Are television stars just failed movie stars?

Answer 1

Not exactly.

Between 1949--1973, the movie industry was destroyed by Congress. The legislative branch enacted a seat tax for every ticket sold and ordered movie studios to sell any movie theaters they owned; This act of totalitarianism killed movies within five years. Another law paid movie makers to make films overseas--so film producers made movies in Europe, anywhere but here.
What this meant was the content of films declined; so legitimate actors--the best, not less--talented actors--for the most part were driven into television to make a living. The same thing happened to directors, writers, composers, etc. Except for a handful of established greats in each area of endeavor, the rest ended up in network television, Broadway road companies, etc. A "Silver Age" developed...and actor such as Keith Andes, Vera Miles,
Ed Begley, John Dehner, Dana Wynter, Frank Overton,
Eve Arden, Charlene Polite, Ricardo Montalban, Katy Jurado, John Van Dreelin, Diana Rigg, Percy Rodrigues,
Dan O'Herlihy, Lee Meriwether and Richard Basehart--found TV as their only means of earning a living.

Now the case is different. Most of those in movies and TV cannot act at all; they are not classically-trained, and are inarticulate mediocrities for the most part--without adequate mental skills, vocal capabilities or training.

Movies are an elitist art form full of blockbusters and prurient appeal exploitation films; were it not for peculiar expensive TV projects run by nameless production organizations, there would be hardly any work for anyone. But the work there is is being denied to classically-trained-accent actors, skilled writers and capable directors.

One could argue therefore that since 1973, most movie "stars" are failed television performers. before about 1958, it was to some degree the other way around still.

Answer 2

Not really...alot of movies stars started on TV...and some TV stars want to do work where they can stay near home and family..so they turn to TV.

Answer 3

sometimes, but then television stars can become movie stars

Answer 4

99 out of 100 are for certain.