Despite the artful skill displayed by his attorneys, Wesley Snipes will finally be sent to jail for tax evasion. I guess this means we won’t see any more Blade movies for a bit. 

Lead actors in Hollywood make a lot of money. Just ask female lead actors! Given this, it is somewhat maddening that more than a few of them refuse to pay their taxes. If you are making $10 million a film, it hardly seems a strain on your bottom line to make the yearly payments. Alas, it happens over and over. 

Wesley Snipes is a lead actor in Hollywood…or at least was. He’ll now be doing his acting in prison plays for the next three years while he serves his term for tax evasion. Still, he got off with a lot less than he could have. He was facing major time after paying no taxes at all based on some crazy scheme a promoter had come up with. Yes, the promoter is residing in the grey motel as well. 

I find the Snipes case interesting for one particular reason. Think this through with me. You make movies. These movies are scene by the public. In fact, the goal is to get as many people as possible to see them. IRS agents, contrary to public opinion, are human beings. They go to the movies. They understand that lead actors get paid big bucks. How then is it that Wesley Snipes thought he could pay no taxes for a number of years and not have the IRS come a knocking at the door? It is all very odd when you think it through.

Well, it doesn’t really matter now. Mr. Snipes will be living off the public teat for a few years. The accommodations won’t be as nice as his home unless he has been living in his closet, but the food is free so it can’t be all bad.

Here’s hoping he signs a lot of autographs and makes some friends!