Even before the WGA strike, celebrities were starting to migrate their talents onto the internet. Between mega popular viral videos by Will Farrell and Jimmy Kimmel, technologies created by Kevin Rose and “leaked” sex tapes, there are plenty of ways for stars to maintain their relevance online.
In some cases, a celebrity’s status is larger online than it is in the real world - or close to it. Is it life imitating art, or art imitating the internet? With that said, check out our list of celebrities who not only made a move online, but benefited from it in a major way.
Will Ferrell - “FunnyOrDie“
It started as a simple concept: create a site where amateur comedians and troupes can get their sketches seen by millions while giving users the power to filter out garbage by voting on what’s funny and what isn’t. Presto, chango - FunnyOrDie was born.
FunnyOrDie has become the one-stop portal for amateur comedians to gain exposure and the go-to site for Will Ferrell’s A-list friends to display their viral video production talent - or lack thereof.
Kevin Rose - “DiggNation“
Where do we start with Kevin Rose? Hollywood called and Rose answered when he became an on-air talent and later as a co-host working on Tech TV’s popular show The Screen Savers (which later became Attack of the Show! on G4).
Rose’s run ended at Screen Savers in 2005. Instead of becoming a heroin junkie like other out of work Hollywood stars, Rose had an idea that would later become the largest community-based news article popularity social bookmarking, blogging website on the net. In conjunction with Digg, Rose put his TV production skills to work creating an immensely popular weekly podcast called DiggNation.
Tony Hawk - “ShredOrDie“
Tony Hawk has mastered the art of bringing the skateboarding subculture to the mainstream, so it’s no surprise that his web offering is mega successful.
ShredOrDie.com is Hawk’s new sports video site where users can watch and rate videos from top skaters, surfers and BMX riders, as well as upload their own. The site is run under the creative direction of Tony Hawk, who will be adding his own videos and picking his favorites on the site.
John C Reilly - “Steve Brule“
John C. Reilly stars as Dr. Steve Brule in Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! Brule, an inept news reporter, often appears uncomfortable being on air, lampooning the do-it-yourself segments featured on many local news stations. Of course, these clips struck viral internet gold.
The made for TV clips have proven to Hollywood big-shots that the internet can help, not hurt, promoting a show, and low budget 30 second YouTube clips and provide better marketing capability then an appearance on one of the late night network TV shows.
Reilly has opened the door for celebrities in viral videos including Matthew McConaughey, Brad Pitt, Jay-Z, Bono, Steven Spielberg and George Clooney.
Visit: Dr. Steve Brule’s Video Headquarters
Jenna Jameson - “ClubJenna“
Way back in 2000, before the internet was a hotbed for celebrities, Jenna Jameson formed ClubJenna.com, a site that set the bar for pornography online. ClubJenna was one of the first pornographic sites to provide more than just pictures and videos; it provided explicit diaries, relationship advice, and even stock tips to paid members.
In 2005 ClubJenna pulled in over $20 million in revenue, and two years later it was sold to Playboy Enterprises making Jameson a very rich entrepreneur.
Johnny Knoxville - “JackassWorld“
Ten years into his career, Johnny Knoxville has parlayed his Jackass fame into the launch of the first “cool” MTV social network-ish website, Jackassworld.com. The website allows his crew to have a 24 hour internet presence online that, contrary to popular belief, is actually funny (just check out the “submit pictures of your poop” thread).
Jackassworld is 100% immature entertainment that understands what people in the 15-24 year old market want from their online experience - a few laughs, voyeurism and mindless, quick content.
Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman
As a double threat, few can match the online prowess of this Hollywood power couple. Jimmy Kimmel and Sarah Silverman have been longtime supporters of the internet, and their viral love letters have taken their awkward and uncomfortable humor to a new audience.
For better or worse, the two are bringing late night to the internet.
Sway Calloway- “urSession.com“
Sway, the longtime MTV VJ is looking to use his star power and connections to change the way musicians use the internet.
While sites like MySpace, Virb and Pure Volume offer emerging artists the ability to promote their music, urSession, which Sway co-founded with System of a Down bassist Shavo Odadjian, allows artists to not only make their work available to users but they have the ability promote themselves, make business contacts and use the classified section too look for like-minded musicians - with the interested party listening to the their work right through the site.
Celebrity Internet Porn Stars
Ah, the leaked sex tape - what the internet can do to a fledgling acting career.
The viral nature of the internet has turned D List celebrities attention whores (and real whores; they’re usually one in the same) into household names, because they realize a pretty face won’t do it…but a flash of the vagina caught on camera and denial from the publicist will. Just ask Gene Simmons, who recently got nailed for seeking publicity by unleashing a sex tape.
Recent Sex Scandals: Adriana Lima, Gene Simmons, Vanessa Hudgens [NSFW], Vivica A. Fox, Vanessa Minnillo, Kim Kardashian [NSFW video], Meg White… and Eva Longroia (sorry Eva’s is only a spoof)
Most Revolutionary Celebrity Internet Internaut:
