Would these actors still be popular if alive today?

Basq

Just for something a bit different to discuss..

Basically, I was thinking on my way to work this morning about various actors who have died in the middle (or later stages) of their career and trying to gauge whether they would still be popular and making movies if alive today.

Of course it's all a matter of opinion but i suppose you need take into account their choice of roles in the final stages of their life, and the hype and interest surrounding them.

Two examples which show both sides of the coin..

• John Candy - who could avoid him in the 80's? 'Uncle Buck', 'Planes, Trains And Automobiles' and there's no denying he was talented - both comedically and as a general show-stealer. But his choice of roles in the mid 90's was questionable. His final two films 'Canadian Bacon' and 'Wagon's East' seemed to be flops! I'd say John would have fizzled out but his memory will live on if just for his show-stealing cameos and characters he made his own.
• River Phoenix - probably the most hyped actor of the early 90's. Very young and with a very sparse list on IMDb (compared to most child actors today anyways). But he was very impressive - both his performances in 'Stand By Me' and 'My Own Private Idaho' were stupendous at his age. I'd say River would probably be as popular or even more so than brother Joaquin if alive today. Very sad death!

Odd to say this but I would ideally like a good discussion out of this as i'd love to hear people's own opinions. Put forward your own memories of deceased actors and how you think their career would have went.

AlmightyCushion

Can't really think of any off the top of my head but John Belushi would be one. Toga, Toga, Toga. I don't know how he would fare today though.

Also would love to see what would have became of River. He was a brilliant actor. I loved him in Stand by me (an absolutely brilliant film).

Basq

I can't help but think John Belushi's career probably would have went a similar way to his brother's... but maybe John would have chose his films more carefully whereas Jim would just star in any old crap. Just looking back at John's IMDb page, I forgot he made so few films before his death.

Yeah, the performances in 'Stand By Me' were all top-notch but River was absolute fantastic in it. And to think he was 15 when he filming that! :eek: Incredibly mature performance!

Gillie

Regarding Candy.
Who knows.

I still think we have been deprived by his death!

Pride Fighter

IMO John Candy would have been loved today. Like Bill Murray he was in several comedy films of varying quality. I think he would have shown us all he could act well if given the right role in the same way Bill Murray did in Lost in Translation. Cool Runnings was one of his last films and that was such a great family film IMO. River Phoenix would have been bigger than Brad Pitt and Johnny Depp are nowadays. Lucas/Spielberg were going to make a whole new series of Indiana Jones films for him which would have put him in the mainstream and he could act also. He would have had a bagful of awards and nominations had he have lived. He was a better actor than Joaquin and he is one hell of an actor.

I have only seen Blues Brothers and Animal House by John Belushi. The acting/comedic talent was there to see but unfortunately he killed himself with his lifestyle. There are so many ifs and buts I am going to stop now as Ill be here all day typing. They are all great loses to the medium of film though.

TheIrishGrover

Great actor, no doubt. Stand By Me: Great show and performance. I'm just wondering is Johnny Depp filling the gap he left. No disrespect meant to Depp but I just get the impression that they would be making the same film choices is what I mean: Going for off kilter films and directors with the odd "Cash-in-on-my-looks-and-make-a-blockbuster-for-the-money" film every now and then before going back to making indies.

I think I have to agree with OP about Candy though. Great talent but some poor latter choices.

What about James Dean?

Would he have been a popular actor if he was still alive. He'd be more or less the same age as Clint Eastwood now.

MagicMarker

I never knew River and Joaquin were brothers. The things ya learn eh?

Galvasean

Brandon Lee:

Would he still be a big action star? Would he fizzle into obscurity like his pal Dolph Lundgren? Would he go the Van Dam route and pump out 50 straight to DVD action movies per year? Would he be the governor of California?

Who can say?

MagicMarker

I never considered Brandon Lee to be a big star ever. He did a couple of decent movies but that's about it. I thought The Crow was atrocious. Rapid Fire was a great movie though:)