[El Diablo]

Cardo,

Largely it's just pure numbers and access to information. When you had a limited number of studios, a limited number of movies, and a limited number of infromation outlets/options, being a star was a much more rarified thing.

Nowadays that level of iconic status is reserved for the top of the top. Tiger Woods in sport has reached that status. But, overall, in entertainment, the lifespan of stars burning at their brightest is often a far shorter timeframe than in the past. Some like Michael Jackson, Bono, Madonna, Mick Jagger, Paul McCartney etc. are in the running, though. Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, and a few other movie stars too.

But, overall, it's all about the money, man. And it's more effective to churn out a bunch of short-lived superstars than develop megastars.