Regardless of the validity of the claims and suggestions there, it made me wonder which of the leading men of the past had the longest stretch of active work that could be regarded as star quality or big box office or whatever. Much of that will be subjective and will vary by individual tastes. But maybe we can create a list of the big names who have had long stretches.
And there’s no reason to leave out the women either.
Here are a couple of starter lists:
Gregory Peck
John Wayne
Spencer Tracy
Robert Mitchum
Clint Eastwood
Meryl Streep
Elizabeth Taylor
Bette Davis
Katharine Hepburn
Diane Keaton
I was thinking along these lines just this morning. How long do you get to be called a movie star after your last big hit? Is Melanie Griffith a movie star or a former star who is now a movie actress.
What’s the definition of “big name movie star”? Gene Hackman has worked pretty steadily for over 40 years, but I think of him more as an accomplished actor than a “movie star”
I think Clooney and Pitt will get work as long as they want it, particulalry because they both own production companies (don’t they?)
I saw the headline linked in the OP. My reaction was to wonder in what sense replace is meant. Are Clooney and Pitt’s stars fading? Are their fans trading them in to become fans of Ryan Reynolds and Taylor Lautner? I don’t quite see it that way. (I’ve liked reynolds since Two Guys… but have no interest in the Green Lantern) Or is it that who is considered a big name movie star or A-lister is determined by who has the most 18-25 year old fans?
Though, even he is now retired, having not appeared in a film since 2004 (though he did voiceover work for Lowe’s ads for a number of years after that).