# Why the Shia LeBoeuf hype? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 19, 2007, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630 "2007-12-19T22:41:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![BwanaBob](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bwanabob/32/2985_2.png) [@BwanaBob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BwanaBob)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/1 "2007-12-19T22:41:01Z")
I must be missing something here; why does this actor get such street cred? I can’t see anything in his IMDB resume that merits this buzz. He doesn’t have the looks of Brad Pitt so I rule out appearance. I don’t have anything against him, just curious as to why he seems to be so damn popular. What am I not seeing? Thanks. ---
**Author:** ![Argent\_Towers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e8c25b/32.png) [@Argent\_Towers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Argent_Towers)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/2 "2007-12-19T22:43:40Z")
I think at least 50% of it is the fact that he has a memorable name. He’s blandly handsome in a boyish way, but not striking, and I don’t think he’s that amazing of an actor from what I’ve seen him in. ---
**Author:** ![MovieMogul](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f08c70/32.png) [@MovieMogul](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MovieMogul)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/3 "2007-12-19T22:49:43Z")
Essentially, he was seen as almost single-handedly making _Disturbia_ a surprise hit this past spring.\* That, and he rode the _Transformers_ wave adeptly (by simply staying cute and sympathetic amidst all the cacophony), only to get earmarked for the choicest role in town: Indiana Jones Jr.\*\* Next year will be big for him, but he is a decent actor with some indie cred as well, plus, Walmart escapades aside, he’s got a whole Horatio Alger backstory that makes him irresistable to the press. \*Sorry David Morse, but you’re not a B.O. draw \*\*No, I don’t know whether he plays his actual son ---
**Author:** ![MrSquishy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9e5f3/32.png) [@MrSquishy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrSquishy)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/4 "2007-12-19T22:54:36Z")
[QUOTE=Argent Towers] I think at least 50% of it is the fact that he has a memorable name… [/QUOTE] I hate his name. Shia TheBeef. Ugh. ---
**Author:** ![Flander](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Flander](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Flander)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/5 "2007-12-19T22:54:47Z")
The entertainment industry can make anyone a star as long as all the big-wigs collaborate. ---
**Author:** ![grayhairedmomma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/47e85d/32.png) [@grayhairedmomma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/grayhairedmomma)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/6 "2007-12-19T23:00:36Z")
He is a good actor. He was good in the Disney series 'Even Stevens" (not one note like so many of the kid actors) and he was great in the Disney movie ‘Holes’. I think for ‘Transformers’ he channeled his TV series persona a little too much, but he is good. ---
**Author:** ![Vision\_of\_Love](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5f8ce5/32.png) [@Vision\_of\_Love](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Vision_of_Love)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 11:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/7 "2007-12-19T23:44:52Z")
I, too, think he’s a pretty good actor. His roles haven’t been that challenging, but he manages to exude a certain charm and energy onscreen. Even in a film like **Disturbia** (which was surprisingly fun), his acting was a highlight. In **Transformers** , he carried his action-comedy role really well, and never looked unintentionally awkward. I can’t wait to see him in the upcoming Indiana Jones movie. ---
**Author:** ![Wee\_Bairn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/90db22/32.png) [@Wee\_Bairn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wee_Bairn)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/8 "2007-12-20T00:55:55Z")
I wonder the same thing. I find him annoying and think he almost ruined Constantine. ---
**Author:** ![threnodyangelfire](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/ecc23a/32.png) [@threnodyangelfire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/threnodyangelfire)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/9 "2007-12-20T00:59:33Z")
I really liked him in [Holes](http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311289/). ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 2:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/10 "2007-12-20T02:15:08Z")
He isn’t bad in “The Greatest Game Ever Played” either. I think the entertainment industry would like to think they can make anyone a star, unfortunately, they don’t know exactly what is going to hit - so they spread their bets and come up with a “diversified portfolio.” Shia LeBoeuf seems to have a decent head on his shoulders, be not a bad actor, and could be the next Tom Hanks. Or he could disappear. If I were jaded, I’d also think Disney is very interested right now in having some of its child stars make a successful transition to well balanced adult actors - and they have the clout to pull some strings. Lindsey Lohan is a train wreck, former Mouseketeer Brittney Spears has become the poster child for “Trailer Trash.” ---
**Author:** ![Beware\_of\_Doug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/278dde/32.png) [@Beware\_of\_Doug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beware_of_Doug)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/11 "2007-12-20T02:26:44Z")
[QUOTE=Argent Towers] I think at least 50% of it is the fact that he has a memorable name. [/QUOTE] Until I saw his picture, I assumed he was Black and female. I shit you not. ---
