Part 3/11:
The decline can also be attributed to how Hollywood builds star personas. Iconic actors like Tom Cruise have cultivated lifelong images—think "Top Gun" or "Risky Business"—which stick with audiences over decades, fostering a sense of gravitas and credibility. Once an actor establishes this reputation, it becomes challenging for younger actors to build equivalent aura without years of work.
Today, many young actors head directly into streaming projects, avoiding the big-budget, high-stakes productions that serve as jumping-off points for lasting stardom. This changes the landscape, making it more difficult for newcomers to accumulate the "gravitas" that older actors have painstakingly built over years of consistent, high-profile roles.