Personality Blog

Recently I read a “cool” list, written by successful author Stephen King. I began pondering what makes someone cool. Alas, I discovered that, “cool” is impossible to define. We know it when we see it, but we become tongue tied and very uncool when we attempt to define it. There are some things in this life that simply “are” — and that is that. The word “cool” first became popular with jazz and soul musicians in the 1930’s and 1940s. It spread from there and has never lost its charm or magic.

Stephen King said Tom Hanks is not cool and Steve McQueen was, especially in the Magnificent Seven. Truly, I think Steve McQueen was cool in just about every movie he made. He is practically sub-zero in The Great Escape. James Dean was intensely cool. Elvis Pressley was totally cool before he decided to become Liberace. Liberace was not cool. I am sorry, but facts are facts. The Fonz was so cool, everyone who stood near him looked nerdish in comparison. Actor Henry Winkler, who created the Fonz character in the 1980’s TV series, Happy Days, is not cool. Therefore, be warned someone who is not cool can pretend to be. Jack Palance, 1940’s professional boxer and WWII veteran, was oh so cool in City Slickers (1991). In fact, he was so cool that co-star Billy Crystal didn’t notice when Palance’s character died.

According to Stephen King, Jack Nicholson is cool, even if he is in a bad movie. I have to agree with that. The Duke, John Wayne, was cool without trying. I think it had something to do with the way he walked – sideways, but with confidence. BTW, if you have to try to be cool – you are not. Marilyn Monroe was cool; regrettably, I cannot tell you why. Perhaps you can tell me.

Let’s look at other more recent movie characters; Capt. Jack Sparrow and Indiana Jones are both hot and cool. You really cannot ask for more than that. Meg Ryan and Melanie Griffith can be very cool. Melanie’s former lover, Bruce Willis, has approached cool. Leaving actors behind, Mother Teresa and Princess Grace were cool for very different reasons. Yes, I know Princess Grace was an actress before she was a princess — I am simply ignoring that bit of trivia. Winston Churchill was cool in a “frogfish” way.

Take our Free fun quiz – Are you Cool? – to find out how “Cool” are you!