Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(N.Z.) to fake or act in some way.

2003

McGill Reed Dict. of N.Z. Sl. 103: hollywood Suspect or faked behaviour, often in the phrase doing a hollywood, popular in competitive play to gain a breather. ANZ from 1960s.

1. (US) to sodomize.

1949		Monteleone Criminal Sl. (rev. edn).
1972		B. Rodgers Queens’ Vernacular 97: go Hollywood (obs, ’40s) 1. to mingle with gays . . . socially or bareback.

2. (US, also go to Hollywood) to lose emotional control, to act hysterically; to act egotistically.

1935		S. Walker Mrs Astor’s Horse 112: The incongruities of Hollywood life pile up so fast, and with such bewildering complexity, that a newcomer’s sensibilities soon become dulled and he finds himself inexorably ‘going Hollywood’ like any ham.
1940		W. Winchell On Broadway 22 Feb. [synd. col.] We haven’t been asked to define the phrase ‘gone Hollywood’ when you make public your opinion of your own importance you have always had secretly.
1971		R.D. Pharr S.R.O. (1998) 89: ‘He goes straight to Hollywood, yelling about the john gimme a five-buck tip to give to him — the Kingfish’.
1978		S. King Stand (1990) 60: They’ll call you a lot of names, They’ll say you’re going Hollywood. Getting a big head.
1987		(con. 1967) Bunch & Cole Reckoning for Kings (1989) 20: ‘Don’t be a showboat,’ his coach said. ‘You can kick their butts – but don’t go Hollywood on me.’.

3. (US black) to act ostentatiously.

1944

D. Burley N.Y. Amsterdam News 22 Jan. 10: Ralph Cooper went Hollywood at the game [...] playing behind smoked cheaters.