YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Separating an author from their work?

YouLookFab Forum » Topic: Separating an author from their work? https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 19 Apr 2026 02:51:16 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 <![CDATA[Search]]> q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php Janet on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work/page/2#post-2220987 Thu, 02 Sep 2021 14:05:32 +0000 Janet 2220987@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh, I get so much of this. We are friends with some musicians and performers who have certain levels of celebrity. I’ve seen the way that sometimes they just don’t want to be bothered in certain times, and it can look like they’re just acting like assholes. That is one thing, and I’m not too inclined to hold it against them. But then, as a 20-year-old hotel front desk supervisor, I had a notable composer who shall remain nameless, (even though he is now dead), call me and the staff I worked with a nasty enough slur that I informed him I would only listen to his complaint once he was able to express it without using such language. I was shaking when I hung up the phone, expecting to be fired, but our GM backed me up. Soured me on his work ever after. He was just plain a jerk. I was never able to bring myself to play Michelle Shocked on my radio program after her anti-gay remarks many years ago, despite being a fan of her music. There are certain repercussions from holding or expressing polarizing views when you have a level of fame. It cuts both ways. Look at what happened with the Dixie Chicks after they denounced Bush (fwiw, I’ve never been a fan of their music, but I respected that they took a stance they believed in, even though it put them at odds with a significant portion of their fan base). But if I find out an artist/author/musician is actively supporting hateful views, I will actively stop supporting them. Anonymous on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work/page/2#post-2220979 Thu, 02 Sep 2021 13:31:52 +0000 Anonymous 2220979@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I haven't read Lovecraft, but definitely wouldn't go out of my way to support anyone who has white supremacist views. Stagiaire Fash on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work/page/2#post-2220961 Thu, 02 Sep 2021 12:09:54 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2220961@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Echo, not sure I understand what you mean about separating people who play a game from the culture surrounding a game. They didn’t write the story and might not know all the richness, but surely the most damaging effects are the ones that are absorbed sub-consciously about what it is or isn’t ok to do, who is or isn’t “regular people”, etc. One thing I think we’ve all agreed on in the thread is that artists shouldn’t be held to a higher standard, but should also not somehow be given a free pass for egregious behavior. Suz on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work/page/2#post-2220889 Thu, 02 Sep 2021 02:22:44 +0000 Suz 2220889@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Echo, way to round up the conversation! You are a brilliant teacher. And just to ask this question with such deep heart is to be a model to students and others. Thank you.  Echo on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work/page/2#post-2220883 Thu, 02 Sep 2021 01:46:00 +0000 Echo 2220883@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I really appreciate everyone's comments. So much to think about... I do agree that it is somehow easier to "overlook" the negative traits of long-dead artists than it is for contemporaries. I am not sure why that is. Perhaps it is, as mentioned by Janet, Lisa and slim cat, the idea of financially supporting that sort on nonsense seems more immediate and impactful? Like chewyspaghetti referenced, my daughter, too, used to adore Harry Potter, but no longer wishes to support Rowling's work. Not that it matters at this point, as the whole Harry Potter machine has made unbelievable amounts of money, but I wonder if we will see its popularity fade in the future as the young people of today take issue with Rowling's views and choose not to purchase the books and movies and products for their own children. And while I certainly understand that some people idolize sports figures (like Sal warns against) or famous people - especially those that are popular for children or young people - I guess I have never felt that artists, authors or creators had to be held to a higher standard, as Carla says. Indeed, I find it incumbent upon everyone not to say stupid things in public, not make racist jokes, etc. I am not outraged when I find that prominent people or even people I admired are selfish, arrogant or even cheating on their spouses. It might sadden me, but people are people, and no one is perfect (or nice all the time to their adoring public). This part ties in with the responsibilities of certain groups of people that Suz talks about - just like scientists are expected to review papers from others without compensation, dealing with fans is part of being a celebrity. Yes, it might be awful and annoying to have people always wanting your picture, but it must also be nice to be paid millions to be an actor. No one is in a good mood all the time, but it is part of the responsibility of the job to a certain extent. But it is most certainly NOT their job to read manuscripts, read potential screenplays, or otherwise donate their time and talent to those interested in their help. My daughter is an artist and reinforces the idea that art (whether that be sketching, painting, writing, making movies, metalwork, sculpture, weaving baskets, carving, etc.) is the artist's labor. Because others sketch or journal for fun doesn't mean that those skills are not worthy of value and compensation. I very much agree with Suz that people have unrealistic expectations of those in many fields of work. But now I am just meandering. Back to Lovecraft. I guess I just wish I knew what to DO with the fact that he was a dreadful human being. I/we/society really can't stop purchasing anything that was influenced by his work because almost everything in certain genres was influenced by (or even blatantly copied from) his work. He had no descendants, so none of the money is going to support him or his family personally (indeed, he lived in extreme poverty during his lifetime), so is there any purpose in even trying to avoid it? Oh, and regarding the gaming culture (especially video games), there is no question that it remains the domain of the young, white, misogynistic (and often racist, anti semitic and homophobic) male. However, the people who PLAY the games don't determine the how amazing or lame a particular game is in its lore. And RPGs not played in the video realm depend almost completely on the DM/GM and other players. The lore that Lovecraft inspired is deep and amazing. Perhaps I should just take it as inspirational that so many wondrous things came from such a vile man? Indeed, Suz, it is very, very complicated. Oh, and Sloper, those essays are AMAZING. And, of course, there's Lovecraft right at the top. Suz on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work/page/2#post-2220649 Wed, 01 Sep 2021 01:56:27 +0000 Suz 2220649@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ SF, I know -- I've been an adjunct for all my university teaching life, so believe me, I understand the horrors!! I was just speaking, in this instance, as an artist -- and since I fill both roles, I think I can say on pretty good authority that the demands on artists are egregious in a different way. Not necessarily worse, but unique. And part of what makes them unique is that people --even well-meaning people -- honestly have no idea!  Stagiaire Fash on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work/page/2#post-2220631 Wed, 01 Sep 2021 00:22:22 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2220631@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz, thanks for clarifying about rudeness and explaining about artists. I’m not sure I’m willing to leave adjuncts out of the conversation though, given that they’re the majority. That statistic shocks me too—I knew there were a bunch, but then I looked it up <a href="https://www.newfacultymajority.info/facts-about-adjuncts/" rel="nofollow">https://www.newfacultymajority.....-adjuncts/</a> Sloper, I think we are talking about different things on athletes—I would be delighted for my son to be either of the young men in this article that I pulled up more or less at random from that magazine <a href="https://www.theplayerstribune.com/posts/demarcus-lawrence-tyrone-crawford-dallas-cowboys-nfl" rel="nofollow">https://www.theplayerstribune......owboys-nfl</a> I hear you on the rest. For me, it’s not so much about what people went through as it is to inform thinking about how we ought to proceed and shape our world now. But that’s because of our different histories. Sloper on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work/page/2#post-2220543 Tue, 31 Aug 2021 18:48:42 +0000 Sloper 2220543@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ StagFash - Yes.  That was the point I was trying to make, but didn't verbalize it well (i.e. regarding separating an author from their work).   I'm not shocked when I read a book written in the 19th century (even 20th) that includes certain wording or descriptions.  Or when an author's biases come to light, or when it turns out they are a major tool. I definitely don't excuse it, but I don't toss the book aside.  It does help me understand the biases and barriers my forebears dealt with. Of course I have my limits. As far as celebrity/sports star behavior - for sure I'm ready and able to say buh-bye to them and their antics. Suz on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220542 Tue, 31 Aug 2021 18:43:41 +0000 Suz 2220542@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sal, of course not rude! I'm glad I gave you a chuckle! :)  StagFash, I hear you, but with respect, the situations aren't really comparable. Academics (except adjuncts, a whole other category of unfairness we won't get into here) get paid a decent salary and can expect regular reviews/ raises/ funds to support research etc. Yes, they have to apply for those funds. (More work). And yes, publishers are asking them to do "extra" over and above what they would otherwise do (which is already way too much). But there's an argument to be made that this is part of the job. Much like supervising extra-curriculars is part of a secondary teacher's job. It means extra hours for no compensation, so it is unfair, but it's widely understood by those within the profession to be part of the profession.  Artists are (mostly) self-employed and in most countries, earn far less than a living wage in a typical year. They also work very hard for many years to learn their craft. So when people who haven't "put in the time" presume on them and what's more, ask them to work for free -- it feels all kinds of wrong.    