Does Nudity Damage The Career Of An Actress?

**Giacson** · August 21st, 2009, 05:26 AM

I've read this argument time and again and dont understand how it holds much weight. Does nudity really hurt the career of an actress? Some believe that it ruins the mystery of whats behind the clothes and makes fans wander to the next big attraction, having ended any further interest. I just dont believe that, at least not for true fans of a worthy actress. Here's a very short list of proof from my perspective, given the popularity of these women who've dared to bare all or, to some extent, partially...

Kate Beckinsale
Angelina Jolie
Ann Margaret
Hellen Mirren
Teri Garr
Naomi Watts
Holly Hunter
Gweneth Paltrow (and her mother)
Catherine Zeta Jones
Sophie Marceau
Mary Steenburgen
Monica Bellucci
Nicole Kidman

I have complete confidence that the numerous VEF members much more celeb savy than I could give many more fine examples.

To an extreme, from another forum I saw a member go into a rant about how Chloe Sevigny had been blacklisted by Hollywood for her explicit acts in the "Brown Bunny" and her career as an actress was officialy over. As her IMDB shows, nothing could be further from the truth.

I feel the main reasons for most refusing to go nude is purely a matter of personal preference, shyness, or they just dont feel they have a body most would care to see. All of these reasons I have complete respect for.

What is your opinion?

**John C. Holmes** · August 21st, 2009, 07:03 AM

In at least one case lack of nudity has damaged careers. (Jessica Alba.) NOBODY wants to see her try to act as she's terrible.

Estreeter · August 21st, 2009, 07:10 AM

Does Nudity Damage The Career Of An Actress?

Good question, I think it all depends on the actress and her ability to be one, her prior roles, her reputation as an actress and a celebrity and the scene in question.
For example, should Meryl Streep do it, not a problem, then along comes Madonna, I know which is prettier, but I also know which would get less negative comments.

arseface666 · August 21st, 2009, 08:18 AM

I would say it's more to do with the type of film the nudity is in. Once you've bared all in b-movie erotic thrillers and the like, it's virtually impossible to come back to the mainstream.

However, look at the winners of the Best Actress Oscar over the last ten years: Kate Winslet, Marion Cotilliard, Helen Mirren, Reese Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry... all of whom have shown significant skin on screen (Julia Roberts and Hilary Swank have also won in this timescale and they've been more coy about getting naked).

Fan · August 21st, 2009, 08:25 AM

On the other side of the coin, some actresses have damaged their careers by making such an issue that they WON'T do a nude scene, even when the role requires it (Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman for instance; there are plenty of others).

I don't think it matters whether they have a stunning body or not: they're actresses and they're playing a role, and using their own body is surely a part of it?

If the actress has strength of character she'll do it where the role demands and then move on...if she can't do that then that says a lot about her immaturity IMHO.

AnthemZ · August 21st, 2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arseface666

I would say it's more to do with the type of film the nudity is in. Once you've bared all in b-movie erotic thrillers and the like, it's virtually impossible to come back to the mainstream.

However, look at the winners of the Best Actress Oscar over the last ten years: Kate Winslet, Marion Cotilliard, Helen Mirren, Reese Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry... all of whom have shown significant skin on screen (Julia Roberts and Hilary Swank have also won in this timescale and they've been more coy about getting naked).

In Hilary Swanks case, she was nude and won for that role in Boys Don't Cry.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0171804/

What annoys me is when actresses can't wait to strip in movies when they start out. Then suddenly become "dignified" and keep themselves covered up after a little success.

snoopy1664 · August 21st, 2009, 08:53 AM

But can think of an example where it has: Can't really be bothered to look her up but the actress from Showgirls seems to have completely dropped orf the radar...I guess she imagined her career going the way of Sharon Stone's but things didn't seem to work out...

Having said that, I did hear that Dee Hepburn, from Gregory's Girl, refused to get 'em out and hence faded from view. I would have paid good money to see them pups..

On a personal level, I'm not too keen on actresses who haven't bared all, or at least some.. Always seems too much of a tease thing going on..

avidfan · August 21st, 2009, 09:55 AM

well halle berry got 'em out in swordfish and her career went from strength to strength!

darkmoonfire · August 21st, 2009, 11:10 AM

I think it depends on the talent of the actress, perhaps her personality, and to some degree it's choice of agent, and luck.

Contrast and compare Kate Winslet with Demi Moore for example. While Demi Moore was willing to strip she was getting work, because that's her only sellable talent. Now, not so much. I assume she'd still strip -- but really, not many takers for that.

However, Winona Ryder refuses to remove her clothes, but remains one of the singular least-talented actress ever to waste celluloid. She's not worked much in the past 10 years though, fortunately.

I think if anyone can figure out what creates, sustains and develops any actor's career they'd make a fortune. Because those of us who work in the Business have no clue whatsoever why anything happens they way it does -- why some talentless people gain super-stardom, while many deeply talented people never see the light of day.

As far as I can see, if you have talent, nudity is a non-sequitur to your career. If you've no talent, then get 'em out, because at least you'll get work.

**mrfixit** · August 21st, 2009, 12:34 PM

More bond girls have lost their career than actresses that have done one or more nude scenes.

