The Star Maker Poster

The Star Maker 1981

★ 4.01 votes192 min📅 1981-05-11

From 1981 comes a classic Hollywood drama that dives deep into ambition and manipulation, *The Star Maker* directed by Lou Antonio.

Director: Lou Antonio

Cast

Rock Hudson
Rock Hudson
Danny Youngblood
Suzanne Pleshette
Suzanne Pleshette
Margot Murray
Melanie Griffith
Melanie Griffith
Dawn Barnett Youngblood
Jack Scalia
Jack Scalia
Vince Martino
Jeffrey Tambor
Jeffrey Tambor
Harry Lanson
April Clough
April Clough
Honey Potts
Kristian Alfonso
Kristian Alfonso
Kelly Blake
Dan Hamilton
Spiros Livadas
Ed McMahon
Ed McMahon
Lou Parker
Brenda Vaccaro
Brenda Vaccaro
Dolores Baker

Frequently Asked Questions

What is The Star Maker (1981) about?

This drama follows Danny Youngblood, a celebrated director who crafts stars from aspiring actresses—only to marry them, one after another. When he targets Margot Murray, a sharp-witted newcomer, she flips the script and challenges his control, leading to a battle of wills in the glittering yet cutthroat world of 1980s Hollywood.

Who directed The Star Maker?

The Star Maker was directed by Lou Antonio, a filmmaker known for his work in television drama during the 1970s and 1980s.

Who stars in The Star Maker?

The film features Rock Hudson, Suzanne Pleshette, Melanie Griffith, Jeffrey Tambor, and Jack Scalia in key roles.

Is The Star Maker (1981) worth watching?

As a drama rooted in Hollywood's golden age, *The Star Maker* offers a fascinating mix of ambition, romance, and moral conflict. While it may not have a widely known rating, its strong performances and sharp themes make it a compelling watch for fans of character-driven stories and classic TV cinema.

How long is The Star Maker?

The Star Maker (1981) runs for 192 minutes, making it a substantial feature-length TV movie.

About The Star Maker (1981) — A Hollywood power struggle with Rock Hudson at its core

From 1981 comes a classic Hollywood drama that dives deep into ambition and manipulation, *The Star Maker* directed by Lou Antonio. The story centers on Danny Youngblood, a powerful director whose life revolves around molding beautiful actresses into stars—only to make them his wives in a cycle of control and conquest. When he sets his sights on Margot Murray, a determined newcomer, their dynamic takes a sharp turn as she refuses to play by his rules and turns the tables on him instead. Blending sharp character drama with the golden-age glamour of 1980s cinema, this TV movie explores themes of power, identity, and redemption against a backdrop of gaudy studios and smoky backrooms.

With Rock Hudson delivering a career-best performance as the ruthless Danny, and Suzanne Pleshette adding depth as Margot, the film crackles with tension and emotional complexity. The supporting cast, including Melanie Griffith in a standout early role and Jeffrey Tambor in one of his first major appearances, rounds out a story that's as much about ego as it is about empowerment. Whether you're drawn to its behind-the-scenes peek at Hollywood's darker side or its gripping character arcs, *The Star Maker (1981)* remains a compelling watch decades later.