A-List vs B-list Criteria

Is there any generally accepted criteria as to what qualifies a celebrity as an “A-Lister?” Some stars are obvious: Brad Pitt, George Clooney, Ewan McGregor. But at what point does a stars’ career fade enough to count as B-list?

I guess not.

When people say, “X? Who’s that?”

It’s part of the life cycle of a Hollywood star:

  1. Who’s John Smith?
  2. Get me John Smith.
  3. Get me a John Smith type.
  4. Get me a young John Smith.
  5. Who’s John Smith?

Once you pass number 4, you’re on the B list.