# Entertainers who sold their soul to the devil... **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 28, 2011, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610 "2011-07-28T13:47:31Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Tom\_Scud](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/f08c70/32.png) [@Tom\_Scud](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Scud)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/41 "2011-07-28T23:49:17Z")
> [@Annie-Xmas](#): > > Keanu Reeves Wish I remembered where I read/heard this, but my understanding is that Reeves shows up on time, knows his lines and marks, and is always sober; and that these qualities are sufficiently rare in Hollywood as to make him a valuable asset. ---
**Author:** ![Crawlspace](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d6d6ee/32.png) [@Crawlspace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crawlspace)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2011, 11:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/42 "2011-07-28T23:52:30Z")
**Dane Cook** went from being an unfunny comedian without a following to an unfunny comedian who sells out stadiums and stars in movies just about over night. He didn’t even have to write any jokes. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/43 "2011-07-29T00:12:34Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Wish I remembered where I read/heard this, but my understanding is that Reeves shows up on time, knows his lines and marks, and is always sober; and that these qualities are sufficiently rare in Hollywood as to make him a valuable asset. Not to mention too…he is one of the few actors in the “no one calls him mean/a dick/douche/diva” club. Some might make fun of his personality or acting style…but as a guy he’s first rate. I came in here wanting to say Bill Mahr or Andy Dick…but since they ARE the devil it’s kinda hard. ---
**Author:** ![BrainGlutton](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/82dd89/32.png) [@BrainGlutton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrainGlutton)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/44 "2011-07-29T00:22:55Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > The devil let him out of the contract. Turns out not even Satan could get him steady work. (He has several upcoming credits actually, but mostly voice work.) Yeah, Steve Guttenberg tells the same story. ---
**Author:** ![Steophan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steophan/32/9595_2.png) [@Steophan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steophan)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/45 "2011-07-29T00:35:26Z")
Stephanie Meyer. ---
**Author:** ![Sitnam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Sitnam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sitnam)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/46 "2011-07-29T01:06:19Z")
Obligatory [Cracked Article](http://www.cracked.com/article_19061_5-artistic-geniuses-who-only-became-great-after-selling-out.html) ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 1:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/47 "2011-07-29T01:07:59Z")
> [@Steophan](#): > > Stephanie Meyer. If authors count, Dan Brown. No way there’s not a smell of sulfur on his publishing contract. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/48 "2011-07-29T01:31:25Z")
> [@Sampiro](#): > > If authors count, Dan Brown. No way there’s not a smell of sulfur on his publishing contract. It’s why he hasn’t written _about_ the devil yet. It’s in his contract. ---
**Author:** ![JoelUpchurch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f05b48/32.png) [@JoelUpchurch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JoelUpchurch)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/49 "2011-07-29T01:35:55Z")
Tom Arnold ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/50 "2011-07-29T02:13:48Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > [Robert Johnson](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson) died at 27. :dubious: His friends heard the “sold his soul at the crossroads” story and thought what really happened was that he took some time off and practiced playing the guitar. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/51 "2011-07-29T02:24:50Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > His friends heard the “sold his soul at the crossroads” story and thought what really happened was that he took some time off and practiced playing the guitar. He really took some time off and learned under the tutelage of[Ike Zinnerman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Johnson#Various_accounts). Son House facetiously explained the difference in his playing by saying Johnson had made a pact with the Devil. Damn, he could play the guitar. 🙂 Keith Richards asked upon listening to a Johnson recording, “Who’s the guy playing with him?” ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/52 "2011-07-29T02:50:07Z")
> [@JoelUpchurch](#): > > Tom Arnold But later he divorced her, didn’t he? ---
**Author:** ![Sampiro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/2acd7d/32.png) [@Sampiro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sampiro)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/53 "2011-07-29T03:14:33Z")
> [@Koxinga](#): > > But later he divorced her, didn’t he? Tom Arnold was interviewed on Piers Morgan earlier this week and claims that in spite of constant reports he received $50 million from Roseanne he in fact didn’t accept any settlement or alimony from her. That surprised me- I always thought he walked away loaded. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/54 "2011-07-29T04:16:57Z")
