Jake Halpern
Halpern’s wonderfully interesting (and far too short) book Fame Junkies explores the world of people drawn to fame. Divided into three sections, Halpern interviews and follows a legion of wanna-be child stars and their families, a group of celebrity assistants and a clutch of die-hard fans. Each group personally expends an inordinate amount their personal time and energy (and often money) to either try to attain a level of fame or simply to get near someone famous. The definition of fame, based on Halpern’s subjects, can be tenuous. For many being famous does not mean being an A-list movie star, but merely an underwear model for Sears. Halpern interviews families in podunk towns shelling out thousands for their children to go to acting schools; starry-eyed assistants willing to work 18 hour days for peanuts in the service of C-list stars; and family members of fanatical groupies. Only in America.