He crashed nineteen times. And is believed to have fractured over 400 bones. He created his own legend as death-defying showman. But behind the heroic facade was a darker story. An overpowering vanity. And an arrogance that would lead to his ultimate downfall. Pure Evel: American Legend, Discovery 2014
From his late teens he drifted into a life of petty crimes and protection rackets. ibid.
We humans are naturally disposed to worship gods and heroes, to build our pantheons and Valhallas. I would rather see that impulse directed into the adoration of daft singers, thicko footballers and air-headed screen actors than into the veneration of dogmatic zealots, fanatical preachers, militant politicians and rabid cultural commentators. Stephen Fry, The Fry Chronicles
Celebrity is the chastisement of merit and the punishment of talent. Emily Dickinson
There is no such thing as notoriety in the United States these days, let alone infamy. Celebrity is all. Christopher Hitchens
The film festival measured a mile in length, from the Martinez to the Vieux Port, where sales executives tucked into their platters of fruits de mer, but was only fifty yards deep. For a fortnight the Croisette and its grand hotels willingly became a facade, the largest stage set in the world. Without realizing it, the crowds under the palm trees were extras recruited to play their traditional roles. As they cheered and hooted, they were far more confident than the film actors on display, who seemed ill at ease when they stepped from their limos, like celebrity criminals ferried to a mass trial by jury at the Palais, a full-scale cultural Nuremberg furnished with film clips of the atrocities they had helped to commit. J G Ballard, Super-Cannes
A kind of banalization of celebrity has occurred: we are now offered an instant, ready-to-mix fame as nutritious as packet soup. J G Ballard, The Atrocity Exhibition
The absolute truth is that there is no power in celebrity. Bill Cosby
I think any celebrity that adopts a child from a third world country is a fool. Joan Rivers
It annoys me when people have a go at celebrity. Like poor Noel Edmonds. The Office UK: Christmas Special I David, BBC 2003
Whitney and her husband R&B star Bobby Brown spectacularly and publicly fell from grace. But was it Bobby’s influence or Whitney’s secret moods that triggered the downfall? Whitney & Bobby: Addicted to Love, Channel 5 2015
Whitney’s private love was a complicated affair ... The press soon learned of Whitney’s relationship with Robyn and began to speculate. ibid.
She had been taking drugs since her late teens. ibid.
Whitney appeared to open up about everything with Oprah – the drugs and her marriage. ibid.
‘She couldn’t entertain a dead rat.’ ibid. Australian woman after concert
The cycle of drug abuse started again. ibid.
The most famous American celebrity ever charged with murder. The Secret Tapes of O J Simpson, CI 2015
Celebrities actually have a weak effect on baby names. Steven D Levitt & Stephen J Dubner, Freakonomics
Meet billionaire businessman Donald Trump. He’s always provided Americans with entertainment … He’s lived his life as a caricature. The Mad World of Donald Trump, Channel 4 2016
‘I shouldn’t have to deal with what I’m dealing with right now which is all based on some complete lies.’ Last Days of George Michael, Channel 5 2017, George
He was adored around the world yet he died alone, but who was the real George Michael? … A very private superstar. ibid.
Christmas Day 2016: George Michael is found dead alone in bed at his country home. ibid.
Although police said it wasn’t suspicious the cause of death was unexplained. Further tests were needed. ibid.
‘The press can write what they like in the modern context of news.’ ibid. George
‘Dilated Cardiomyopathy with Myocarditis and Fatty Liver’. ibid. death certificate
For years he had been giving millions of pounds to those in need, almost all of it anonymously. ibid.
Bombshell, gold-digger, a celebrity, train-wreck, everyone thinks they know the story of Anna Nicole Smith: ‘was it suicide or didn’t somebody kill her? True Crime with Aphrodite Jones s2e2: Anna Nicole Smith, ID 2011
The tabloids couldn’t get enough of her. ibid.
She was also deeply reliable on powerful prescription drugs. ibid.
A Bahamian inquest eventually ruled that Daniel Smith had died of an accidental overdose. ibid.
Bill Cosby, one of the greatest America entertainers of the last fifty years, is due to stand trial accused of sexual assault. Cosby is an American icon, a brilliant comedian who broke down racial barriers on American television. Bill Cosby: Fall of an American Icon, BBC 2017
Cosby is standing trial for a single case of sexual assault but dozens of other women claim he attacked them too. His alleged victims say he is a serial rapist who hid behind a brilliant public persona. For half a century, Bill Cosby’s reputation has remained untarnished until now. ibid.
The Cosby Show was the top rated show on American television. ibid.
‘In Hollywood we all knew he was a serial cheater.’ ibid. Viola Pryor
The now 67-year-old Cosby was about to suffer the first blow to his formidable reputation. Major news networks reported that a woman had come forward with a serious accusation against him. ibid.
‘On December 30th 2015 Bill Cosby was arrested and accused of aggravated, indecent assault.’ Bill Cosby: An American Scandal, Jarrett Ferentino, attorney, ID 2017
The story of Bill Cosby begins in 1937 … ‘Cosby grew up in the Projects in Philadelphia … his father was in the Navy also had problems with alcohol.’ ibid.
In the 1970s he’s spending time at one of the most exclusive homes in America: the Playboy mansion. ibid.
By the end of The Cosby Show’s all-conquering run Bill had amassed a fortune in excess of $400 million. ibid.
Cosby then takes his [parenting] message on a cross-country tour. ibid.
At the start of 2015 over 30 women accused Bill Cosby of drugging and abusing them. ibid.
‘Suge Knight stands in front of me with a gun in his waistband.’ Facing Suge Knight s1e4, National Geographic 2016
‘Accused of a fatal hit and run.’ ibid. news
‘He was a deviant.’ ibid. friend
‘That was basically the demise of our marriage: Suge was out of control.’ ibid. ex-wife
Oh, celebrities, when will you ever learn how to behave? Surely they must know by now that they cannot get away with anything? These are the shocking stories of sex, drugs, and dry-cleaning. From presidents to posh-boys whether you’re Hollywood royalty or actual royalty: tonight we’re looking back at some of the most shocking scandals from the last four decades. Named & Shamed: Greatest Celeb Scandals, Channel 5 2017
Hugh Grant: In 1995 Hugh’s reputation took a bit of a blow when he was arrested for lewd conduct in a public place. ibid.
Cheryl (Cole) was just plain Cheryl Tweedy and a bust-up in the bogs resulted in a shameful trip to court: 2002. ibid.
Ryan Giggs: tried to keep his shenanigans a secret. ibid.
Her Majesty: Squidgygate, Camillagate, all of the children’s marriages went up in smoke as did Windsor castle … A taxing year indeed. ibid.
Kate Moss: It was all about the nose for our next celeb. ibid.
In 1985 the papers revealed Grantham’s dirty past: he’d served time in prison for murdering a German taxi driver. ibid.
Frank Bough: In 1988 Frank’s career came crashing down as he was caught in a compromising position … ‘I took drugs with vice girls’ … ‘He got caught again.’ ibid.
Prince Charles 1992: The shocking transcript … Tampongate. ibid.
Justin Bieber: ‘He grew up to be a brat.’ ibid.
Angus Deayton: Caught in a tabloid sting fratanising with a vice girl in a hotel and taking cocaine. ibid.
Rebecca Loos: David Beckham’s PA in Madrid. ibid.
Bill Clinton: No-one can resist fiddling with the help … The whole thing left a bad taste in the mouth. ibid.