I really wish it were talent alone that made actors succeed in Hollywood. But (big shocker) looks and "who knows whom" still co-reigns with ability. Some individuals succeed without perfect looks and even with somewhat flawed looks. Interesting perspective here on which body parts of various celebs are most unwanted in Hollywood.


Six Replies to Durante Made A Living With That Nose

Aaron Shurtleff | October 26, 2007
What? No one asks to look like Tori Spelling or Steve Buschemi? I am shocked..I mean..WHAT??! What kind of world are we living in?! That's the super couple, right there. They should have lots of kids, just to put pretty back into the gene pool. ;)

Denise Sawicki | October 26, 2007
Those kinda sites bother me. I never realized I have a big ugly nose until I read one of those kinds of websites a few months ago :P It's something I could have happily gone without knowing. What I mean more generally is, I'm sure these things hurt a lot of people's feelings for no particular purpose... No offense intended to you Steve, it is still an interesting link.

Amy Austin | October 26, 2007
1) "Big ugly" features does not immediately translate to "big ugly person" -- like Steve points out, there are more than a few folks out there who are famous for reasons other than physical perfection... or even more pointedly, *because of* or *despite* their very remarkable IMperfections! The talented ones shine with a kind a charisma and appeal that makes them uniquely attractive, even if not traditionally "beautiful" by Hollywood standards. (And the rest *cough cough* Tori Spelling *cough cough* just make you go "must be nice to have a Daddy Warbucks...") Even though I find this to be more true for men, I still think it should offer a bit of encouragement... not hurt feelings. (Someone should really tell Owen Wilson, though, because I think he's a great comedic talent and worry sometimes that he might be taking the nose thing too hard -- I would really hate to see yet another Belushi/Farley/Jeni go to waste!!!)

2) Two people with "ugly" features does not always add up to one (or more) "really ugly" child... and vice versa. I have seen some of the most butt-ugliest (nobody) parents have the most gorgeous offspring... and I don't think that little miss Shiloh is necessarily safe from the ugly stick just because she's the biological byproduct of the top two of People's "World's Most Beautiful" -- odds may be in her favor, but there is Always at least one "ugly" branch in Anybody's family tree!!!

Steve West | October 26, 2007
No offense, Denise. I'm actually one of those guys that admire a physical "flaw" in the women I'm most attracted to. My brother frequently teases me over a crush I had twenty years ago over Jane Alexander. Go figure. I still think she's a beautiful lady.

Amy Austin | October 26, 2007
Yay, Steve -- I agree!!! But it's obviously quite a personal and subjective kind of thing...

Jackie Mason | October 27, 2007
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Web Junkie

Steve West scours the Web searching for interest or absurdity and then shakes his head ruefully when he finds it. Read more »

Halloween Short Clips

Mark Gervais created this film for Halloween to be broadcast on a home's window. If I saw this in my neighborhood, it would really creep me out and I would give the house a wide berth. Then I'd come back later and watch it a dozen times. Go »

Dumb Celebrity Quotes

Anyone can say something stupid every once in a while, of course. But the celebrities featured on this website sure seem to make a habit of it. Only one quote per customer but they probably make up the usual suspects in the dumb quote hall of shame. Go »

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

At 11:00 a.m., Brenda called me from the school where she works and told me that she had fallen and was unable to drive home. She needed me to 1) find a second driver for her car, 2) come get her and take her to urgent care and 3) make sure that Olivia is taken care of when she arrives home in an hour. Go »

Christmas Post #11: Niche Market Dolls

In Waiting For Guffman, Christopher Guest play acts with his My Dinner With Andre action figures. That was the funniest moment of the film for me. I could see something similar happening with almost any of the dolls in this collection. Go »

Christmas Post #17: Gadgets &Stuff

Cool collection of unusual stuff that would make memorable gifts. I swear I'd love to get my wife that toaster but I've heard too many horror stories of what happens to husbands who purchase appliances for their wives for Christmas. Think I'll wait for Valentine's Day. Go »

Compassion

I haven't posted since the incident in January and used that time to do a lot of soul-searching. A lot of it was fruitless. I told my boss' boss of the circumstances behind my asking for a day off because my boss was vacationing at the time. Go »