Celebrity Obsession: 4 Crazy Fans Who Went Too Far
Are you a celebrity obsessed? Do you know someone who is?
Many people are obsessed with celebrities, waiting eagerly for news feeds to update them. But did you know that there were obsessive fans out there who went too far?
From stalking to becoming bankrupt, there are many consequences of being obsessed with somebody. Read on to find out about the 4 most extreme crazy fans of celebrities who went too far with their obsessions.
1. John Hinckley Jr
John Hinckley Jr is perhaps one of the most notorious examples of extreme celebrity obsession gone wrong. In 1981, Hinckley attempted to assassinate President Ronald Reagan to impress actress Jodie Foster. Hinckley shot the President and three other people outside the Washington Hilton Hotel, but miraculously Reagan survived the attack.
Hinckley said he was trying to make Foster love him, claiming he was desperate for her attention and approval. His obsession with the actress had become so extreme that he thought death was the only way to win her affection.
2. Robert John Bardo
Robert John Bardo developed an obsession with the actress Rebecca Schaeffer, going as far as sending her letters and postcards. He was eventually able to track down Schaeffer’s address, and he traveled to Los Angeles to find her. Bardo knocked on her door and asked her to have a date with him, which she refused.
After she refused, Bardo shot Rebecca Schaeffer dead. This case is particularly notorious because of how Bardo acted on his celebrity obsession. He not only became fixated on his object of obsession but also took extreme actions to try to be close to them.
3. Mark David Chapman
Celebrity obsession can lead to dangerous consequences in extreme situations. This was true for Mark David Chapman, the man who murdered John Lennon on December 8, 1980. Chapman is a classic example of a fan who went too far in his obsession with a celebrity. Despite posing for a picture with Lennon just hours before he was shot and killed, Chapman was never deterred in his mission of murder.
He was determined to take away Lennon’s life, as was evident by Chapman’s carrying of J.D. Salinger’s Catcher in the Rye around with him, an apparent reference to his mission. Tragically, Chapman’s unhinged obsession with Lennon led him to take the life of one of the world’s most beloved and talented singers.
4. Margaret Mary Ray
There was a worldwide shock when a David Letterman stalker, Margaret Mary Ray, was found outside the comedian’s Connecticut home. Ray had previously broken into Letterman’s New York studio, broke into the Montana ranch owned by his then-girlfriend, and even kidnapped two of Letterman’s personal assistants. Ray was diagnosed with schizophrenia and erotomania.
This just shows that mental illness paired with an obsessive infatuation with a star can create an incredibly dangerous situation. That is why celebrities these days make it a point to hire private security personnel. To get a better understanding of how such a service can be helpful in society, get more info on celebrity-armed securities.
Understand How Celebrity Obsession Leads to Crazy Fans
Celebrity obsession has reached a boiling point, with some crazy fans taking it too far. It is essential to remember that celebrities are people, too, and need their privacy and respect from fans. To take a stand and not support this type of behavior, start being conscious of the things around you and make the world a safer place.
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