THERE’S something about show biz stardom that appears to cloak otherwise ordinary mortals with the mantle of pluperfection, invincibility and agelessness.

Take Eddie Garcia and Gloria Romero: They’re older than many people, with careers that have spanned more than 50 years—and yet, when they appear on the small or big screen, they exude the same glamor and charisma that made them stars, oh, so long ago.

In Hollywood, senior stars like Robert Redford and Elizabeth Taylor are similarly prized as “eternal” icons of the silver screen, never mind if they haven’t made a movie in years.

The constancy of stardom is valued by viewers, because it assures them that, in a world where very little is certain, some stellar verities can be depended on to make the entertainment world, and empathetically, life itself, special.

At the other end of the age spectrum, viewers are especially shocked when, once in a long while, some stars die young. The latest instance of this is the sudden passing last week, at only 20 years old, of Marky Cielo. The cause of death has yet to be definitely established, but the numbing fact is, Marky is no longer with us.

Shock and grief

A few years ago, it was Miko Sotto. Before that, Rico Yan. In both instances, shock and grief were extreme, and the entertainment media mined them for all the six-handkerchief pathos and bathos they were worth.

Instead of feeling exploited and manipulated, viewers went along for the lugubrious ride, mourning the dear departed young stars’ much too premature departure.

In Hollywood, the reaction is sometimes even more extreme. When Rudolf Valentino died, some of his female fans attempted suicide. One of them even kept vigil at his grave for an alarmingly long period of time.

Bruce Lee’s departure was similarly shocking, and generated its own level of hysteria. Marilyn Monroe was no spring chicken when she died, but her shocking and still controversial demise was so traumatic to her fans that it made her an even greater icon than she was when she was alive.

The popular Hollywood star who died young (at only 23) was James Dean. Only a few years before he died in a car crash, he was an unknown. Then came “Rebel Without A Cause,” “East of Eden” and “Giant”—and after only three movies, Dean became a big star, the iconic representation of an entire generation of angry and rebellious young Americans.

The way his star was skyrocketing, Dean appeared to be destined for greatness. And yet, it was not to be. But, his sudden demise had a positive effect, despite its shockingly tragic overtones: It reminded his millions of young fans that, despite the “fact” that they had at least 50 years to enjoy their lives, the possibility was always there that they could be dead tomorrow—so, they should never take their time left for granted, and they should live life to the fullest.

Key factor

It isn’t likely that the same thing will happen to Marky’s fans, because he had yet to play the iconic roles that Dean was able to chalk up in so short a time. But, Marky’s youth, like Dean’s, could make him iconic even after death, as the key factor of “roles and opportunities missed” kicks in.

Even more tellingly, if the “mystery” behind Marky’s death takes an even more controversial turn, his demise could also take on some of the undertones of Marilyn Monroe’s similarly “mysterious” case—which remains controversial after all these years.