’t Pay Off Student Loans Until They Were In Their 40s

Final score:

345points

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Mitchell 2 years ago

Because they didn’t have rich daddies to smooth their path and open doors. Love these two.

387points

The professor explained further: “At the same time, we realize celebrities are ordinary people (especially when they mess up, go through a divorce, have problems with drink and drugs, etc.), and so part of our fascination with them derives from this contradiction: they are both exceptional and ordinary.”

During the pandemic, we spent more time on social media than ever, and that definitely increased our level of engagement with celebrities, Dr. Schmid argues. “The internet fosters a sense of intimacy with celebrities that we find very appealing; we feel like we share in their everyday lives and feel part of a community of people who also follow celebrities. This sharing and community are powerfully attractive forces in a culture where anxiety and isolation impact so many people,” he explained and added that celebrities compensate for the unsatisfactory aspects of our own lives.

#5

During The Filming Of The Avengers Robert Downey Jr Hid Snacks Everywhere

The food he kept offering people in the movie was the actor's own personal stash - it wasn't written into the script, the actor just got hungry and would pull out food. The crew couldn't keep up with all his hiding places, so they finally gave in and let him do it.

NoApollonia , Omaze Report

Final score:

342points

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James016 2 years ago

I think I read that the scene where he eats the cheeseburger in Iron Man 1 came from this

70points

#6

This Was Danny Devito's First Tweet

Final score:

337points

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Quaumsy 2 years ago

This is true for most people over 60(minus the nuts on fire bit)

38points

#7

This Is What Morgan Freeman Looked Like When He Was A Teenager

Final score:

332points

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Dre Mosley 2 years ago

He’s a licensed pilot.

91points

For those who’re wondering if it’s possible to become too invested in the lives of famous people, in his opinion, Dr. Schmid confirmed that’s possible. “Everyone's familiar with the consequences of toxic fandom, including cyberbullying and even turning on your favorite celebrity when they disappoint or 'betray' you in some way.”

“Sometimes, our expectations of celebrities become unrealistic, and when that happens we can easily cross over from reality to fantasy, with all kinds of potential negative consequences,” the professor concluded.

#8

Katy Perry's Cat Was Named Kitty Purry

Final score:

300points

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Ben 2 years ago

I might be in love with Katy Perry

12points

#9

Taylor Swift Has A Framed Picture Of Kanye West Interrupting Her At The 2009 MTV Video Music Awards In Her Living Room. It's Captioned, "Life Is Full Of Little Interruptions"

Final score:

289points

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Autumn 2 years ago

Why did he do that again?

95points

#10

Daniel Radcliffe Broke Over 80 Wands While Filming The Harry Potter Movies Because He Used Them As Drumsticks

Final score:

281points

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James016 2 years ago

What kid wouldn't do that

160points

#11

Steve Buscemi Used To Be A Firefighter

Final score:

275points

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Otter 2 years ago

Everyone knows the story about 9/11, right? He was in NYC, and went back to his old unit to help out. Worked his ass off for the duration of the crisis.

279points

#12

Here's What Jason Momoa Looked Like In His 20s

Final score:

264points

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kristina law 2 years ago

Beautiful then, beautiful now!

118points

#13

Rami Malek Has A Twin Brother Named Sami

Final score:

261points

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matshepo khumalo 2 years ago

And he's a teacher.

86points

Public Domain , Houston Police Department Report

#14

Actor Woody Harrelson’s Dad Was A Hitman

Charles Voyde Harrelson (July 23, 1938 – March 15, 2007) was an American hitman and organized crime figure who was convicted of assassinating federal judge John H. Wood Jr., the first federal judge to be assassinated in the 20th century

Final score:

256points

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Kona Pake 2 years ago

So that’s how Woody got his name.

50points

#15

A Young Bob Ross In His Army Days

Final score:

247points

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Jo Johannsen 2 years ago

He was a drill instructor.

65points

#16

Ths Is Brad Pitt's Brother, Doug Pitt

Final score:

237points

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Nathaniel 2 years ago

Is he an excavator?

352points

#17

Leonardo Dicaprio's Mom Was Looking At A Leonardo Da Vinci Painting In A Museum In Italy When Leo First Kicked. That's Why He's Named Leonardo

Final score:

236points

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MyOpinionHasBeenServed 2 years ago

I had a sewing teacher refuse to believe that's his real name. She even looked offended lol.

69points

#18

Nicole Kidman's Hair Is Naturally This Curly

Final score:

235points

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Buren 2 years ago

She looks better in curls

169points

#19

When Lady Gaga Went To NYU, A Group Of Students Started A "Stefani Germanotta, You Will Never Be Famous" Facebook Group

Final score:

215points

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Paul C. 2 years ago

That aged well didn't it?

179points

#20

Hugh Jackman Performed At Children's Birthday Parties As Coco The Clown

Final score:

214points

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Nathaniel 2 years ago

So did John Wayne Gacy.

132points

#21

Bill Murray Was Arrested When He Was 20 For Trying To Bring 10 Pounds Of Marijuana On A Plane

Final score:

207points

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Paul C. 2 years ago

Go big, or go home.

114points

#22

Ricky Gervais - Young And Old

Final score:

202points

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Nathaniel 2 years ago

Ricky Gervais has a stab at a pop career. He wanted to be David Bowie. Check out Seona Dancing.

79points

#23

The Weirdest Thing Daniel Radcliffe Ever Had To Do To Prepare For A Role Was Wax His Butt

Final score:

199points

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Mad Dragon 2 years ago

He had a scene in Equus where he was completely nude, I assume that’s why.

86points

#24

Well, Apparently He Retired At 19 With $40 Million In The Bank

Final score:

190points

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Paul Davis 2 years ago (edited)

They should have included the original post from the neckbeard that prompted that great response. Without context this makes Frankie look like a douche.

277points

#25

Christopher Walken's Old Friends Called Him Ronnie. His Birth Name Is Ronald

Final score:

174points

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ADHORTATOR 2 years ago

the Master of cool

47points

onionringsworldwide Report

#26

Lorde Has A "Secret" Onion Ring Account Where She Reviews Onion Rings

Ah, the fish and chip shop ring. Humble, honest. Did I miss the crunch of a true battered ring biting into this? Perhaps. But it was perfectly seasoned, and brought joy. 3.8/5.

Final score:

173points

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RandomX123 2 years ago

Lorde of the Onion Rings

176points

#27

Matthew Perry Is Missing Part Of His Middle Finger

Final score:

161points

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Autumn 2 years ago

How did I never notice this? Why didn't they make Monica accidently chop off part of his finger rather than his toe?

114points

#28

After He Didn't Make The Cut For The Backstreet Boys, Chris Kirkpatrick Was The Founding Member Of N'Sync

Final score:

154points

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Pheolei 2 years ago

Looks like BSB didn't want it that way, but for NYSNC he was like it's gonna be me

90points

#29

Dennis Rodman Has 28 Siblings

Final score:

151points

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Atero 2 years ago

Did his parents have any other hobbies ? o0

170points

#30

Elvis Presley Was Actually A Blond

Final score:

151points

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Gin 2 years ago

I'd say it was more a light brown to be honest... Presley-62...60e97e.jpg

79points

#31

Jennifer Lawrence Has H2o Tattooed On Her Hand To Remind Her To Drink More Water

Final score:

150points

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Mitchell 2 years ago

A bit drastic. Carry a water bottle.

73points

#32

Tom Cruise Has A Tooth That Sits Directly In The Middle Of His Face. Once You See It, You'll Never Un-See It

Final score:

145points

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David K 2 years ago

And he also has a black line in the middle of his face which I find quite fascinating.

429points

#33

Before Going Solo, Britney Spears Was In An All-Female Group Called Innosense

Final score:

140points

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Jerry Mathers 2 years ago

They broke up because they made nocents

182points

#34

This Is What Stevie From Malcolm In The Middle Looks Like Today

Final score:

125points

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Eppe 2 years ago

That............ is............. awesome...............

