Why do people like Humberto Cabbagepatch so much?

So I was watching the Half in the Bag review of Star Trek Into Darkness (whom I stole this thread title's misspelling from) and they made an interesting point: that a year ago no one really knew who Cumberbatch was and now he has legions of fans and people want to cast him in all sorts of stuff. I wouldn't call myself a Cummerbund fan, at least not to the extent that Norc is, but I liked him in Sherlock a lot. But I have to wonder what else he's done to earn the fandom he has.

I checked Wikipedia (where else) to see what all movies Cucumbersnatch has actually appeared in. His early filmography is mostly supporting roles in obscure films. For example:

2004: Hawking, a TV movie that no one cares about
2006: Amazing Grace, a real movie that (unfortunately) no one cares about
2007: Atonement, a movie that's only popular with people who like really serious British dramas

His big break came in 2010 when the first series of Sherlock aired, and after that he started getting higher profile roles. But if you actually look at each of them, they are:

2011: Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy: a novel adaptation that even the actors said was too convoluted
2011: War Horse, Steven Spielberg's recent historical film that isn't about Abraham Lincoln
2012: The Hobbit, in which Carouseratch has exactly no screentime whatsoever
2013: Star Trek Into Darkness, which was a steaming pile of horsehit

So is it really entirely down to Sherlock that Benedict Timothy Carlton "My Name Is So White That it Burns After 30 Seconds Outdoors" Cumberbatch became an internationally-known movie star? And if so, why doesn't Martin Freeman get as much attention, considering he's the best actor on the show.

To be fair I sometimes wonder the same thing about Brad Pitt, but at least he had more than one critically acclaimed role as a young-ish actor in the '90s, and he doesn't have a face like a horse.

Maybe Will Smith is a better analogue. I mean, I like what I've seen/heard of the guy's work, but how'd he go from washed-up rapper cum sitcom star to the biggest name in Hollywood? All I can figure out is that it was Independence Day. Was that really such a big thing when it came out?

At least Will Smith immediately followed up ID4 with other roles that would be well-remembered in the future (and also Wild Wild West lololol).

I wanted to mention Ryan Gosling in this thread as well because 90% of the attention he gets seems to be exclusively from Drive (which full disclosure I fucking loved), but he at least had a number of other roles that received attention both before and during the period when Drive became popular so I dunno if he fits.

My real point here is check out this video because it makes me laugh every fucking time I see it.

I'm coming close to exhausting my knowledge of contemporary popular actors (not that Will Smith is that contemporary anymore but fuck you I had space to fill).

At least we can be grateful that the following one-hit wonders have quickly faded away.

Zac Efron
Taylor Lautner
The Jonas Brothers
Robert Pattinson
Daniel Radcliffe

In the mean time we can all wait for Miley Cyrus, Justin Bieber, and Drake to disappear (OH I FUCKING WENT THERE).

Since this thread is quickly degenerating into incoherent nonsense I'd like to take this opportunity to

Actually on second thought I'm not going to take this opportunity

Good night everyone

You've been a wonderful audience, thank you. Thank you. No really, you're too kind. I take PayPal and money order.

u little... i don't have words.

jesus guys, just wait some hours and i'll tell you why!