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The Liz Smith Column | 07/13/2009 12:00 am

Liz Smith: Lindsay Lohan – Nobody's 'Over' at 23

Also from Our Gossip Girl, George Clooney’s generosity; The Queen and Connie Stevens?! and Holland Taylor’s Back on the NY Stage.
Lindsay Lohan © Getty Images
"Is Lindsay Lohan’s Career Over?"

That was one of the screaming headlines on AOL’s homepage last week, an outlet given to hysteria and misleading snippets on any given day.

Apparently AOL took a poll, and 77% of people think the beautiful former child star’s career is kaput. I say all 77% are wrong. The girl just celebrated her 23rd birthday; it’s a little early to be hanging crepe on her and her livelihood.

All of this mean-spirited sniping stems from the fact that Lindsay turned down the female lead in one of this summer’s big hits, "The Hangover," which has taken in over $200 million. She didn’t like the script. Heather Graham took the part. Lohan did like the script of "Labor Pains," a movie that went straight to DVD.

Oh-kay! LL’s making some bad choices, but that hardly means she’s down for the count at 23!

Listen, every actor makes bad choices. Hollywood history is full of stars turning down the ace role. Who knows if "The Hangover" script she reportedly saw was the same thing that went before the cameras? It’s not like she turned down "Gone With the Wind."

I’ve been in this talented young woman’s corner since she first broke out as a sexy and glamorous teen star, grown up physically, if still emotionally immature. She’s been through a lot but it hardly helps to go around predicting the worst. How about allowing her to come out on the other side of her substance abuse issues and that very emotional relationship with Samantha Ronson without dooming her career?

I’m betting on a comeback – or a "return," as Norma Desmond preferred. After all, even former co-stars such as Meryl Streep and Jane Fonda have praised Lindsay’s talent and foresaw great things for her.

P.S. Lindsay looked just fine with Ellen DeGeneres the other day, and said "I didn’t get into the business to be in the tabloids. I’m really not that interesting … they follow me to the grocery store. What am I supposed to do?"

Oh, and despite the bad rap that Lindsay’s mother, Dina Lohan always gets, Lindsay vigorously defended her mama to Ellen.

So there! The girl’s taking it on the chin herself. Keep on keeping on, Lindsay!

***

It’s good to be king. Just ask George Clooney. It’s good to be cozy with the king. Just ask Thom Mathews, an old friend of George’s who is newly single. (Thom is the pal who allowed Clooney to sleep in his closet when the star first moved to Hollywood in the 1980s.)

George has treated Thom to a golfing trip to Ireland, a fun-filled week in Mexico at Clooney’s house and a week with George and the rest of his happy-go-lucky crew at Lake Como, Italy, where Clooney keeps his fabulous villa.

2009_0713_wiki_clooney.jpg
George Clooney/Image: Wikipedia

The moral is – allow starving actors to sleep in your closet or on the floor or even the windowsill. If they are nice, generous guys like George, you won’t have to ever say, "I knew him when but he doesn’t know me now!"

33 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

AndreaBrandon

Lindsay Lohan, the no talent drama queen?

Someone tell me why she gets top billing in this article, please.

By AndreaBrandon on 07/13/2009 2:35 am
BurkeOmalley
Actually, she is talented.  Which is why Liz Smith says not to count her out.
By BurkeOmalley on 07/13/2009 10:40 am
KellyInTexas

Considering the problems she has had to date, with Hollywood and all that goes with it….perhaps the very best thing for her would be for her career to be over….

Since when does making a change and becoming a more mainstream American, mean you’re "down for the count"…if she doesn’t face reality she may be down…permanently…think; Michael Jackson, Elvis, Marilyn….

By KellyInTexas on 07/13/2009 12:55 pm
JerryDale

Andrea, I have only seen one Lindsay Lohan movie (Prairie Home Companion) and knew nothing about her but I was amazed at how good she was in that film! She honestly held her own on screen with Meryl Streep and Lily Tomlin. In short, our beloved Ms. Smith knows of what she writes.  (Also, Liz tends to give lesbians in the entertainment business lots of good press, which is fine by me!)

By JerryDale on 07/13/2009 2:48 am
LC4

When Lindsay Lohan first started having problems I offered some suggestions. Firstly, I was praying for her. I suggested she find some place secluded to get the help she needed with all addictions and  problems. I also suggested she not jump in and out of relationships but give herself time to heal. I thought she needed time with herself to hear her voice instead of all the voices around her. I felt she should take time to learn which persons truly had her best interests at heart and loved her. Her life and career are far from over! … I wish her well!

By LC4 on 07/13/2009 5:26 am
AnneLenoir
George Clooney hasn’t many any golf trip in Ireland, he has been spotted in a Los Cabos’ hotel (he has no house there) and he has a villa in Lake Como. But you’re right, he is famous for being very generous, especially towards his friends who happens to have some problems.
By AnneLenoir on 07/13/2009 6:45 am
SG3
Her new movie looks hillarious. I hope the kid has conquered her problems and enjoys the rest of her career:)
By SG3 on 07/13/2009 7:38 am
WashingtonCube
Waiting for wOw.  I have nothing to say about marriage, abortions, female newscasters or Lindsay Lohan. Well.  Holland Taylor. Applause for her.
By WashingtonCube on 07/13/2009 9:14 am
ChromeToe

23? …. she IS young. I have never understood why it is that photogs and tabloids just decided one day that they’d follow this girl everywhere on the planet. and she’s right. she really isn’t that interesting. No reflection on her personally. Just that no 23 year old is that interesting!

By ChromeToe on 07/13/2009 9:23 am
audb
LOL.. you are so right.  I wish i was 23 again.. with everything I know now.  She really is no different then your average 23 year old now…   a majority of them have no idea what they want to do or where to go and really haven’t developed a sense of direction or work ethic…. I know I didn’t.  I know a majority of the 20 year olds that work for me don’t.   Eek… being in your early 20’s is worse then the tween years….
By audb on 07/17/2009 11:07 am
LilaKuh

I agree the average 23-year-old is not that interesting, but LiLo has given the paparazzi plenty of fodder and motivation with her partying antics at the popular hot spots.  Don’t want to be bothered by paps?  Avoid driving drunk, wrecking your car, or passing out in public after a night of partying… argue with your friends in private… wear underwear, for God’s sake.

Dignity and reserve just don’t sell.  Have a little of that and you’ll be fine!

By LilaKuh on 07/13/2009 9:53 am
CJ7

It was Britney Spears who didn’t wear underwear :D

But I agree.  Displaying good behavior will quickly bore the pap’s and they will move on to someone else.

By CJ7 on 07/14/2009 12:44 pm
CaroleDelMonte
Over at 23? When I saw that headline I instantly dismissed it. These kids today will have fun & if they don’t go too far with the wild living will simply re-invent themselves when ready & be welcomed back with open arms.  I’m talking about people with talent, & I believe that Lindsay is one of those. 
By CaroleDelMonte on 07/13/2009 10:37 am
WashingtonCube

I’d rather talk about Fred Thomson or Marie Dressler.

By WashingtonCube on 07/13/2009 12:19 pm
DeenaB
Who?  Oh.  Before my time.  (kidding….) 
By DeenaB on 07/14/2009 11:01 am