Also,  if you thought I was excusing racism, misogyny etc, then I must not have expressed myself clearly. As far as I'm concerned, there's no excuse for that. .I was simply offering a bit of  context for what might come across sometimes as garden-variety rudeness or arrogance (and which, admittedly, sometimes *is* arrogance, as I also said.) The "that just popped out" comments don't satisfy me, either.  I agree with your comment that we'd essentially be left with nothing if we ruled out every "problematic" text. That makes it all the more important for us to teach children (and ourselves) to read reflectively and critically.  Stagiaire Fash on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220458 Tue, 31 Aug 2021 08:47:12 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2220458@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lila, there’s a reason archeologists study middens. But besides needing to learn from the past, another problem with just tossing out everything that’s racist is that we’d be left with nothing. Racism (anti-Semitic and otherwise), homophobia, religious animosity, sexism, and the like run throughout our society and legal codes. If we did toss it all, how could we write it new without looking at how it’s been done before? Sloper, what an awesome idea for a regular feature! I’m not a fan of the publication it’s in, but isn’t that one of the points being made in this thread? Suz, with reference to your claim about things “they would never ask from anyone in any other profession. For example, people often ask us to work for free, to read their 400 page manuscripts and comment for free”—that’s literally what the entire system of academic publishing is based on. Every single book and article is sent out for peer review by several individuals, without pay. Some people are trying to get that changed, but it is still far and away the expected model. I get really tired of claims from people, wherever they are in whatever hierarchy you’re looking at, that “I’m not a racist, I was just frustrated & that came out”. Obviously, person who just blurted out something they regret, you have that in you; how else would it be able to come out? Sal, for seeing that athletes are fully humans just like the rest of us. <a href="//www.theplayerstribune.com/europe”"> The Players Tribune </a> is a great source. It often deals with racism and dehumanization by fans. But your comment points to an important split in approaches to the parts of culture that Echo referred to. One is to say that culture is a thing—books, music, sports, fashion, language—that somebody else makes and we are users of. Another is to recognize our role in creating culture, that the end results are built through collective actions. So rather than simply consuming culture, we create it by our interactions with it, whether rolling up the pant leg or changing the pronouns or whatever. There is no avoiding anti-semitism or other racism, sexism, homophobia, etc possible, but by watching how they operate, we can be part of cultures to mitigate their effects. Sal on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220445 Tue, 31 Aug 2021 05:43:15 +0000 Sal 2220445@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Suz - that made me laugh (is that rude?) I encourage my sons not to put sports stars on a pedestal - because we can find out that whilst they are fabulous basketball players or rugby players or golfers or tennis players - they may not be admirable people.  I can seperate the sports genius of without admiring their personality or politics or views on the world.  Likewise with Politicians - or Monarchs. But it is harder to do that with creators (writers, artists) because their work seems to be them.... There is no perfect answer.  Sometimes I say that "Good people can do bad things, and bad people can do good things."  It is pretty simplistic but one way to look at the world. Suz on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220436 Tue, 31 Aug 2021 03:18:37 +0000 Suz 2220436@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sloper - Mr. Suz says that if I have ever have a headstone it will read "It's complicated." And he's not wrong. Of course, "it's complicated" whether I will ever have a headstone. Because, you know, death is as complicated as life, it seems!  Jaime on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220435 Tue, 31 Aug 2021 03:12:24 +0000 Jaime 2220435@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is such a complicated topic - I am very interested in reading everyone's comments. Glad Suz weighed in as a working artist. (Sloper - I remember the first time I thrifted something by John Galliano and I asked DH what he thought of me wearing someone known (especially at that time) for his anti-Jewish rant. He said no one in Israel would bat an eye - they assume everyone is an anti-Semite.) Anyway, I do not think it is possible or wise to dismiss all works of art made by problematic people. Some are representative of their time and we can learn from them. Some are representative of the complexities of the human personality and we can learn from them too. Not quite sure about supporting their continued works though.  