Draw your own conclusions.
As founder of The Warren Report, Warren Etheredge hosts over 250 events every year,
a podcast and television series. The Warren Report promotes "slow culture" through commentary, outreach,
events and education. Our principle: Smarter audiences make a better world!
Do actors make a significant contribution to society? I suppose they can, some have. Certainly, some do make a difference off-screen. Say what you will about Sean Penn, but he did jump into the fray in New Orleans during Katrina*. (For evidence, check out Spike Lee‘s absolutely astonishing documentary, WHEN THE LEVEES BROKE: A Requiem In Four Acts
Tellingly, his fellow knights of the crafts service table object to this actor’s assumed appellation. But what do you THINK? Watch today’s video for the secret identity of Sir Self-Important, then draw your own conclusions. Should actors be eligible for knighthood? Need Obama create a similar reward for American (screen) idols? If so, which cinema vet would you choose to fete? Smart or funny suggestions received on this here blog post by Noon on Monday, March 30th, 2009 might just win film-related sur-prizes.
* The actor’s detractors claim Sean’s appearance in New Orleans was just a publicity stunt. Watch the documentary, read the reports, discuss amongst yourselves. (Feel free to include me in the debate!)
† Delightfully, a quick Google search revealed an article in The New York Times —written more than a hundred years ago! — complaining about the practice. Further proof, that The Warren Report is always current. Like Law & Order
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March 24th, 2009 at 11:07 am
I heard about Benny’s requests a few years ago and thought it was pretty absurd. Good call on Hopkins too. I’d have no problem calling him Sir Tony if he was cool with that. As for actors on this side of the pond, I’ve always liked the movie ‘Inherit The Wind’. So, let’s just make them all honorary Colonels. Speaking of Colonels, did you Mel Gibson’s skit on Jimmy Kimmel’s show after the Oscars?
March 24th, 2009 at 11:20 am
Joshua: Thanks for backing me up. I love Hopkins, even if he did subject us to FREEJACK.
I missed Gibson’s skit. Did he play up his hilarious anti-semitism, SugarTits?
I’d go along with the Colonel concept but does that mean our first honoree is the KFC spokesman/corpse?
March 24th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Wikipedia claims that Kingsley’s mother, born out of wedlock, was “loath to speak of her background.” Seems she was the daughter of an English East London garment worker mother and a father who was believed by the family to have been a Russian or German Jew. She may have compensated for that by naming her son Krishna, which some traditions within Krishnaism consider to be the supreme being. Ben’s father was a doctor, regarded as supreme being in many cultures. The stories of Krishna portray him in various roles: a god-child, a prankster, a model lover, a divine hero and the Supreme Being. Ben’s acting roles have ranged from gurus of the first order to crooks of the same. Could Ben still, after all these years, be looking for self-identity and respect?
-Miriam Reiss
March 24th, 2009 at 11:33 am
We don’t have royalty in The United States of America because they’re always first against the wall when the revolution comes. So the question is, how many bullet holes would Sir Ben get when the revolution comes. Considering some of his historical roles (Gandhi, Schindler’s List) my guess is, not many.
March 24th, 2009 at 1:22 pm
of course the american equivalent will more than likely turn out to be “Dude”
March 24th, 2009 at 3:07 pm
Are you kidding? I think precisely because he played that peace-loving bulimic Gandhi and a Jew-loving Jew(!) in SCHINDLER’S LIST, he’ll be one of the first to go… especially if the French have their say. I, on the other hand, would only off him for his pomposity. ; )
I must also give you credit for your argument about royalty, as the Kennedys are often referenced as the American equivalent, and while they never made it to the wall, well…
March 24th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
My Votes:
Sir Frances McDormand, Sir Catherine Deneuve, Sir Holly Hunter,
Sir Meryl Streep, Sir Jessica Lange, Sir Rene Russo, Sir Tilda Swinton, Sir Jodi Foster
March 25th, 2009 at 7:25 am
To the common man Beenie could not carry Sir Anthony Hopkins water
He got the role for Gandhi because he was brown.
Watching him act alone is like watching toast being made – when you add other stuff it makes it taste better
Are we talking about the seemingly meager guy that played Guru Tugginmypudha in the LOVE GURU – for that alone they should ask for his Oscar back and his knighthood along with the tract of land that come with it. Being knighted by the Queen for what you have done is cool but when you provide nothing for the privilege.
Ben KINGSley need remember only a King can make a King all others are servants or enemies.
Finally in retrospect perhaps he is a good actor after all but until he does something for others no one gives a flying frackin leap if he is a knight of the kingdom or not – pompous and pretentious do not communicate well to the general public
March 26th, 2009 at 12:49 am
“Are you kidding?” – W
Not many bullets are needed…
March 26th, 2009 at 9:01 am
Perhaps instead of a single titular ring to cover them all, Obama could dispense rarely used royal sobriquets upon the most deserving of the lime light. You know, how Canute the IV of Denmark was known as “the Holy” and Pippin was known as the Hunchback, and Charles Martel as The Hammer and Vlad the III was the Impaler. And I dont think you should give these to actors who stand a good chance of getting other awards, like Oscars, Globeys, Kennedy’s, etc. It could be done with a presidential, “I hereby declare ye to be known and referred to in all commercial and public environments as_____”. Here’s my shortlist:
Stallone the Lil’ Impaler
Bale the Harefoot
Tom the Gouty, or the Beer Jugged One
The Forkbearded One
Colin the Constant Drunkard
David the Caulker
Will the Dung Named
James the Be-Shitten (Seamus a Chaca in Innwood)
anyway, you get the idea, here’s a list Warren:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_by_nickname
If you decide to take this Sir Benjamin down into small bills, can I call you Warren the Restorer?
anyway,