# Do you let your personal feeling about an actor affect whether you watch their shows/movies? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 27, 2010, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552 "2010-12-27T22:26:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/21 "2010-12-28T17:05:42Z")
I never have seen nor ever will see a movie by Woody Allen. I hated that smarmy bastard before the whole Mia/Soon-Yi scandal. ---
**Author:** ![stylecramper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6de8d8/32.png) [@stylecramper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stylecramper)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 5:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/22 "2010-12-28T17:23:16Z")
Ben Stiller. Do not want. Conversely, I would be willing to watch film of the following actors on a trip to the grocery store…they are that compelling to me. Robert Downey Jr. George Clooney Brendan Gleeson ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/23 "2010-12-28T17:33:38Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > I never have seen nor ever will see a movie by Woody Allen. I hated that smarmy bastard before the whole Mia/Soon-Yi scandal. I actually agree. This, and I think he is highly over-rated. I actually don’t want anything to do with any movie made by or featuring Roman Polanski. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 5:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/24 "2010-12-28T17:45:37Z")
Not only do I try not to have personal feelings about persons I’ve not met, but I try to learn as little as possible about the private lives of actors, authors, directors, singers, and so forth. So no, it rarely does – except that if it’s the person’s artistic syle that bothers me (say Martin Lawrence), I obviously don’t watch his work. I make my movie-making decisions more on the director than the actors anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 5:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/25 "2010-12-28T17:54:08Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > I was okay with Julia Roberts until she jumped on Denzel Washington at the Oscars. Make it all about you, lady, that’s the ticket. What did she do? ---
**Author:** ![crypto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/b3f665/32.png) [@crypto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/crypto)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 6:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/26 "2010-12-28T18:14:36Z")
This is a big issue for me. I don’t much care to follow their politics (I prefer all actors shut their mouths and keep their political opinions to themselves, but that isn’t happening). So Mel Gibson, for example, doesn’t bother me. I can watch a movie he is in. However, there are certain actors/actresses I can’t stand and go out of my way to never see them again. The list includes many already mentioned: Ben Stiller (who looks like a chimp to me), Adam Sandler (except Happy Gilmore), and Jennifer Aniston are examples of folks I avoid if I can, Nick Cage and Sarah Jessica Parker are two people I absolutely loathe, don’t understand their appeal, and will go to great lengths not to watch their movies. SJP especially seems like a smug, smarmy, self-entitled bitch who really has no idea how ugly she is. I can’t stand looking at her, not to mention hearing her voice. Her damn lisp, that growth on her chin, her resemblance to Dee Snyder all make me quite irritated. Cage is the same way. You can take him out of any of his movies and insert him in another and he won’t miss a beat. He really doesn’t act. He’s just there, delivering lines, maybe with a different haircut from his last movie and that’s it. Writing dialog for him must be tough. He’s not attractive, he doesn’t carry a movie very well by himself, always sounds half in the bag, and his eyes are always half-shut. That worked wonders in Leaving Las Vegas. Oscar! But that same character hasn’t worked on anything else. Now Tom Cruise, who I think is a nutbag, I can watch. And I have watched him over and over. I think he’s a good leading man, so even if I find him a bit strange, I can watch a movie with him in it. My list is long, but Cage and Parker top my male/female crew. ---
**Author:** ![Baker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bb73d2/32.png) [@Baker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Baker)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 6:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/27 "2010-12-28T18:40:34Z")
> [@Daylate](#): > > Can’t stand to even look at a photo of Hanoi Jane. That’s whom I came in to mention. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 6:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/28 "2010-12-28T18:46:44Z")
> [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](#): > > What did she do? It was a literal jump. Julia jumped on him (wrapped her legs around his middle) when he came on stage to accept his Oscar. He handled it well, but I heard “Get off me, bitch” in my head. ---
**Author:** ![Ellen\_Cherry](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellen_cherry/32/3600_2.png) [@Ellen\_Cherry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ellen_Cherry)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/29 "2010-12-28T18:59:11Z")
Altered spellings in title to reflect correct usage. (effect/affect; there/their) Trying to make the world a better place, Ellen ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanub/32/132_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUB)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/30 "2010-12-28T19:05:58Z")
I always “proudly” come into these threads to say that I don’t give a fat rat’s ass about the private lives of actors / directors. I’m a card carrying Jew and don’t care about Mel the bigot. I’ve seen a psychotherapist and taken an array of drugs for depression and Tom Cruise doesn’t bother me in the least. I assume I don’t have to say I’m fully against child molestation and Roman Polansky remains one of my favorites. But I just saw an articel about Michael Vick and I remember saying when it was time for him to get picked for a new team that if he ended up on the Bucs I would not watch much less attend any of their games. So I guess I’m not as open minded as I’d like to think. ---
