Hollywood Rumors Can Kill A Career

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I’m joined by journalist Allen Salkin to dive into his new Hollywood Reporter podcast, Gerbil, which investigates the origins of the infamous, long-running Hollywood urban legend surrounding Richard Gere. We trace my own vivid memory of hearing the wild ER rumor back in the summer of 1989 and break down how pre-internet viral rumors, celebrity gay panic, mass media psychology, and deep-seated Hollywood jealousy fuel these unstoppable urban legends. Along the way, we connect it to the mechanics of public lies, touching on his Vanity Fair work behind Bad Vegan, Hilaria Baldwin’s accent controversy, and even my own personal experience facing a career-damaging, completely false tabloid rumor…