73points

#35

Limp Bizkit Were Originally Going To Be Called Blood Fart

Final score:

122points

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AnnaBanana 2 years ago

Ewww, really??

58points

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#36

Angelina Jolie Wanted To Be A Funeral Director

Final score:

38points

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StayClassy 2 years ago

That seems pretty on brand for her early days

23points

#37

Rachel Mcadams Has A Sister Who Looks Exactly Like Her Named Kayleen Mcadams

Final score:

34points

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Sasha Kuleshov 2 years ago

Not exactly :O

34points

#38

Eddie Murphy Has 10 Children

Final score:

34points

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Otter 2 years ago

By how many women?

21points

#39

Scarlett Johansson Has A Twin Brother Named Hunter

Final score:

33points

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Heather Lambie 2 years ago

🤷🏻‍♀️?

11points

#40

Harry Styles Has Four Nipples

Final score:

33points

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Nathaniel 2 years ago

They are called his band mates.

89points

#41

The Rock Eats And Documents His Enormous "Cheat" Meals

Final score:

32points

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James016 2 years ago

I require that sushi

14points

#42

Soon After Moving To New York City, Madonna Worked At A Dunkin' Donuts. She Was Fired After One Week For Messing With The Jelly Machine

Final score:

32points

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cybermerlin2000 2 years ago

I want to know what she was doing to the machine. Enquiring minds must know

32points

#43

Tim Allen's Mugshot After Being Arrested For Possession Of Over 650 Grams 1.43 Lb Of Cocaine. 1978

Final score:

30points

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Tobias Reaper 2 years ago

he looks like justin long with a mustache

28points

#44

These Are Some Of Taylor Swift's First Myspace Pictures

Final score:

28points

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(T)reacherou(S) 2 years ago

I love the picture with her and Abigail!!

6points

#45

The Spice Girls Were Originally Named Touch

Final score:

27points

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Mariah Noel 2 years ago

Weird innit?

10points

#46

Vince Vaughn Is Missing Part Of His Thumb

Final score:

27points

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Buren 2 years ago

Dude's nails are everywhere

11points

#47

Beyoncé Got An Insect Named After Her

It happened in 2012, when researchers in Australia discovered a new species of horse fly. So they named it "Scaptia Beyonceae," apparently because of the golden hairs on the fly's abdomen. Researchers even claimed that the rare horse fly is the "All-time diva of flies"

beyonce Report

Final score:

26points

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Otter 2 years ago (edited)

Either the people who name insects have the weirdest senses of humor, or they figure nobody outside the field will ever notice! Seriously, if you ever want to completely waste some times, start looking up bizarro insect names. There's a spider named "Calponia harrisonfordi", the "gelea rol" beetle, the Pleasing Fungus Beetle, various species of Crazy Ant and Poodle Moths...

17points

#48

Cate Blanchett With Her Husband Adopted Baby Girl In 2015

Final score:

26points

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Otter 2 years ago

Is it just me, or does that child look like a supermodel in the making?

61points

#49

AOC's Nickname Is Sandy

Final score:

25points

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Trond Øien 2 years ago

Ms. Ocasio-Cortez is awesome imho.

33points

#50

This Was Shaq's First Tweet

Final score:

25points

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Quaumsy 2 years ago

, that is the real SHAQUILLE O’NEAL

7points

#51

Simon Cowell Polished Jack Nicholson's Axe On The Set Of 'The Shining'

Final score:

25points

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Nathaniel 2 years ago

Sounds like a euphemism.

95points

#52

Martha Stewart Started Out As A Fashion Model

Final score:

24points

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Nadine Bamberger 2 years ago

Orange, almost prophetic.

