star-maker

noun

star-mak·​er ˈstär-ˌmā-kər How to pronounce star-maker (audio)
variants or starmaker
plural star-makers or starmakers
: someone or something that creates a star
especially : a person or performance that makes or helps to make someone a star in the entertainment industry
As producer and/or director, Judd Apatow is nothing less than a starmaker, elevating the careers of Steve Carell ("The 40-Year-Old Virgin"), Kristen Wiig ("Bridesmaids") and many more into legit movie stardom. Matt Pais
Jay Leno said he's looking forward to being a star-maker for young comedians on his new prime-time show. Lynn Elber
… Miller has no regrets. Unlike those other roles, her part in "Sister Act" is a star-maker. Mark Kennedy
star-making adjective
or less commonly starmaking
a star-making performance/role

Examples of star-maker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Rebel Ridge is just the polar opposite, a killer slow burn action film and a star-maker for Aaron Pierre. Paul Tassi, Forbes, 15 Sep. 2024 The Boulet Brothers’ Dragula, the horror version of Drag Race, began here on a rickety stage at a gay bar and has grown into a drag star-maker in its own right since being picked up by streamers like Amazon Prime and Shudder. Kirsten Chuba, The Hollywood Reporter, 3 Sep. 2019 None of the performances feels like a potential star-maker like that of Chiara Aurelia and Olivia Holt in season 1. Joshua Alston, Variety, 5 June 2023 The man in charge of this band of merrymakers is Nigel Petersen — a thinly disguised Lorne Michaels — an inscrutable star-maker whose whims have shaped late-night comedy since the early 1980s. Ron Charles, Washington Post, 28 Mar. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of star-maker was in 1832

Dictionary Entries Near star-maker

Cite this Entry

“Star-maker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/star-maker. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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