Miles Brucker articles

The story of Ricky Nelson is one of fame, fortune, and tragedy. Born to be a celebrity, he became the world’s first teen idol and a rock and roll icon by the time he was 17. His rise to fame was meteoric, and his fall was just as fast.

Some may say that folk singer Joan Baez is a woman who “doth protest too much”. She has, after all, gotten herself involved in almost every conflict in the last half-century. But Baez is the real deal, as she has bravely gone to prison and visited dangerous, war-torn countries—all in the name of making the world a better place.

While most actors dream of landing big paydays, some of Hollywood's biggest names have shocked the industry by walking away from massive checks. Whether motivated by principle, passion projects, or personal reasons, these stars turned down roles or deals that could have padded their bank accounts—proving that not everything is about the money. Here are some of the most fascinating examples.

Television thrives on risk, but some gambles come at a price. A single twist can shatter years of character development or shift a beloved show into something nearly unrecognizable.

Every character moves forward with something to prove. Through weddings and unexpected turns, Season 4 expands The Bear’s heart. Behind each dish is a person, and behind each person is a quiet story.

Heath Ledger came into this world on April 4, 1979, in Perth, Australia—a coastal city that mixed beach life with artistic energy. Even as a child, he had that magnetic, slightly mysterious charm people would later obsess over.

Daredevil Evel Knievel was an irresistible cocktail of bravery, masculinity, and audacity. He certainly had his share of young men as fans, and they looked up to him in a way that went beyond sports—he was truly a hero. All that came tumbling down when Knievel went looking for revenge from a writer threatening to ruin his career.