Death reminders boost admiration for celebrities as proof of lasting remembrance.

Evidence

Thoughts of death also increase admiration for famous people and belief in the lasting nature of their work. After a death reminder, Americans viewed abstract paintings reputedly created either by Johnny Depp or by a relatively unknown artist, and they found the paintings “by” Johnny Depp more admirable. Death enhances our regard for celebrities because they provide proof that being remembered “forever” is possible. — Sheldon Solomon, Jeff Greenberg, Tom Pyszczynski, The Worm at the Core, 425