Are Some People "Has-Beens?"

[MainerMikeBrown]

A lot of people I know who talk about someone who used to be famous and successful, such as an old time rock star or former movie star, say that they're "has-beens."

However, I don't think that's always the case.

The thing is, I think it's possible that some people who's days as a famous rock star or movie star are behind them are actually happier now than they were when they were big name stars.

 

[KingKong]

While that can be true, I'd say the opposite can also be true as well and not just for celebrities.

I know some people who were on their way to making it big and then got an unexpected setback and found themselves having to ditch the fame. Some of them are happy now but others seem to be depressed on the inside and appear rather unhappy about the situation.

 

[MMMMatilde]

Are you defining a has-been as someone who was once great or on their way to being great and is now not? Or are you defining it as someone who is either happy or unhappy after greatness?

Also, some people, whilst not doing what they originally became great for could be doing amazing work for society. Has-been sounds like a negative term to me and I don't think a situation like that should be destined by such a negative term.

Maybe if I was to put my own meaning to it I would consider someone who after greatness lost all motivation to do anything with their lives because of a one hit wonder or failure a has-been.

 

[tajnz]

I think the only people who are truly has-beens are people who live in their past and their memories and are no longer focused on creating a brighter future. When it comes to celebrities, there are many like Robert Downey Junior who hit an all time low and were refereed to as a has-been but manage to res-erect their career years later.