**Author:** ![Mahna\_Mahna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e47c2d/32.png) [@Mahna\_Mahna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahna_Mahna)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/12 "2007-12-20T02:29:12Z")
[QUOTE=Wee Bairn] I wonder the same thing. I find him annoying and think he almost ruined Constantine. [/QUOTE] Yes, but that’s because Keanu did a perfectly good job of ruining it all by himself, thankyouverymuch. …sorry, just had to be said. Besides, given a half-decent script, the kid actually demonstrates a fair amount of acting skill and he’s rather charming in a local-boy-makes-good kind of way. Aside from the tour de force that was Megan Fox’s bellybutton, he’s pretty much the only reason to bother renting _Transformers_. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/13 "2007-12-20T03:11:46Z")
Well, he’s popular because he’s being publicized. Publicity, for an actor, isn’t just a function of how popular they are. It’s a function of how much money is put into advertising them. For whatever reason, Shia The Beef has been picked up as a good bet, so they hype him; they get him into Entertainment Tonight, talk shows, and all that kind of crap as much as possible. Sometimes, a young star is heavily touted, and it works out. Sometimes it doesn’t. I still remember when they picked Gretchen Mol to be the “next It girl.” That did not turn out to be the case. I’m betting against Shia The Beef - he’s not particularly talented as an actor and doesn’t have the sort of charisma that would allow him to slot into a character actor role, like you see with Topher Grace. ---
**Author:** ![squeegee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/squeegee/32/14537_2.png) [@squeegee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/squeegee)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/14 "2007-12-20T03:29:49Z")
Second the thumbs-up on this guy’s job in Holes. Great, quirky movie, and LaBeouf played it really understated and well, IIRC. ---
**Author:** ![E-Sabbath](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e19adc/32.png) [@E-Sabbath](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/E-Sabbath)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/15 "2007-12-20T03:33:01Z")
He’s like a young Michael J. Fox! … actually, he kind of is. Got decent talent. ---
**Author:** ![Equipoise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/equipoise/32/151_2.png) [@Equipoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Equipoise)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/16 "2007-12-20T04:50:50Z")
[QUOTE=RickJay] Sometimes, a young star is heavily touted, and it works out. Sometimes it doesn’t. I still remember when they picked Gretchen Mol to be the “next It girl.” That did not turn out to be the case. [/QUOTE] That’s hardly Gretchen Mol’s fault. I think the hype that was unfortunately built around her did her more harm than good. She is a decent actress. I’ve liked her in all the things I’ve seen her in, especially **The Notorious Bettie Page** , where she completely inhabited the role. I like seeing her pop up when I least expect it, such as playing Christian Bale’s wife in **3:10 to Yuma**. I feel bad for her because she not only has to be a working actress, she has to live up to/live down (depending on your point of view) the expectations. In any case, I liked Shia in **Disturbia** and **Transformers** too. They’re the only things I’ve seen him in. I still can’t believe the dumbass got arrested in a Walgreens though. I pass by that Walgreens every time I go to the movies at my favorite theater. I now think of it as “Shia’s Walgreens.” ---
**Author:** ![VinylTurnip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/b2d939/32.png) [@VinylTurnip](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VinylTurnip)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 5:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/17 "2007-12-20T05:32:12Z")
[QUOTE=MrSquishy] I hate his name. Shia TheBeef. Ugh. [/QUOTE] Even worse, really, as (despite the OP’s gracious and possibly inadvertent modification in the thread title) his name is actually “Shia LaBeouf”[sic] Which, as I recall from my French Illiteracy classes, roughly translates to “Shia TEH BEEAF!!@” ---
**Author:** ![fuffle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c37758/32.png) [@fuffle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fuffle)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/18 "2007-12-20T05:47:25Z")
I’ve only seen him in _Transformers_, but I really like him. I like the nerdy, goofy, boy-next-door type, so he’s right up my alley. Plus he seems to have a real sense of humor about himself. I like that. But really I just love saying “Shia THE BEEF!!!” I giggle every time I say it. ---
**Author:** ![Hostile\_Dialect](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e495f1/32.png) [@Hostile\_Dialect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hostile_Dialect)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/19 "2007-12-20T07:24:15Z")
> [@ArchiveGuy](#): > > plus, Walmart escapades aside, he’s got a whole Horatio Alger backstory that makes him irresistable to the press. Details? BTW, is it just me, or is “It Girl” a serious contender for Most Irritating Phrase in the History of Human Society? ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [December 20, 2007, 9:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630/20 "2007-12-20T09:39:48Z")
I think he was launched from the now defunct Project Greenlight. Remember The Battle of Shaker Heights? [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-the-shia-leboeuf-hype/430630.md?page=2)