Kim Basinger defined Hollywood glamour in the 1980s and 90s. She transitioned from a successful modeling career to become an Oscar-winning actress. Furthermore, she starred in some of the highest-grossing films of her era. Consequently, her life off-screen has been just as dramatic and interesting as her movie roles. Explore these fascinating details about the star.
Kim Basinger
In 1989, Kim Basinger ambitiously bought the town of Braselton, Georgia. However, she eventually had to sell the property at a significant loss. Therefore, her dream of building a movie studio there never came true.
Interestingly, her failed investment inspired the hit show Schitt’s Creek. Specifically, the creators read about how she purchased the town for 20 million dollars. Consequently, they developed the comedy series based on the idea of a wealthy family owning a small town.
Unfortunately, she suffers from severe agoraphobia. For instance, she once stayed inside her house for six months because she felt too afraid to leave. Eventually, she had to relearn how to drive a car after undergoing therapy.
At one point, she dated Prince and recorded an album with him. During the filming of Batman, the two had a passionate relationship. Furthermore, they produced an album called Hollywood Affair, although it was never released to the public.
Surprisingly, she turned down the lead role in the classic movie Sleepless in Seattle. She read the script and thought the premise of falling in love over the radio was unrealistic. As a result, the movie became a massive success without her participation.
Early in her career, Kim Basinger threw her modeling portfolio into the East River. Although she was a top model for the Ford agency, she actually hated the profession. Thus, to mark her transition into acting, she tossed her professional photos into the water.
Before she became a movie star, she was the face of Breck Shampoo. In fact, she appeared in numerous magazine ads and TV commercials for the brand. Consequently, her blonde hair made her one of the most recognizable models in the country.
Eventually, she won an Oscar for her role in L.A. Confidential. Critics praised her performance as Lynn Bracken, a Veronica Lake look-alike. Moreover, this victory proved she was a serious actress and not just a sex symbol.
She met her second husband, Alec Baldwin, on a movie set. They played lovers in the film The Marrying Man. However, their subsequent marriage and divorce became intense tabloid fodder for many years.
Despite her fame, she is extremely shy by nature. As a child, her parents even had her tested for autism because she refused to talk in school. Similarly, she struggled to speak during her Oscar acceptance speech due to stage fright.
She played a Bond girl in Never Say Never Again. Specifically, she starred opposite Sean Connery in his final appearance as James Bond. Subsequently, this role helped launch her career as a major international sex symbol.
Additionally, she is a strict vegetarian and animal rights activist. Therefore, she has posed for several PETA anti-fur campaigns to raise awareness. She often credits her youthful appearance to her plant-based diet.
She played Eminem’s mother in the movie 8 Mile. Reportedly, she took the gritty role to challenge herself as an actress. The rapper praised her performance, and consequently, they maintained a friendship after filming ended.
Her father was a big band musician. Don Basinger played jazz in the army, and as a result, he influenced her love for music. This background helped her later when she sang in various movie roles throughout her career.
Finally, she washed her own hair for her Batman audition. To explain, she wanted to look disheveled and frantic like the character Vicki Vale. The director loved her messy look, and he cast her immediately.
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Jim Carrey is the king of physical comedy and slapstick humor. However, the man behind the rubber face has a surprisingly deep and complex history. For instance, he experienced severe poverty and homelessness as a child. Furthermore, he is an incredibly talented painter who creates massive works of art. Consequently, his journey to stardom inspires millions of fans. Therefore, get ready to explore the life of this Canadian icon. You will see him differently.
Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey once wrote himself a check for ten million dollars. specifically, he dated it for Thanksgiving 1995 to visualize his future success. He achieved this goal.
His family lived in a yellow Volkswagen van for a time. Because his father lost his job, they faced homelessness during his teenage years.
He dropped out of high school to help his family. In fact, he worked eight-hour shifts as a janitor in a factory to pay the bills.
The yellow suit in The Mask has a special origin. Actually, his mother made him a similar polyester suit for his early stand-up comedy acts.
Tupac Shakur was his prison pen pal. Surprisingly, Jim Carrey wrote funny letters to the rapper to cheer him up while he was incarcerated.
He became the first actor to earn 20 million dollars for a single film. The Cable Guy broke salary records in Hollywood in 1996.
Jim Carrey is a prolific painter and sculptor. Consequently, he spends days in his studio creating colorful art to process his emotions.
He practiced intense method acting for Man on the Moon. He refused to break character as Andy Kaufman, which frustrated the crew greatly.
Saturday Night Live rejected his audition twice. Ironically, he later hosted the show multiple times after he became a superstar.
He wrote a children’s book called How Roland Rolls. The story explores serious philosophical themes about interconnection and existence.
Canada issued a postage stamp with his face on it. Thus, the country honored him as one of its most successful exports.
He swore off medication for his depression. Instead, he uses spirituality and vitamins to manage his mental health today.
The Grinch makeup was torture to wear. Therefore, a CIA expert taught him techniques to endure the pain of the prosthetics.
He holds dual citizenship. Although he became a U.S. citizen in 2004, he proudly kept his Canadian status.
Finally, he retired from acting recently. He stated that he has “done enough” and wants to live a quiet life.
Marilyn Monroe remains the ultimate symbol of Hollywood glamour. You likely recognize her platinum hair and flying white dress instantly. However, the woman behind the smile was complex and incredibly intelligent. She fought for equal pay in a male-dominated industry and started her own company. Furthermore, she used her fame to break down racial barriers in music. Her life was a mix of dazzling lights and deep shadows. Let’s explore the life of Norma Jeane.
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was actually a natural brunette. However, she bleached her hair to achieve that iconic platinum look. Consequently, she had to treat her hair constantly to maintain the bright color.
She owned a personal library containing over 400 books. Surprisingly, she loved reading complex authors like James Joyce and Dostoyevsky. Therefore, she was far more intellectual than her movie roles suggested.
She formed her own production company to fight powerful studios. Marilyn Monroe Productions allowed her to control her own career. Thus, she became one of the first women in Hollywood to manage her own business.
Joe DiMaggio sent fresh roses to her grave three times a week. He kept this promise for twenty years after she died. Sadly, he never remarried because he loved her until the end.
The dress she wore to sing for President Kennedy was incredibly tight. In fact, seamstresses had to sew the fabric directly onto her body. As a result, she wore absolutely nothing underneath the sparkling gown.
Her famous breathy voice was actually a tactic to stop stuttering. A speech therapist taught her to breathe rhythmically to control the speech impediment. Eventually, this coping mechanism became her signature sound.
Studios paid Marilyn Monroe much less than her co-stars. For example, Jane Russell earned ten times more for Gentlemen Prefer Blondes. Nevertheless, Marilyn remained the bigger star of the film.
She was an early adopter of yoga in the United States. She practiced poses to stay fit long before it became a trend. Furthermore, she openly discussed her fitness routine in interviews.
Truman Capote wanted her to play Holly Golightly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s. He wrote the story with her specifically in mind. However, the studio cast Audrey Hepburn, which disappointed the author significantly.
She helped Ella Fitzgerald break racial barriers at a popular nightclub. Marilyn promised to sit in the front row every night if the owner booked Ella. Consequently, the press went wild, and Ella’s career skyrocketed.
Frank Sinatra gave her a maltese terrier named Mafia. She affectionately called the little dog “Maf” for short. It lived a life of luxury with her during her final years.+1
Medical records prove she underwent secret plastic surgery. A doctor inserted a cartilage implant into her chin early in her career. Additionally, she slightly altered the tip of her nose.+2
She mastered the art of makeup to reshape her face. She applied five different shades of red lipstick to create depth. Thus, her lips looked fuller without any injections.
The FBI kept a detailed file on Marilyn Monroe. They monitored her because of her marriage to playwright Arthur Miller. Officials worried about her potential ties to communism during the Cold War.
She found it impossible to memorize lines for her movies. Sometimes, it took her 60 takes to deliver a simple sentence. This habit frustrated her directors and co-stars immensely.