11points

#53

Before She Was A Reality Star, Kim Kardashian Was Paris Hilton's Stylist And Professional Closet Organizer

Final score:

24points

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Caro Caro 2 years ago

Useless woman has useless job for other useless woman. WOW

105points

#54

Anne Hathaway Thought Catwoman Audition Was Originally For Harley Quinn

Final score:

24points

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Suzi Q 2 years ago

I love this picture. It looks like something from the JFK Camelot era.

17points

#55

Hannah Montana Was Almost Called Alexis Texas

Final score:

23points

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Nathaniel 2 years ago

Ramona Arizona?

47points

#56

Before Shooting The Friends Pilot Episode, Jennifer Aniston Turned Down Being A Cast Member On Saturday Night Live

Final score:

23points

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Paul Davis 2 years ago

I'm dead certain SNL wouldn't have made good use of her

16points

#57

Ashton Kutcher Has Webbed Toes

Final score:

23points

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IlovemydogShilo 2 years ago

So do I. Pity I can't swim.

8points

#58

Luke Perry Has A Son Named Jack

Final score:

21points

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Alicia M 2 years ago

I absolutely see the resemblance but never knew Luke had a son.

6points

#59

There Also Used To Be Another Spice Girl Named Michelle

Final score:

20points

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Robert T 2 years ago

There is a joke that if ever Joanna Lumley joined The Spice Girls, she'd be "Old Spice". Poor Joanna, they are so cruel to you. :'-(

3points

#60

Zac Effron Used To Have A "Yolo" Tattoo

Final score:

20points

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Otter 2 years ago

I live in Yolo County, California. It's a real place.

13points

#61

This What Billy From School Of Rock Looks Like Today

Final score:

18points

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Mercy Wanjiru 2 years ago

adorable....

5points

#62

Ashton Kutcher's Real First Name Is Christopher

Final score:

16points

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Milan 2 years ago

“Kutcher”, when pronouncing in slovak language, it means “Duck”. Maybe he has a czechoslovak heritage 😀😃😃

4points

#63

The Goo Goo Dolls Were Originally Named The Sex Maggots

Final score:

15points

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Paul C. 2 years ago

Iris, one of the greatest songs that most people don't remember.....until they hear it and go, Oh! that one.

23points

#64

Ed Sheeran Has A Giant Lion Tattooed On His Chest

Final score:

15points

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Maiun 2 years ago

You'd think with all his money he'd have gone to a better tattoo artist - if that's really him.

39points

#65

Tyra Banks Suffers From Delfiniphobia (Aka A Fear Of Dolphins)

Final score:

11points

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Joanne O'Brien 2 years ago

Why? What did dolphins do to her?

18points

#66

Calvin Harris's Real Name Is Adam. Like, That's What Taylor Swift Called Him When They Were Dating

Final score:

10points

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Incitatus 2 years ago

Calvin Harris?

0points

#67

Taylor Hanson Has Seven Children, Zac Hanson Has Four Kids, Isaac Hanson Has Three Kids

For those not keeping track, that means there are currently 14 spawn of Hanson.

taylorhanson Report

Final score:

10points

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cybermerlin2000 2 years ago

Sounds like a threat

18points

#68

Tom Cruise Went To Seminary School As A Boy. He Could Have Been A Priest

Final score:

9points

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Ben 2 years ago

Did you know Tom Cruise has n tooth right in the center of his face

73points

#69

Katy Perry Collects Celebrity Hair

Final score:

8points

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Artsy Bookworm 2 years ago

Does she go around with scissors and like, "Ooh I don't have that person's hair! Let me just snip!"

20points

#70

Oprah Has A Bathtub That’s Shaped Like Her Body

Final score:

3points

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kristina law 2 years ago

😑🙄

32points

#71

This Is Kourtney Kardashian's Children's Playhouse

Final score:

0points

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Naomi Pollock 2 years ago

This made me angry and very sad.

37points

#72

Grimes Legally Changed Her Name From Claire To c In 2018. The Lowercase Is Intentional

Final score:

-8points

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Marette 2 years ago

Now she's inflicting the same stupidity on her children...

47points