To die for

Time was when the death of show biz stars meant dire time for their relatives and estate, because the celebs’ income-generating potential was effectively ended by their demise.

But the institution of royalties and “residuals” has changed that sad scenario in a big way, as even long-dead stars like Elvis Presley and Marilyn Monroe continue to earn millions of dollars in new income, which their loved ones and estate benefit from.

The biggest bonanza of late has been struck by the death of Michael Jackson, whose old records, released in revival editions, provide solace and nostalgic memories for his diehard fans. Most recently, the death of young singer Amy Winehouse has shocked her followers, and her albums have also shot back to the Billboard charts.

Those upbeat figures are, as a show biz observer wryly observes, “to die for,” and proof positive that some stars’ “brand names,” if kept constantly in the public eye (and heart), could end up as gifts that could keep on giving — in perpetuity.

Question is, can celebs’ fame be passed on to their progeny and other relatives? The popularity of the Baldwin brothers shows the answer is “yes,” but what’s happened to the Culkin siblings suggest it can also be a “no.” Most of Francis Ford Coppola’s family works in show biz, with daughter Sofia currently leading the brood in terms of talent and output.

Julia Roberts debuted in “Blood Red” in 1986, a film starring her brother, Eric, but she’s gone on to a high-flying career, while he crash-landed a long time ago. Similarly, Mariel Hemingway made her debut in 1976’s “Lipstick,” starring big sister Margaux — but both of them have faded away since.

And, despite Sylvester Stallone’s popularity, his brother Frank Stallone has failed in both his singing and acting careers. Ditto for Sly’s sister, Sage Moonbeam Stallone, whose fledgling show biz career quickly went pfft!

Successful second-generation stars include Carrie Fisher, Drew Barrymore, Charlie Sheen, Melanie Griffith and Jaden Smith, but many more stellar siblings or offsprings’ careers have gone the way of all flash and fizzle.

Prolific show biz clans

Filipino stars are much more successful in launching their progeny or relatives to stardom — up to the third and fourth generations! The country’s most prolific show biz clans are the Ilagan-Arevalos, the Padillas, the Revillas, the Silos family, the Muhlachs, the Eigenmanns, the Gutierrezes and the Salvadors.

Literally scores of stars and starlets can trace their roots to those prolific clans, which obviously believe there’s always more room for new recruits in the “family business.”

In addition, intermarriage between these seminal clans has interestingly effected a new development — the “cross-pollination” between stellar families.

The most recent example of this is Janine, the daughter of Ramon Christopher and Lotlot de Leon, whose grandparents are (take a deep breath) Nora Aunor, Christopher de Leon, Pilita Corrales, Eddie Gutierrez — and then some.

Hmm, that root of stellar “insurance” is also to die for.