Tales from a Mid-Lifer

Remember the Bionic Woman and The Six Million Dollar Man? My kids have no idea who they are!

Last summer, I read Matthew Perry’s memoir, Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing. His drug struggles, dating famous women and acting gigs were intriguing, but I camped for a hot second on how he and his Friends cast were earning $1 million per week. Fame seems like a bummer, but fortune is another story.

Countless people across the globe are seeking fortune by becoming famous. Bummer or not, fame is an obsession in society. Actors, athletes, influencers, YouTubers, some bloggers (not this one-wink) and a host of other folks are fanatical about fame. They are either compulsive about tracking those already famous or clawing through life groping for fame. TikTok, YouTube, etc., highlight painfully talentless, unintelligent humans that have amassed substantial material wealth, making viewers envious, bitter and desperate for what the other has.

Even within the body of Christ, there is a former TV person (intentionally vague) who made a national name and is currently squeezing as much fame from the brief television appearance as possible. When approached by a mere church member (no, it wasn’t me) welcoming said star to the congregation, the church member was dismissed while more important greeters were warmly embraced. Others around the newcomer witnessed the intentional choosing, immediately turning to avoid their own possible humiliation on approach. The act of maintaining fame often (not always) requires collecting even more-famous-than-you people. Unless of course you are Taylor Swift. 

The famous-person-at-church led me down a fame rabbit hole.

Just for fun, I conducted an unofficial research study, asking a few 20-somethings the names of the previously rich and famous – some alive, some no longer on the planet. Icons such as Marilyn Monroe, Audrey Hepburn, James Dean and Elvis were omitted for obvious reasons. Also left out included anyone still active such as beloved Julie Andrews, having made appearances in GenZ movies.

Synonyms for fame include “immortality” and “recognition”. Spoiler alert: the most famous names from the 1950s-1970s are not immortal (forever alive) nor easily recognized.

My question to the 20-somethings: “Have you ever heard of….” turned out the following results:

Famous Person	Know the Name?
Sophia Loren	Yes and no
Brigitte Bardot	No
Gregory Peck	No
Clint Eastwood	Yes and no
Jerry Lewis	Yes-not sure how and No
Lucille Ball	Yes and no
Gary Cooper	No
Bing Crosby	Yes and No – White Christmas was the “yes”!
Marlon Brando	No
Natalie Wood	No
Cary Grant	No
Humphrey Bogart	No
Jack Lemmon	No
Jane Russell	No
Debbie Reynolds	No
Cary Grant	No
Clark Gable	Yes-not sure how and No
Sean Connery	No
Lauren Bacall	No
Rock Hudson	No
Rachel Welch	No
Warren Beatty	No

If fame ends within a couple generations of death, why the fame desperation? First, those chasing fame aren’t thinking about death. Another motivator is the age-old notion that if you get fame, you get money. An unmistakable enticement is the desperation for recognition. Our need to be seen, cherished and loved, even by online strangers, is an entire branch all its own and too broad for this post.

While clicks and likes make us feel good, they have far greater importance to agents, television broadcast companies and publishers. The statistics you generate make you more or less enticing as a client, thus often prerequisites to fame and/or fortune. Those YouTubers and TikTokers who amassed the wealth mentioned earlier? They receive multiple thousands of views.

On a positive note, those who glorified the kingdom or at least positively impacted humanity were immediately recognized by the Gen Z’ers.…Mother Teresa, Billy Graham, Nelson Mandela, C.S. Lewis, Corrie ten Boom. 

We have read about their surroundings and certainly know of Mother Theresa’s poverty but unless we are writing a thesis, we don’t investigate the size of hers or C.S. Lewis’ homes nor their special keepsakes, nick knacks, or wearing of Fendi, Prada or Vuitton. Entire, decades-running television shows and national magazines are devoted to such images and footage. These outlets perpetuate the fame obsession.

History is filled with the then-famous people whose names are presently unrecognizable. I’m a girl all in for glitz, glam, clicking glasses and sparkly dresses! But, I’m clear enough at mid-life to know it’s all fleeting.

We are already famous to God and to the “real” people who like us vs. the “reel” likes we generate on our social media. No amount of clicks or Instagram followers are prerequisites for sharing coffee, tea and life with the friends who accept us just as we are…no glossy performance required for God’s recognition of us as His children. This is all good news and yet, for many of us, it’s still just. not. enough.

“They may name their estates after themselves, but their fame will not last.”

Psalm 49:11

Fame is fleeting photo: UltimateMovieRankings.com Perry’s book: Amazon Julie Andrews: closerweekly.com Church: HuffPost LindsayWagner/LeeMajors/Cary Grant: Pinterest