Walking away a free man or spending one more moment married to that harridan for a few bucks? ETA: Okay, I’d do it. He’s a better man than I am. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![salinqmind](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/3ec8ea/32.png) [@salinqmind](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/salinqmind)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/55 "2011-07-29T04:34:02Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Wish I remembered where I read/heard this, but my understanding is that Reeves shows up on time, knows his lines and marks, and is always sober; and that these qualities are sufficiently rare in Hollywood as to make him a valuable asset. Thank you! I was getting all riled up seeing poor Keanu Reeves being slammed again. Of everyone in show business, he strikes me as far too laid back to be panting for a movie career from the devil. He’d just say, whoa!, whatever, dude, and ride off on his motorcycle. My nomination is the sad, creepy remains of Katie Holmes. The devil (Tom Cruise) married her, spawned a demon child, and promptly made off not only with her soul but her sanity. I’m betting somewhere in what’s left of her mind she is regretting this. ---
**Author:** ![Koxinga](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/4af34b/32.png) [@Koxinga](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Koxinga)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 4:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/56 "2011-07-29T04:42:56Z")
> [@salinqmind](#): > > The devil (Tom Cruise) married her, spawned a demon child, and promptly made off not only with her soul but her sanity. I’m betting somewhere in what’s left of her mind she is regretting this. The scariest thing about this is (I’ve heard) that before they got married, he was on Oprah manically mugging for the camera, grinning and spinning around proclaiming how much he was in love with Katie . . . and when Oprah asked him what was it about Katie he loved so much, he was taken aback _and couldn’t think of a single thing in response_. I guess he started leaping on couches then as a diversion. (OTOH I haven’t seen the clip myself, and I wouldn’t be surprised if this retelling was exaggerated a bit.) ---
**Author:** ![Suburban\_Plankton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suburban_plankton/32/219_2.png) [@Suburban\_Plankton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Suburban_Plankton)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 5:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/57 "2011-07-29T05:05:42Z")
> [@Sr\_Siete](#): > > Fun fact: Keith Richards, like Brian Jones, also died when he was 27. It’s just taking him a longer time to realize it. My understanding is that Keith’s deal was that he got all those extra years that were taken from Jimi, Janis, et. al. He should live until approximately the year 2473. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 5:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/58 "2011-07-29T05:38:26Z")
> [@Tom\_Scud](#): > > Wish I remembered where I read/heard this, but my understanding is that Reeves shows up on time, knows his lines and marks, and is always sober; and that these qualities are sufficiently rare in Hollywood as to make him a valuable asset. I’ve heard that, too - also that he is open to doing whatever the role requires and gives 110%. [He sometimes gets a little sad eating his lunch, though.](http://www.gmanreviews.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Sad-Keanu.jpg) > [@Sir\_T-Cups](#): > > Not to mention too…he is one of the few actors in the “no one calls him mean/a dick/douche/diva” club. Some might make fun of his personality or acting style…but as a guy he’s first rate.\ > [@salinqmind](#): > > Thank you! I was getting all riled up seeing poor Keanu Reeves being slammed again. Of everyone in show business, he strikes me as far too laid back to be panting for a movie career from the devil. He’d just say, whoa!, whatever, dude, and ride off on his motorcycle.\ I get tired of all the Keanu-bashing, too. He has two major strengths - drop-dead gorgeous, and takes roles that play to his strengths (minimize his weaknesses?). ---
**Author:** ![EinsteinsHund](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/einsteinshund/32/8400_2.png) [@EinsteinsHund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EinsteinsHund)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 10:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/59 "2011-07-29T10:30:47Z")
> [@carnivorousplant](#): > > Keith Richards asked upon listening to a Johnson recording, “Who’s the guy playing with him?” I remember that he also said that Johnson must’ve had two brains, but maybe he thought so because old Keef has only half his brain left ;). Don’t take it too seriously. I love the guy. ---
**Author:** ![Diceman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Diceman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diceman)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2011, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610/60 "2011-07-29T16:59:45Z")
> [@Mr.Greenjeans](#): > > My selection (and I imagine there will be some disagreement) is Adam Sandler. I have no other explanation for how someone could go so far in comedy while being so unfunny. Adam Sandler is proof that Jews really do control the media 😃 Seriously, tho, Sandler must be the son of some studio executive. He’s a decent conedian, but not great. Certainly not great enough to warrant the level of fame he has. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/entertainers-who-sold-their-soul-to-the-devil/590610.md?page=4)