(No. 3 in a series)

Hollywood and Our End

Richard Hollerman

Have you ever asked why Hollywood has such a dreadful, terrible, and compromising reputation? Why is it that actors and actresses live and die without hope? If you have ever read the obituaries of leading actors, why is it that seldom if ever do they reveal that such-and-such a person repented during the final years of his life? Was it that they were tied to money during their life and at the end of life they discover that money can’t solve things (Hebrews 13:5)? Or could it be that most want the praise of others (cf. John 12:43)—and anything that would jeopardize this standing is too much to pay? Or is there some other reason for this lack of repentance, remorse, and restitution?

This is true. One would think that a person who reaches age 50 would make an about-face and repent of the series of twenty or forty years of films he or she played in and then repent and live the remainder of his or her life in a drastically different way! But, no, this hardly ever is the case. They are content with their worldly lifestyle—and die as they have lived!

In fact, one would think that if a person reaches age 60 or 70 or even 80 or 90, that such a person would be willing to repent thoroughly and begin to live differently. But from what I’ve read, this very seldom (if ever) happens. As they live (in worldliness), so they die!

The person may have a part in a movie in his or her latter years, then the last five years it is all over! Then comes his or her death. The person may live to 80 or 90 and then is gone. His earthly life is over. He may receive an acting award or two, and then he dies. He is thereupon buried in an exclusive cemetery in Hollywood and that is all! (Note: You will notice that we are not dealing with the whole issue of “acting” and what this means. Please see the website for this particular issue.)

Surely the person knows that his time is coming to an end. His probation on earth is nearly gone. What is left? Nothing but death!

The actor may think that he will die and that will be the end of his earthly life. This would be a typical atheistic or agnostic death. In other words, death will end it all. In other cases, perhaps the actor or actress thinks that certain religious rituals will wipe his life from sin and get him into heaven. We remember reading about the death of John Wayne, the proverbial “he-man” who played masculine parts in countless movies. But even this actor called for a Catholic priest to administer the “last rites” and then died of cancer (through cancer, if I’m not mistaken). What a sad and meaningless life this was. And what a deceptive way to end one’s life!

Is this really the answer to life and death? Sometimes we assume that the actor or actress vainly imagines that his good deeds will outweigh the bad ones—and God will mercifully receive such a person into His eternal kingdom! No, it generally doesn’t work this way. We are not saved by our “good deeds” but by the mercy of God based on the sacrifice of Christ! If we try to be saved by our deeds, we will be sorely disappointed. Besides, what actor or actress really depends on his deeds to give him an entrance into heaven?

Death is coming for all of us and one must be prepared. As Scripture says, “It is appointed for men to die once, and after this comes judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). Let’s take the words of Jesus our Lord seriously! Notice the significant words of Christ Jesus: “I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies, and everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26a). Only those who “live” and “believe” in the Lord Jesus will live forever in bliss!

Do you want to live forever? Do you want to be with God after you leave this “vale of tears”? If so, we must believe and follow the truthful words of Jesus: “Everyone who lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25-26a). This sounds strangely out of character for a movie star, doesn’t it? Let’s not be as the Hollywood actors and actresses and live such a vain, useless, and futile life. Let’s find our refuge in Jesus the Lord who will give eternal life with Him!

If these Hollywood stars would only think through their situation. At best, they may live for a hundred years. But what about their living 500 years, 1,000 years, 10,000 years, or one million years? It’s extremely short-sighted for them to live a superficial and pleasure-filled life for a brief time and then depart to meet God and be cast into eternal fire (Luke 16:19-31). But this is what will happen to the vast majority of actors and actresses—unless they repent and make restitution. (And this repentance and change of heart and life will surely mean that they renounce all of the piling up of riches they have illegitimately done!)

The next time you see reference to a Hollywood star, please don’t gaze starry-eyed at such a person. No, this person is very, very foolish and will be in anguish for all eternity—unless he or she repents and comes to Christ Jesus! (See Luke 16:19-31). Now is the time to repent and come in faith to God through Christ Jesus! Now is the time to repent and be baptized (immersed) in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:37-41).

What will count will not be the number of movies he has performed in or the number of awards he has received, not the amount of money he has amassed, or whether one lives in an exclusive, luxurious home in Beverley Hills or overlooking the Santa Monica beach. What matters is whether one truly knows Jesus Christ in His forgiveness! Do you and I know—really know—Jesus?