Sloper on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220433 Tue, 31 Aug 2021 02:53:46 +0000 Sloper 2220433@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachy and Carol - yep! My husband and I were just watching an old musical on TCM - they had the Chinese stereotype, the Black stereotype, and the Jewish stereotype raising his hands and exclaiming "Oy!" CarolS on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220426 Tue, 31 Aug 2021 02:21:47 +0000 CarolS 2220426@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Sloper - the essays in the Tablet are amazing. OK, I've only read one so far, on Edith Wharton -- and IT was amazing. Thank you so much for sharing. The main point being, of course, that like most things in life "it's complicated". UmmLila (Lisa) on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220407 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 23:59:46 +0000 UmmLila (Lisa) 2220407@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Lately, I’ve had many discussions with people about literature, art and history that center around what value we can take from the past, knowing that much of it was written by self-centered, self-indulgent, violent, white men. Some of their work can stay in the midden. And others have created enough beauty to warrant ongoing looks. An artist friend and I are intending to visit this exhibition, in that spirit. <a href="https://www.gardnermuseum.org/calendar/exhibition/women-myth-power" rel="nofollow">https://www.gardnermuseum.org/.....myth-power</a> rachylou on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220402 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 23:15:50 +0000 rachylou 2220402@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Omg, Sloper. Slam. Sloper on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220351 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 20:23:22 +0000 Sloper 2220351@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I don't know "the" answer to this dilemma. As a 60-something Jewish American woman, I've read many things over the years and have heard about the experiences of my parents.  Am I inured to these things? Am I fatalistic about them ("yep just another white guy what can you expect")? I've found this column recently in The Tablet.  I'll be reading through the articles with interest! <a rel="nofollow" href="https://www.tabletmag.com/tags/my-favorite-anti-semite">https://www.tabletmag.com/tags.....nti-semite</a> Suz on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220346 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 20:01:44 +0000 Suz 2220346@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Brilliant as always, Rachy. rachylou on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220337 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 19:21:58 +0000 rachylou 2220337@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I have to mention something… I have my own personal troll on Twitter. I commented that I had to love them anyways because they were funny, and a third party told me that… they did not admire my moral nihilism. So this may be a character flaw of mine, that I can be amused by that which I do not approve of… and I realise it can come as a nasty surprise to some that I do not always approve of that which may amuse me. Just sayin’… Suz on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220320 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 17:38:04 +0000 Suz 2220320@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is such a rich and important conversation. Your comments and concerns are thoughtful and astute, Echo, and I have been nodding along with so many responses here. As someone in the arts, I often come across famous others in the field who consistently fail to live up to my ideals for decent human behaviour. (Ahem). So I know exactly what LisaP and Janet mean. It's disappointing to come upon an admired artist and learn that they are rude, arrogant, or worse. On the other hand, Carla has a point. Why should we expect our artists to be any less human than the rest of us? Also—this is a bit off track, but related—people sometimes hold completely unrealistic expectations of artists and want things from them they would never ask from anyone in any other profession. For example, people often ask us to work for free, to read their 400 page manuscripts and comment for free, etc. etc. OK, so we should never respond rudely -- but honestly, there are times when anybody would crack.  I think this is about personality, though, and that is sometimes separate from the work. Although our work very often, perhaps always, reveals who we are, we are also, often, our better selves in our work -- and some real jerks have managed to create amazing works of art that reveal truths they seem incapable of seeing in regular life, or reinforce egalitarian values they seem incapable of living by. Art is full of contradictions. That's part of its power, in fact. Ambiguity makes us uncomfortable, but it can also be a catalyst for personal and social change.  And then there are the Lovecrafts, etc. who are deliberate racists, misogynists, etc. etc. Who, as Echo says, are not just reflecting their times but actively promoting oppression and harm to others. I really like what Rachy and S.Fash say about reading the canon but reading it to find out how we got here. Reading it critically, reflectively. And reading contemporary works the same way. (In fact, my recent book includes some re-readings of canonical works that meant a lot to me in light of personal and wider social changes. Note -- it's not academic at all, but literary.)   My kid (Asian, trans) like Chewy's, grew up with JK Rowling, so of course we've had those conversations around our dinner table. My kid takes a complex view, similar to Chewy's -- still loves the stories and the characters, but can't support the financial ventures. And you know...I still read Alice in Wonderland to my kid, too -- even though I knew about Dodgson's penchant for little girls. So...it's complicated! Like Rachy, I'm not paying to see Woody Allen any more, but yes, can still appreciate the hilarity of Annie Hall even as I gag at the gorgeous Manhattan.  