What does it mean to "achieve cult status"? to be "mythical"? who else can you think of who could have these descriptions applied to him or her? who else can you think of who fits the description of "dying young after producing works of genius"?

Achieve cult status" essentially mean a person makes many fans because of their trustworthy and piety personality. Cult, is a short term for Culture, and cult fundamentally means adored, and getting a cult status means your being adored by fans. Mythical means, if you hear about a famous person, you hear about how he is very daring, brave but then you unexpectedly hear somewhat from his or her work that sounds the contradictory of what you used to hear

hope it helps