I’d argue that it’s more than just fame or celebrity that drives the paparazzi and other celebrity gossip media. I think fame modified by age plus the possibility of a scandalous situation is what drives it.

The paparazzi targets actors because the range of “scandals” they can become entangled in. There’s not much scandal to document and sell about an older comedic actor who chose to retire from acting to raise a family or a standup comic who chooses a private life for personal reasons.