chewyspaghetti on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220310 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 17:01:13 +0000 chewyspaghetti 2220310@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I had to think about this with J.K.Rowlings recent comments. I have loved her books, and the movies based on them. They were a large part of my chikdrens childhood and we visited the amusement park area dedicated to the world she created. Our love for that fantasy land and the stories she based on it will always be there, but Icanno longer financially support her ventures. Honestly, the knowledge that Inow have makes me not interested in delving into anything related to her anymore. I loved it, and now I let itgo. Stagiaire Fash on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220309 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 16:59:27 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2220309@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Absolutely we can appreciate skill and artistry of satan! But that needn’t lead us to agree with his ideas. Can you explain to me how you see censorship as related/why you’re bringing it in? It sounds like you agree with what’s been articulated so far about reading widely to see people’s philosophies for what they are. Where does censorship enter in? Carla on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220304 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 16:42:19 +0000 Carla 2220304@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I try not to knowingly support something if I have knowledge beforehand that doing so contributes to the furtherance of something I abhor, however I can appreciate charisma, skill, artistry, what-have-you  regardless of the source. Censorship is a tricky thing and I worry about who is doing the censoring and when it is the difference between what is harmful and what is inconvenient.   Stagiaire Fash on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220296 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 16:13:02 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2220296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Runcarla, I think as poorly of this receptionist as I would of the biggest wig around, if they were to do the same thing. <a href="https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5380095" rel="nofollow">https://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/us_5380095</a> What is your response to your own question? I gave mine above. The problem isn’t a “character issue” or something in the person’s personality—there is just one person, so it carries over. Aka the personal is political. Carla on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220295 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 16:10:29 +0000 Carla 2220295@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ We want our favourites to be ‘good’, but is it a requirement to appreciate their work?  And, the more elevated or famous they become, the more saintly we expect them to be!  Stagiaire Fash on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220293 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 16:00:32 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2220293@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Rachylou, I generally try not to judge people at all, but when it comes to how they treat “the help”—I’m judgey as can be! I don’t see a chasm between behavior in “small” things and thinking on “Important Issues”. Treating people differently according to status, or wealth, or gender, or race, or whatever shows that there is a divide in your thinking, no matter how much you try to cover it up with grand ideas, even—or particularly—if your grand ideas are about how to “help” those poor little unfortunates. The “help” that is often needed is getting knees off their necks. rachylou on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220286 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:42:20 +0000 rachylou 2220286@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I thought about that Fash before I mentioned the general principle in ethics about ‘permitted evil’… because I enjoy a little ‘light’ reading in ethics… because it’s also not light at all. Also: Douglas Adams was one of the rudest authors I have ever met. His books were so clever and he was such a jerk… *sigh* Stagiaire Fash on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220285 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:27:42 +0000 Stagiaire Fash 2220285@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ This is an interesting issue, one that has interested many, many people in multiple academic disciplines for decades (at least). I would not want to end discussion by saying “Google it if you don’t know”. Besides that being rude, I always think it’s a pity to chop things off like that; I’d much rather hear other people’s thinking and shape our opinions together. But if you want to discuss and are having a hard time concretizing or verbalizing your thoughts, googling might help prime the pump. Just a gentle suggestion, looking forward to good discussion. slim cat on "Separating an author from their work?" https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/separating-an-author-from-their-work#post-2220281 Mon, 30 Aug 2021 15:13:26 +0000 slim cat 2220281@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Jack London comes to my mind - one of my favorite in childhood and teenage years. I see his work differently now and not sure how to feel about him as a person.  Some actors made me feel very turn off - some I cannot watch anymore. Not sure I can explain all the feelings in a short clear manner - glad I'm not the only one.