August 21st, 2009, 05:26 AM	#1
Giacson Vintage Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 441 Thanks: 3,460 Thanked 8,758 Times in 435 Posts	Does Nudity Damage The Career Of An Actress? I've read this argument time and again and dont understand how it holds much weight. Does nudity really hurt the career of an actress? Some believe that it ruins the mystery of whats behind the clothes and makes fans wander to the next big attraction, having ended any further interest. I just dont believe that, at least not for true fans of a worthy actress. Here's a very short list of proof from my perspective, given the popularity of these women who've dared to bare all or, to some extent, partially... Kate Beckinsale Angelina Jolie Ann Margaret Hellen Mirren Teri Garr Naomi Watts Holly Hunter Gweneth Paltrow (and her mother) Catherine Zeta Jones Sophie Marceau Mary Steenburgen Monica Bellucci Nicole Kidman I have complete confidence that the numerous VEF members much more celeb savy than I could give many more fine examples. To an extreme, from another forum I saw a member go into a rant about how Chloe Sevigny had been blacklisted by Hollywood for her explicit acts in the "Brown Bunny" and her career as an actress was officialy over. As her IMDB shows, nothing could be further from the truth. I feel the main reasons for most refusing to go nude is purely a matter of personal preference, shyness, or they just dont feel they have a body most would care to see. All of these reasons I have complete respect for. What is your opinion? Last edited by Giacson; August 22nd, 2009 at 01:08 PM..

August 21st, 2009, 07:10 AM	#3
Estreeter *Administrator* Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: The 19th hole Posts: 58,080 Thanks: 449,393 Thanked 896,457 Times in 60,281 Posts	Does Nudity Damage The Career Of An Actress? Good question, I think it all depends on the actress and her ability to be one, her prior roles, her reputation as an actress and a celebrity and the scene in question. For example, should Meryl Streep do it, not a problem, then along comes Madonna, I know which is prettier, but I also know which would get less negative comments. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

August 21st, 2009, 08:53 AM	#7
snoopy1664 Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Posts: 45 Thanks: 103 Thanked 798 Times in 42 Posts	Mostly Agree That it Doesn't Hurt Them... But can think of an example where it has: Can't really be bothered to look her up but the actress from Showgirls seems to have completely dropped orf the radar...I guess she imagined her career going the way of Sharon Stone's but things didn't seem to work out... Having said that, I did hear that Dee Hepburn, from Gregory's Girl, refused to get 'em out and hence faded from view. I would have paid good money to see them pups.. On a personal level, I'm not too keen on actresses who haven't bared all, or at least some.. Always seems too much of a tease thing going on.. __________________ Those aren't pillows!

August 21st, 2009, 12:34 PM	#10
mrfixit Vintage Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Elm Street Posts: 9,401 Thanks: 165,736 Thanked 114,763 Times in 9,415 Posts	More bond girls have lost their career than actresses that have done one or more nude scenes. __________________ To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. Where's my Illudium PU-36 Explosive Space Modulator?

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August 21st, 2009, 07:03 AM	#2
John C. Holmes Vintage Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 710 Thanks: 14,636 Thanked 7,446 Times in 682 Posts	In at least one case lack of nudity has damaged careers. (Jessica Alba.) NOBODY wants to see her try to act as she's terrible.

August 21st, 2009, 08:18 AM	#4
arseface666 Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 75 Thanks: 120 Thanked 1,995 Times in 74 Posts	I would say it's more to do with the type of film the nudity is in. Once you've bared all in b-movie erotic thrillers and the like, it's virtually impossible to come back to the mainstream. However, look at the winners of the Best Actress Oscar over the last ten years: Kate Winslet, Marion Cotilliard, Helen Mirren, Reese Witherspoon, Charlize Theron, Nicole Kidman, Halle Berry... all of whom have shown significant skin on screen (Julia Roberts and Hilary Swank have also won in this timescale and they've been more coy about getting naked).

August 21st, 2009, 08:25 AM	#5
Fan Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 173 Thanks: 10,032 Thanked 4,466 Times in 188 Posts	On the other side of the coin, some actresses have damaged their careers by making such an issue that they WON'T do a nude scene, even when the role requires it (Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman for instance; there are plenty of others). I don't think it matters whether they have a stunning body or not: they're actresses and they're playing a role, and using their own body is surely a part of it? If the actress has strength of character she'll do it where the role demands and then move on...if she can't do that then that says a lot about her immaturity IMHO.

August 21st, 2009, 09:55 AM	#8
avidfan Blocked! Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 171 Thanks: 164 Thanked 390 Times in 120 Posts	well halle berry got 'em out in swordfish and her career went from strength to strength!

August 21st, 2009, 11:10 AM	#9
darkmoonfire Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 9 Thanks: 2 Thanked 69 Times in 9 Posts	I think it depends on the talent of the actress, perhaps her personality, and to some degree it's choice of agent, and luck. Contrast and compare Kate Winslet with Demi Moore for example. While Demi Moore was willing to strip she was getting work, because that's her only sellable talent. Now, not so much. I assume she'd still strip -- but really, not many takers for that. However, Winona Ryder refuses to remove her clothes, but remains one of the singular least-talented actress ever to waste celluloid. She's not worked much in the past 10 years though, fortunately. I think if anyone can figure out what creates, sustains and develops any actor's career they'd make a fortune. Because those of us who work in the Business have no clue whatsoever why anything happens they way it does -- why some talentless people gain super-stardom, while many deeply talented people never see the light of day. As far as I can see, if you have talent, nudity is a non-sequitur to your career. If you've no talent, then get 'em out, because at least you'll get work.