Joesitz said:
If we use the classic definition, that is, faultless technique, absolute artisty and a demanding temper. In skating I can only think of Kat.
I don't follow pop stars but I imagine there are a number of them.
I'm with rGirl on Val Kilmer - a much underrated actor. I don't know if he is tempermental.
I'm also a Jim Carey fan - I think I'm the only one who understood the Cable Man and with that script he was perfect but totally misunderstood. I can see Carey as having temperment.
Johnny Depp is so low key. He couldn't be a diva. Brilliant actor, though, and like Cary Grant will never win an Oscar.
Streep? Foster? Kidman? and the overrated one from Shakespeare in Love.
ITA with you Joe about Depp. He's also been too much of his own man in choosing the roles he wanted as an actor and not as a product to be a diva; however, that doesn't mean he may not have been difficult at times. With some (most?) of the producers and money people in Hollywood, it seems like a sign of good character if an actor IS difficult with those jerks.
And yeah, Depp will probably never win an Oscar. He'll either get an "Oops, we screwed up!" Lifetime Achievement Award when he's 90 or else he won't win the Oscar for some future Oscar worthy performance and, like Newman, instead they'll give it to him years later for a good but not great performance just so the members of the Academy can say they did.
As for "Cable Guy," that makes two of us who appreciated it. The film had its flaws, but I liked it a lot and also thought Carrey was superb -- Matthew Broderick, too. A challenging role; no wonder JC lobbied so hard to do it. But you're right, Joe. Nobody got it, even certain critics who should have. I mean, hello! It's a black comedy! They've been around since Homer.
Meryl Streep: From the LA/NY screenwriting and PR folk I know (by acquaintance), she's truly just plain folks and always has been. She just happens to ride to work in a limo. From what I've heard, there's no Meryl Streep/Glenn Close rivalry, at least not on Streep's part.
Jodie Foster: From same grapevine, Foster is pro, pro, pro, and very private. JMO, but I think all that John Hinckley stuff and his Reagan assassination attempt "to show his love for her" when she was at such a vulnerable age (about 18-19) probably really did a job on her and perhaps made her realize (with supportive help) the critical importance of balancing one's private and public persona when fame is part and parcel of what you do. I think Jodie's one of the best in the world in films--acting for sure and could develop as a director--but I wouldn't be surprised to see her take either an early retirement or some extended time off in order to devote it to family life.
Kidman: The grapevine gang again: Much more nervous and insecure than you would think, say they, which the grapevine thinks accounts for some of her hissy fits rather than divaism.
The overrated one from "Shakespeare in Love," Gwyneth Paltrow, is right! Dumb movie; even dumber performance. And in a year when Cate Blanchett blew everyone else out of the water as "Elizabeth." Worst Oscar vote won by worst performance. Though I must say Gwynny was great as "Emma" and as the prostitute in "Hard Eight." For both films: Great parts; right actress. As to her diva status, I don't know. She dated Ben Affleck?
More candidates:
Diva: Simon Cowell
Diva Wannabe: Paula Abdul
Diva: Cartman
Diva Wannabe: Butters
Diva: My cat
Diva Wannabe: Myself
Rgirl
