Why Being a Dead Celebrity Is Good For You

Since I started writing this blog, I have mentioned at least two very dead celebrities - Jerry Garcia and Elvis Presley (alright, there's a doubt about Elvis...), not including the con-men mentioned in a previous post.

There seems to be a fascination about celebrities who have died, especialy if they died young (James Dean) or in wierd circumstances (Isadora Duncan), or both (Brandon Lee). Assasinated celebrities are the best because their deaths are premature and unexpected so they generate more interest (John Lennon).

Anyone who has a life-insurance policy has probably made the joke that they are worth more dead than alive. While this might be a [very mildly] humourous comment for the average person to make, it is probably true if you are a celebrity. For instance, let's say I have the late Princess Diana's nail-clippers. I bet I could sell them for a good few hundred dollars. I wouldn't even have to stoop to selling them on ebay. I'd go straight to Sotherby's. Being dead is good for business.

Deceased artists, gotta love them - they are poor during their lifetime, but become filthy rich when they die (except for a notable few who manage to be both alive and rich simultaneously). If Goya was alive today, he'd be better off dead.

Given the passage of time, I suppose that Elvis' estate has now amassed more money than the King himself ever made. So it looks like dying can be a good investment for the future.

Frank Sinatra died in 1998 at the age of 82. He had stopped performing in 1995. Sinatra was earning big bucks when he was working, the three years before his death were unproductive in terms of new income (ie: not royalties). I'm willing to bet that when he died, sales of Sinatra music soared. Now that's what I call a smart marketing move.

So, my point is that if you are a celebrity, you are probably better off dead than alive. Just do me one favour, please bequeath your nail-clippers to me. Thanks.