Is step 1 investing in puff pieces from the Hollywood reporter? I mean, firstly, this isn't really HN material. But secondly, there doesn't seem to be any insight into this article other than "Be an incredibly successful movie star from the 90s". He joined netflix once they were big, he joined social media a decade late, he tanked his movie career trying to force his son into being a movie star, and he's got some pretty minor investments in tech.

Personally, I think what's far more interesting is the general trend of movie stars being able to get favourable investment opportunities in VC situations because founders are keen on schmoozing with the stars. Like, what exactly happened that made Olivia Munn a good investor for Uber in 2011? I can't help but think getting some peppercorn investments from naive hollywood stars so that you can astro-turf some good PR for your 'eco-water' is a viable strategy.

The insight is the insanity of the movie business. Even if he is torched earth in Hollywood, with the worst career choices of the decade, with critical bombs after critical bombs, he still managed to be successful outside of the business "somehow". It's one of those tales, never underestimate the desperate ex-star, even if he is the worst of the worst. You can outplay the system somehow.

It's a shame, given that Smith actually is talented. This is the Ashton Kutcher/The Rock way to be rich and famous without actually needing to be talented. It's a testament to how much our society currently sucks, and how far I hope it will crumble when the next generation hopefully ceases to be as ridiculous.

The next generation never ceases to be as ridiculous.

I know, it seems that way, but one can hope.