Poster via Warner Brothers. Parker photograph via Patrick McMullan.
In a few weeks, Warner Bros. will release the latest remake of Arthur, an outrageous comedy about an endearing drunk with piles of money and the audacity to spend it. The appeal hinges on the notion that no real-life person could rival Arthur’s oddly charming extravagance. In fact, the movie’s tagline claims that Arthur is “the world’s only lovable billionaire.” Maybe so, but here are five actual billionaires who have out-partied Arthur.
1. Malcolm Forbes
He’s dead now, but it wasn’t so long ago that he reveled in the dual role of king and jester, buying a phenomenally expensive bottle of Thomas Jefferson’s wine and throwing parties for several thousand of his dearest friends. There was a playfulness to everything he did, and he wasn’t afraid to tease the members of his crowd, including himself. He could, and did, celebrate his birthday by blending heads of state and movie icons with his local plumber. Never one to make apologies for spending lavishly, he believed that the bigger the bash—and the bill—the better time everyone would have.
2. Paul Allen
Taking a page out of Forbes’s book, with sumptuous parties and celebrity get-togethers on his mega-yacht, Allen has managed to acquire a touch of Arthur’s panache. A computer geek who enjoys spreading around some of the billions he amassed as a co-founder of Microsoft, Allen compensates for his techie background by packing his entourage with rock stars. He’s even gone so far as to create a recording studio on his yacht, where he sometimes riffs with famous musicians—who often show their appreciation by performing live when he entertains in St Barth’s.
3. Sean Parker
After playing a vital role in developing Napster and Facebook, Parker has cemented his reputation as a high priest of the Web business. He’s also known for enjoying a good time—as Justin Timberlake’s portrayal of him in The Social Network made abundantly clear. Parker’s residence in Manhattan is a notorious party pad, where revelers can always expect to see the dawn. You know a scene is decadent when such lavish displays start to feel routine.
4. Mikhail Prokhorov
With an estimated fortune of more than $10 billion, this Russian oligarch has plenty of cash to devote to upscale amusements. He recently acquired the New Jersey Nets basketball franchise and has been dazzling even the richest members of Manhattan’s elite with his outsize spending. But perhaps the greatest expression of his raffish machismo came during his 60 Minutes interview with Steve Kroft. Prokhorov confessed that there are two things that make him feel like a teenage boy: girls and guns.
5. Mark Cuban
Cuban is well known for his unorthodox behavior as the owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks. Instead of passively watching his minions from a hidden skybox, Cuban often dresses up in a team jersey and cheers as hard as any fan. He also produces films, courts celebrity chums, and lives an all-around glamorous lifestyle. Partying in the over-served Arthur mode isn’t his style, but he rarely swerves far from the fast lane.
Have I missed anybody? If so, let me know in the comments.
The One Percent by Jamie Johnson
Via: vanityfair
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