Part of Our Ongoing Series About Folks Who Achieved Great Things After Their 50th Birthday

The name Hedda Hopper has long been synonymous with the golden age of Hollywood gossip. As one of the most influential — and even feared — columnists of her time, she wielded immense power, making and breaking careers with the stroke of her pen. Her larger-than-life persona and uncompromising style made her a fixture in the lives of both celebrities and the entertainment-consuming public alike. She became a cultural icon that still looms large over the world of entertainment journalism.

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of Ms. Hopper’s colossal success and remarkable career as a gossip columnist is that it all happened after her 50th birthday.  Let’s take a look at her life, work and reputation.

Beginnings

Born Elda Furry in 1885 in a small town in Pennsylvania, Hopper’s journey to the heights of Hollywood stardom was far from conventional. After a brief stint as a chorus girl on the Broadway stage, she caught the eye of wealthy businessman DeWolf Hopper and married him in 1914, becoming Hedda Hopper in the process. While her marriage to the much older Hopper was tumultuous, it provided her with the financial stability and social connections that would ultimately shape her future career.

Launching a Writing Career

Hopper’s foray into the world of journalism began in the 1920s when she started writing a fashion column for the Chicago Tribune. However, it was her move to Hollywood in 1938 — at age 53 — that truly catapulted her to fame. Settling into her new role as a gossip columnist for the Los Angeles Times, Hopper quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with, using her sharp wit, keen eye for detail and uncompromising style to expose the private lives of the silver screen’s biggest stars.

Making of a Gossip Queen

Hopper’s column, “Hedda Hopper’s Hollywood,” became a must-read for anyone with even a passing interest in the inner workings of the film industry. She delighted in dishing the dirt on the latest scandals, feuds and affairs, often using her position to settle personal scores or exact revenge on those who had crossed her. Her reputation for ruthlessness and unwavering determination earned her the moniker “Queen of the Hollywood Gossips,” a title she wore with pride.

A Fabled Rivalry

Despite her formidable reputation, Hopper was not without her own demons. She was known to be deeply insecure and often used her column as a means of asserting her own power and status within the industry. Her feuds with fellow gossip columnist Louella Parsons were legendary, with the two women engaging in a bitter rivalry that often spilled over into their respective columns.

Power and Influence

Yet, despite her flaws, Hopper’s influence on the entertainment industry cannot be overstated. She played a pivotal role in shaping the public perception of Hollywood’s elite, using her platform to champion certain stars while systematically destroying the careers of others. Her ability to sway public opinion was so powerful that some actors and actresses went to great lengths to curry her favor, even going so far as to stage elaborate publicity stunts or resort to outright bribery.

Beyond Gossip

Hopper’s impact extended far beyond the realm of entertainment, as well. Her uncompromising political views, which leaned heavily to the right, often found their way into her columns, making her a polarizing figure in the cultural and political landscape of the time.

Ms. Hopper was a vocal supporter of McCarthyism and the House Un-American Activities Committee, using her column to denounce and blacklist those she deemed to be communist sympathizers.

Cementing a Legacy

Despite the controversy that often surrounded her, Hopper remained a fixture in the Hollywood landscape until her retirement in 1966. Even in her later years, she continued to command respect and admiration from both her colleagues and the public, enshrining her as one of the most influential and enduring figures in the history of American journalism.

So there you have it.  Hedda Hopper reigned supreme over the golden age of Hollywood and the cutthroat world of celebrity gossip. Her impact on the entertainment industry — as well as the broader cultural and political landscape — cannot be overstated. Though her methods may have been controversial, her unwavering dedication to her craft and her unapologetic pursuit of the truth have ensured that her legacy will continue to be celebrated for generations to come.

By Steven Roberts