Why do people care when celebrities pass away?

[Anonymous]

I think it also has to do with being a reminder that those from your youth have started dying.

Existentially threatening.

[Anonymous]

I get what you're saying OP. For me when a celebrity passes whether it be suddenly or after a long illness, or age - of course I'm shocked and sad, but that feeling passes quickly because I didn't know them. I find it fascinating that total strangers go to person's home or their star on the walk of fame to pay homage, drop off flowers, cry and hug the other total strangers around them. We/they don't personally know the celebrity, and I feel as though these actions of public "mourning" turns into making it about themselves, and not at all about the person who passed. Look at me and how sad I am. Dunno, I'll never understand it but to each their own.

[Anonymous]

I think it's especially understandable when someone like Matthew Perry dies. Not only the cultural touchstone thing mentioned by one of the first posters, but also because he was public about his addiction in such a brave, raw and honest way. That idea that we don't really know celebrities applies a little less to Matthew Perry because he showed us who he is. He tried so hard, and despite his addiction, you never heard anything negative about his treatment of other people. He seemed to be beloved by the people who knew him best. He made us root for him.

[Anonymous]

I wasn't a big fan of Matthew Perry in particular, but it still felt shocking to learn that he passed away, because "Friends" was such a huge part of pop culture.

[Anonymous]

You don’t understand how people care for other people they’ve never met? You don’t understand how people become attached to actors, musicians, and other celebrities that have entertained them over the years?

I don’t even believe you, OP. What a stupid thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I get what you're saying OP. For me when a celebrity passes whether it be suddenly or after a long illness, or age - of course I'm shocked and sad, but that feeling passes quickly because I didn't know them. I find it fascinating that total strangers go to person's home or their star on the walk of fame to pay homage, drop off flowers, cry and hug the other total strangers around them. We/they don't personally know the celebrity, and I feel as though these actions of public "mourning" turns into making it about themselves, and not at all about the person who passed. Look at me and how sad I am. Dunno, I'll never understand it but to each their own.

I agree with this. I think it can be different if an actor dies while in the middle of working on a series, especially if it is a tragic and unexpected death, like Cory Montieth or Phil Hartman. Then it has such a lasting impact on the show as well, and it may make it difficult to continue to watch.

[Anonymous]

How can you NOT be a little saddened when someone you’ve watched for years dies?

[Anonymous]

I don’t care at all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Showing my age…
When Lucille Ball died I cried. I remembered all the times I watched it with my brother and mom and the times we laughed together.

Pretty sure I’ll cry when Julie Andrews dies for the same reasons. Brings back memories with loved ones.

I remember my mother picking us up early from daycare crying the day Elvis died. She was a little extra with all that. but there were a lot of tears that day.

[Anonymous]

Because they live their life in the public eye and we see the pain or struggles they go thru Ala Michael Jackson. Even my foreign relatives cried for him remembering him

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wasn't a big fan of Matthew Perry in particular, but it still felt shocking to learn that he passed away, because "Friends" was such a huge part of pop culture.

Him and Jen Aniston never had kids. Not sure about the rest except Courtney cox.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wasn't a big fan of Matthew Perry in particular, but it still felt shocking to learn that he passed away, because "Friends" was such a huge part of pop culture.

Him and Jen Aniston never had kids. Not sure about the rest except Courtney cox.

Kudrow, Schwimmer, and LeBlanc each have one child too.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I hope this doesn’t sound too callous. With Matthew Perry’s death I am seeing all these people posting about how much they loved him - people who have never met him. If you’re one of these people, what drives your attachment to pop culture figures you don’t actually know?

When everyone finds out what these creatures are and what they did no one will ever care about them again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Entertainment provides almost every person in the world a chance to relax, de-stress, take a break from work....however you want to classify it. Entertainment is prevelant in almost EVERYONE's lives. Sure, there may be a few of you snobs out there that claim to never watch TV, or watch sports, or any of that stuff, but you are an extreme minority (and probably a bit dishonest).

Television, music, sports, art.....all the various forms of entertainment that gets entwined in our lives is important. It's relevant. We don't need to know a person personnally to have an attachment to them. Matthew Perry probably brought more joy to strangers lives than the OP brings to the members of their own family.

That last sentence is uncalled for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I hope this doesn’t sound too callous. With Matthew Perry’s death I am seeing all these people posting about how much they loved him - people who have never met him. If you’re one of these people, what drives your attachment to pop culture figures you don’t actually know?

When everyone finds out what these creatures are and what they did no one will ever care about them again.

Say what?