“This is by far the most thorough account of Hollywood stardom in recent decades (and, indeed, in general). Full of detailed examples and up-to-date research, Paul Macdonald’s book discusses all the major facets of contemporary Hollywood and a number of its major stars. Highly recommended.”
– Steve Neale, University of Exeter
“Paul McDonald has done it again! A meticulously documented and intelligent discussion that integrates industry and star studies. A strong contribution to the understanding of Hollywood.”
– Janet Wasko, University of Oregon
“With considerable analytical verve and rigor, McDonald makes a valuable contribution to the political economy of contemporary Hollywood. His book will be required reading for those wishing to understand the mesmerizing fusion of glamour and money, person and image that is stardom.”
– Barry King, Auckland University of Technology
“In the most challenging approaches to the study of stars in a decade, Paul McDonald’s analysis of stars as brands meshes Hollywood’s performance of identity with its business model to explain how stars are both meaning and money.”
– Richard Maltby, Flinders University
From the Inside Flap
Through a deft integration of star and film industry studies, Hollywood Stardom reveals the inextricable bonds between culture and commerce in contemporary notions of film stardom. Film scholar Paul McDonald explores stars and stardom in the modern film industry, analyzing the period in which the concept of “star image” has morphed into the “star brand” in a celebrity-obsessed world.
Topics explored include configurations of stardom in Hollywood’s talent hierarchy, the role of stars as independent producers, their use in celebrity endorsements and value in the film market, and the formation of prestige stardom through the film awards system. A wide range of examples are explored, including actors George Clooney, Mel Gibson, Tom Cruise, and Daniel Day-Lewis; along with extended case studies of some of Hollywood’s top screen icons: Tom Hanks, Will Smith, and Julia Roberts. Grounded in scholarly rigor, Hollywood Stardom represents an important contribution to contemporary film studies and the shifting role of stardom in the modern Hollywood film industry.
About the Author
Paul McDonald is Chair of Creative Industries at the University of Nottingham. He is the author of The Star System: Hollywood’s Production of Popular Identities (2000) and Video and DVD Industries (2007), and co-editor of The Contemporary Hollywood Film Industry (2008).
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