Actors

[Jim Eshelman]

Gleadow published Sun-sign breakdowns of 1,464 actors from Who's Who in The Theater, 1939. Correcting these for astronomical factors gives the following:

The cumulative Chi-square for 12 categories is 22.223, which exceeds the .05 level, and elevates this to a study deserving some attention.

I suspect a seasonal birth factor, though, since, disregarding all other considerations, the three most common Sun-constellations are Sagittarius, Capricorn, and Aquarius. Of most interest in this, though, is that Scorpio is dramatically lower, so there is a sharp shift at the boundary of Sagittarius

Statistically high are Sagittarius (< .05) and Capricorn (< .05). Lowest is Aries (< .05). This matches astrological expectation, though, if the era were slightly later, I would have expected the Capricorns to have migrated to film. I suspect they were strong in theater in that time because film had not developed yet as a strong medium (not early enough for them already to have distinguished themselves).

[By Jove]

Statistically high are Sagittarius (< .05) and Capricorn (< .05). Lowest is Aries (< .05). This matches astrological expectation, though, if the era were slightly later, I would have expected the Capricorns to have migrated to film. I suspect they were strong in theater in that time because film had not developed yet as a strong medium (not early enough for them already to have distinguished themselves).

Why should era in film matter so much for Capricorn?

[Jim Eshelman]

I can only guess at the "why," but I know for sure that it was true. There was an era in film that lasted through the 1950s when Capricorn Suns were exceptionally popular for men.

My theory is that there was a certain "rugged guy, aloof and strong" (and, in their youth, usually quite handsome) that dominated as leading man. It was a type, and one that works on film better than on stage. In contrast, Capricorn didn't do so well for female actors, at least if Oscar wins are considered.

Oscar-winning Capricorn Suns include Clark Gable (It Happened One Night), Ronald Colman (A Double life), Ernest Borgnine (Marty), Patricia Neal (Hud), Paul Scofield (A Man For All Seasons), Gene Hackman (French Connection), Jack Lemmon (Avanti!), Faye Dunaway (Network), Paul Newman (The Color of Money).