**Author:** ![Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecccb3/32.png) [@Skald\_the\_Rhymer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Skald_the_Rhymer)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/31 "2010-12-28T19:11:15Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > It was a literal jump. Julia jumped on him (wrapped her legs around his middle) when he came on stage to accept his Oscar. He handled it well, but I heard “Get off me, bitch” in my head. Hmm. I wonder if he were not thinking, rather, “I told you while we were shooting that my wife is a crack shot, Julia. Be discreet!” Were you vexed when … let me think .. Adrian Brody planted a big wet one on Halle Berry at an awards show? ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/32 "2010-12-28T19:16:19Z")
> [@WOOKINPANUB](#): > > I’m a card carrying Jew Wow, just a card? Man, the requirements for being a Jew sure have gotten a _lot_ less stringent since I last looked into it. ---
**Author:** ![FordTaurusSHO94](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/f07891/32.png) [@FordTaurusSHO94](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FordTaurusSHO94)\ **Post date:** [December 28, 2010, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/33 "2010-12-28T19:36:24Z")
I don’t know why, but I can’t stand Richard Gere. ---
**Author:** ![FallenAngel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/5daacb/32.png) [@FallenAngel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FallenAngel)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/34 "2010-12-29T23:13:40Z")
Yep. Sean Penn is an exceptional actor, but I won’t watch a thing he’s in anymore. His love and admiration for Hugo Chavez sicken me. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2010, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/35 "2010-12-29T23:51:40Z")
> [@AuntiePam](#): > > It was a literal jump. Julia jumped on him (wrapped her legs around his middle) when he came on stage to accept his Oscar. He handled it well, but I heard “Get off me, bitch” in my head. I don’t remember her wrapping her legs around his middle, but I remember her effusive hugging and thinking that she should have sat down and clapped like the rest of his friends instead of making a damn fool of herself. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/36 "2010-12-30T00:54:20Z")
Mostly I ignore actors politics. I draw the line at Hanoi Jane. My dad served in Vietnam while she was playing on that VC antii air craft gun. [http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cybersarges.tripod.com/images/HanoiJane2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cybersarges.tripod.com/jfonda.html&usg=\_\_pd3milq1vcBlxrLEUfa-yylU6es=&h=270&w=311&sz=15&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=\_fHUHhdpBFk73M:&tbnh=142&tbnw=164&prev=/images%3Fq%3DHanoi%2BJane%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1143%26bih%3D693%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=708&vpy=228&dur=1426&hovh=209&hovw=241&tx=114&ty=120&ei=GNgbTa\_cOYGdnwfp2szODQ&oei=GNgbTa\_cOYGdnwfp2szODQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0](http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://cybersarges.tripod.com/images/HanoiJane2.jpg&imgrefurl=http://cybersarges.tripod.com/jfonda.html&usg=__pd3milq1vcBlxrLEUfa-yylU6es=&h=270&w=311&sz=15&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=_fHUHhdpBFk73M:&tbnh=142&tbnw=164&prev=/images%3Fq%3DHanoi%2BJane%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-US:official%26biw%3D1143%26bih%3D693%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=708&vpy=228&dur=1426&hovh=209&hovw=241&tx=114&ty=120&ei=GNgbTa_cOYGdnwfp2szODQ&oei=GNgbTa_cOYGdnwfp2szODQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=19&ved=1t:429,r:4,s:0) Her dad served the U.S. in the Navy during WWII. His ship saw combat. Henry Fonda is a favorite of mine. ---
**Author:** ![CanvasShoes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/74df32/32.png) [@CanvasShoes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CanvasShoes)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/37 "2010-12-30T02:12:23Z")
Not so much their politics, though depending upon their behaviour that can play a part, but more what kind of person they are. Can’t stand the skeevy ones, like Jack Nicholson, Ben Stiller, and Will Ferrell, the arrogant, off-their-rocker types like Tom Cruise, and the gorgeous but lifeless actresses like Gweneth Paltrow. I’m also not too crazy about the other fake “retarded boy-man” actors like Jim Carrey and Adam Sandler, but for some reason they don’t trigger the skeeve factor for me. And yes, I’ll still watch some movies with these people in them, but usually I end up deleting them after about 10 minutes because I just can’t get past some “tic” of that particular actors that is pretty much ruining the movie for me. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 3:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/38 "2010-12-30T03:39:51Z")
an actors politics, religion or sexuality doesn’t bother me. ---
**Author:** ![AuntiePam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 5:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/39 "2010-12-30T05:39:26Z")
> [@PunditLisa](#): > > I don’t remember her wrapping her legs around his middle, but I remember her effusive hugging and thinking that she should have sat down and clapped like the rest of his friends instead of making a damn fool of herself. You’re right. I just watched his acceptance speech on Youtube and Roberts didn’t do what I’m remembering. I could’a sworn! I still don’t like her. ---
**Author:** ![SpartanDC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b2d939/32.png) [@SpartanDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SpartanDC)\ **Post date:** [December 30, 2010, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552/40 "2010-12-30T05:56:34Z")
I think Mel’s the only one for me. As far as I know, he’s the only celebrity who’s an outspoken bigot. Of course, that’s also why his career is pretty much non-existent now. Jim Carrey’s jumped on the “vaccines give kids autism” pseudo-science bandwagon, but thanks to _Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind_, my favorite movie of the 2000s, I’m willing to overlook that. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/do-you-let-your-personal-feeling-about-an-actor-affect-whether-you-watch-their-shows-movies/565552.md?page=3)