Other Hollywood careers may inspire Lohan

Julia Roberts
Even actresses who didn’t suffer the travails of child stardom can hit a rough patch. But with hard work and the right choice of parts, an actress can transform herself from tabloid punchline to well-regarded thespian. Take Julia Roberts: Back in the early ’90s, Roberts was a box-office draw with two Academy Award nominations, but she still managed to get more ink about her private life than about her work. There was the last-minute cancellation of her wedding to Kiefer Sutherland, followed by the all-too-brief marriage to Lyle Lovett. The fact that she was simultaneously making movies like "Hook" and "I Love Trouble" wasn’t helping, either.

But given Roberts’ current stardom and her do-gooder reputation for her work with UNICEF, it takes a moment to even recall that this dark period in her career ever happened. So if Lohan can connect with talented filmmakers and actively repair her off-screen image, the public at large could easily forget her privates-flashing, nightclub-attending past. What else can she learn from Roberts? Play to your strengths. After flopping in the bleak period drama "Mary Reilly", Roberts grew out her hair and starred in the crowd-pleasing comedy "My Best Friend’s Wedding". Also, Roberts has become a master at using the press when she needs to (e.g., appearing on Oprah for a softball interview when she has a movie to hype) and keeping them at arms’ length when she wants to (remember how long it took to see photos of her twins?).

Jena Malone
“Who?” you may be asking, but that’s OK with Malone. After early, attention-getting appearances in "Stepmom" and the TV movie "Bastard Out of Carolina", she made it clear that she was more focused on doing interesting work than in being a star. And “interesting” is an understatement when discussing Malone’s acting choices, which have included indie faves like "Saved!" and "Donnie Darko", the Oscar-nominated period piece "Pride & Prejudice", and Broadway’s "Doubt".

If the history of Hollywood has taught us anything, it’s that it's easier to reach obscurity than stardom, so if Lohan wants to turn her back on fame in favor of embracing the craft of acting, that would be an effortless option for her. But again — sorry, Dina; Malone legally emancipated herself from her mother after allegations of mismanagement of funds.

Lohan has it in her to be one of the most talented actresses of her generation. If the rehab can stick, if her mother can stop elbowing her way into the spotlight, and if past mentors like Tina Fey (Lohan’s co-star and writer on "Mean Girls") and Meryl Streep can continue to guide her in the future, there’s no reason why we won’t be taking her seriously. And like Drew Barrymore, she can look back at this bad-girl period of her life and shudder a bit. And then laugh.

Duralde is the author of "101 Must-See Movies for Gay Men" (Alyson Books). Find him at www.alonsoduralde.com

MORE FROM CELEBRITIES

Celebrities Section Front

Brinkley testifies affair 'shattered' her world Accountant sues Rachael Ray for $1 million Paparazzi feel the heat in California Brinkley's husband details affair with teen French locals indifferent to Brangelina Joy Division singer's gravestone stolen Jolie’s doctor says twins could be weeks away Will Doherty bring Brenda back to '90210'? TMZ allowed to repost part of Troyer sex tape DMX arrested on outstanding warrants Celebrities Section Front   Add Celebrities headlines to your news reader: