Hollywood values

The phrase Hollywood values refers to the lack of morals and values in Hollywood culture, which are characterized by rampant drug use, extramarital sex, disease, lawlessness and death. A poll by MSNBC said that 60% of Americans agree that "Hollywood's values are not in line with the rest of America and that the quality of movies has dimished in recent years."

Hollywood values can include a flagrant disrespect and disregard for:

• marriage and abstinence
• patriotism
• religion
• accountability
• family responsibilities, like childrearing
• laws that apply to everyone else

Deaths

Hollywood values are deadly. Some examples include:

• John Barrymore, 60, cirrhosis of the liver from heavy drinking
• Bix Beiderbecke, 28, alcoholism
• John Belushi, 33, was a repeated drug abuser who ultimately died of a lethal injection of cocaine and heroin
• Clara Blandick, 81, suicide
• John Bonham, 32, after too much drinking, asphyxiated on vomit
• Lenny Bruce, 40, heroin overdose
• Kurt Cobain, 27, "turned to drugs and alcohol to help him cope," then committed suicide
• Karl Dane, 47, suicide by gunshot
• Brian Epstein, 32, overdosed on sleeping pills and alcohol
• Chris Farley, 33, overdose of morphine and cocaine
• Judy Garland, 47, overdosed on sleeping pills
• Margaux Hemingway, 42, suicide
• Janis Joplin, 27, heroin overdose
• Heath Ledger, 28, found dead in his Manhattan apartment. "Prescription sleeping pills and anti-anxiety pills were found in bottles in Ledger's bedroom and bathroom, and police have speculated the death was caused by an accidental drug overdose." "Ledger died of an accidental overdose of painkillers, sleeping pills, anti-anxiety medication and other prescription drugs, the New York City medical examiner said Wednesday."
• Stuart Lubbock, 31, found dead in the swimming pool of popular TV entertainer Michael Barrymore, having suffered severe anal trauma, after a drug-fuelled party at the star's home
• Phil Lynott, 36, kidney and liver infection
• Marilyn Monroe, 36, overdosed on sleeping pills
• Jim Morrison, 27, died of an apparent heroin overdose
• River Phoenix, 23, a huge star until he died from an overdose cocaine and heroin
• Elvis Presley, 42, large drug intake causes a cardiac arrhythmia
• Virginia Rappe, 30, died of a ruptured bladder incurred at a party hosted by Roscoe Arbuckle
• Brad Renfro, 25, became addicted to heroin and was found dead after a night of drinking
• Anna Nicole Smith, 39, accidental overdose on prescription drugs
• Sharon Tate, 26, murdered by members of the Manson Family
• Lou Tellegen, 52, suicide
• Sid Vicious, 21, overdosed on heroin obtained from his mother
• Kenneth Williams, 62, overdose.

Crime

Hollywood values often include stealing and committing other crimes. Here are some examples:

• Winona Ryder was convicted of convicted of vandalism and grand theft for stealing designer merchandise worth $5,560.40.
• O.J. Simpson is widely believed to have murdered his wife and her friend, and was found liable in a civil (but not criminal) trial. He has since been arrested again on an unrelated charge.
• Paris Hilton was convicted of driving while intoxicated, and then violated the terms of her probation, leading to a 45-day prison sentence.
• Hugh Grant was arrested in 1995 when found in a car with a prostitute.
• Kiefer Sutherland was given a 48-day sentence for DUI in 2007, an offence committed while still on probation following a 2004 conviction for DUI.
• George Michael was convicted of "Committing a lewd act in public", having been arrested in a public restroom by a plain clothes police officer.

Offensive Behavior

• Mel Gibson, a Christian actor and director, was arrested after being stopped for driving at 84 mph in a 45 mph zone on a notoriously dangerous road in Malibu, California. A breathalyzer test confirmed he was drunk and next to him was an open bottle of Tequila; after being arrested he hurled Anti-Semitic abuse at a Jewish police officer.

Rehab

Hollywood values often result in celebrities going into rehab. Here are some examples:

• Kirsten Dunst checked into the Cirque Lodge treatment facility in Utah after a week of hard partying at the Sundance Film Festival, according to a source at the lodge, although the lodge's director of operations denies this.

The following all checked into the above facility seeking treatment for various psychological problems:

• Lindsay Lohan
• Eva Mendes
• Mary-Kate Olsen

Books

• Hollywood Against America
• Hollywood Babylon (1965) by Kenneth Anger (US edition)
• Hollywood Babylon II (1984) by Kenneth Anger