Walter Winchell was
most influential newspaper columnist of 1930s and 1940s, a time when newspapers were most powerful media in world. He rose from obscurity as a third-rate vaudeville performer to become feared, hated and widely imitated.His formula for success?
“The fastest way to become famous,” he said, “is to throw a brick at someone famous.”
Winchell fought publicly with entertainment’s biggest names, from Al Jolson to Josephine Baker to Lucille Ball. Later in his career, he swung toward political reporting. Winchell championed an unprecedented third term for President Franklin Roosevelt as well as Red Scare for Joe McCarthy.
He threw bricks in every direction. And this made him among most famous men in nation.
Winchell’s tactics have been adopted and adapted by scores of ambitious individuals and organizations.
How did Ralph Nader become famous? By attacking General Motors.
How did Jesse Jackson become famous? By claiming that racism is systemic at virtually every major U.S. corporation, then attacking those corporations one by one: Anheuser-Busch, AT&T, Viacom, Verizon, Ford and on and on. Not only has this made him famous, it has made him wealthy, with an annual income estimated to exceed $300,000.
How did style guru Mr. Blackwell become famous? By issuing an annual list of Worst Dressed Women in World, and thus attacking some of most famous females on planet.
After more than four decades, Mr. Blackwell’s list remains among most anticipated – and dreaded – bricks in all of entertainment and fashion.
Among his recent victims: Princess Stephanie, pop singer Britney Spears, game show host Anne Robinson, royal companion Camilla Parker Bowles, film star Kate Hudson and TV actress Gillian Anderson.
