50 Actors Everyone Lost Respect For Welcome to , and today we’re looking at the actors we used to love… that is, until we found out about their reportedly awful real-life behavior. Ansel Elgort This actor had a short rise and even shorter fall. Elgort first came to prominence with his turn in the young adult drama film, “The Fault in Our Stars.” He also gained some critical buzz over his performance in the 2017 action thriller “Baby Driver.” Elgort was officially Hollywood’s hottest young actor when he was cast in 2021’s “West Side Story.” Then, in 2020, someone named Gabby posted a tweet accusing Elgort of assaulting her when she was underage. Elgort responded that the relationship was “brief, legal and entirely consensual.” Whatever the case, the accusation left a sour taste in many fans’ mouths, and his reputation has never been the same since. Gwyneth Paltrow It’s hard to believe now that Paltrow was ever seen as a heavyweight actor, with a penchant for period films. She even won the Academy Award for Best Actress for her performance as Viola in “Shakespeare in Love.” Paltrow’s other ventures were decidedly not as well received. Starting in 2008, she launched a weekly newsletter, Goop, now expanded into an e-commerce empire, complete with a Netflix documentary series. Goop got backlash for its dabbling in pseudoscience and misinformation, recommending the use of jade eggs, psychedelic substances, and cold therapy. You can say Paltrow’s reputation is now covered in goop. Alec Baldwin This award-winning actor had a big fall. From Oscar-winning films, to “Saturday Night Live” impressions, to even a Tony nomination, Baldwin was considered a major actor with an impressive range. This all changed when Baldwin accidentally shot and killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins with a prop gun on the set of “Rust.” From there came litigation, as Hutchins’ family filed a wrongful death suit against Baldwin. In 2023, he was charged with two counts of involuntary manslaughter, to which he pleaded not guilty. In 2024, a grand jury indicted Baldwin, and his own countersuit went nowhere. While Baldwin avoided prison time, this tragedy now looms over his achievements. Fred Savage This promising young actor’s first breakthrough was his role as the grandson in the classic film, “The Princess Bride.” He is best known for his turn as Kevin Arnold in the nostalgic show, “The Wonder Years.” Sadly, Savage turned out to live up to his surname. The costume designer for “The Wonder Years” accused Savage of sexual harassment, citing verbal and physical intimidation. Yet another costume designer, this time for “The Grinder,” also filed a complaint against the actor, this time for assault and battery. Savage was fired from “The Wonder Years” reboot due to alleged inappropriate conduct. Much like the titular “Wonder Years,” our fond memories of Savage are in the past. Asia Argento This lauded Italian actress helped break a culture of silence and complicity, accusing disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein of violating her. So it was a shock to many when Argento got allegations of her own. In 2018, actor Jimmy Bennett accused Argento of assaulting him when he was underage. Argento denied she had had a sexual relationship with Bennett and asserted that her partner, Anthony Bourdain, paid him off. Later, a photo of Argento and Bennett together was released, and Argento’s attorney admitted there was a sexual encounter. The cycle of abuse still continues, and it wounds us all. Sean Connery He was Bond, James Bond, and to many international fans, the best one. Connery also went on to work with legendary directors such as Alfred Hitchcock, Sidney Lumet, and Steven Spielberg. But like his most famous character, Connery soon displayed a misogyny as overt as it was off-putting. As early as 1965, he had claimed there was nothing wrong with hitting a woman, particularly if she were “hysterical or bloody-minded.” In an 1987 interview with a critical Barbara Walters, Connery doubled down on his remarks. In 2006, Connery finally backtracked from his assertions. Still, his first wife, Diane Cilento, alleged in her autobiography that Connery had abused her mentally and physically. Unfortunately, it very much tracks. Cuba Gooding, Jr. Breaking out in “Boyz n the Hood” and “Jerry Maguire,” it initially seemed Gooding Jr.’s rising star would never die. In 2016, he even snagged an Emmy nomination for his work in “The People v. O. J. Simpson: American Crime Story.” Alas, it was too good to be true. Gooding Jr. got charged with groping a woman at a bar, and it only gets worse from there. Since 2020, thirty women have come forward with their stories, with one even filing a lawsuit accusing Gooding Jr. of assault. As recently as 2024, Gooding Jr. was accused of groping and fondling music producer Rodney Jones. John Barrowman This Scottish talent exposed too much of it. From immortal pansexual Captain Jack Harkness in “Doctor Who” to a song-and-dance man in many musical films, Barrowman was a triple and quadruple threat to remember. Unfortunately, Barrowman’s extroversion gained a dark dimension when his co-stars began talking about his tendencies to expose himself. Barrowman even claimed to have taken out his member behind a piano during a performance of “Sunset Boulevard,” much to Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber’s consternation. And of course, Barrowman has been hit with sexual harassment accusations. Many would prefer to see less of Barrowman from now on. T.J. Miller It’s not always the funny ones, but it is often the funny ones. A comedy actor, known chiefly for his supporting roles, Miller appeared in the superhero comedy film “Deadpool” and its sequel. His modest acting career, however, has been profoundly eclipsed by his real-life crimes. Miller has been arrested and jailed for alleged physical assault. He also has his own accusation of assault, with an ex-partner from college accusing him of violence. Miller was arrested for making a false bomb threat while on an Amtrak train as well. His charges were eventually dismissed. Still, there’s a reason why he wasn’t in “Deadpool & Wolverine.” Jada Pinkett Smith Now this is a mess. Pinkett Smith’s career may not have been as gilded as her more famous husband’s, but she had had some star turns in the “Matrix” franchise in particular. But her messy marriage is by far the most famous thing about her. In 2020, Pinkett Smith was accused of having an adulterous affair with singer and rapper August Alsina when he was 23. Not only that, but Alsina claimed it was with Smith’s approval. Pinkett Smith protested that she and her husband had been separated since 2016, although that did not stop Smith from hitting Chris Rock for his joke about her in an infamous moment at the 94th Academy Awards. Gary Busey This American actor first achieved success with his breakthrough role as Buddy Holly in the 1978 biopic. He was even nominated for an Academy Award for Best Actor. He was involved in many great ‘80s action films. Busey’s reputation since then, however, has definitely tanked. In 2022, he was accused of groping two women and even pled guilty to one count of criminal sexual contact. Busey was sentenced to two years’ probation in 2025. A brain injury due to a 1988 motorcycle accident may explain some of this errant behavior, but it is still off-putting, to say the least. Karla Sofía Gascón This actress, starring in the controversial Cannes winner, “Emilia Pérez,” has had her own controversies. Gascón first made waves when she became the first openly transgender actress to win the Cannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress. Gascón soon attracted ire, however, when she tried to defend the film from criticisms of its stereotypical portrayals of Mexican and trans women characters. Old inflammatory tweets of hers then arose, expressing Islamaphobic and other hateful sentiments. Gascón apologized and deleted her X account, but the damage to her reputation was done, with Netflix removing her from “Emilia Pérez’s” awards campaign. Gina Carano A former martial artist, Carano seemed like the perfect pick to portray the equally tough Cara Dune in “Star Wars” spinoff, “The Mandalorian.” In 2021, however, Carano shared an Instagram post seeming to compare American conservatives to Jews in Nazi Germany. She also made a series of posts alleging voter fraud and mocking using a face mask during the pandemic. Lucasfilm fired her from the series, and the United Talent Agency likewise dropped her. In 2024, Carano filed a wrongful dismissal lawsuit against Disney over her firing. The parties eventually settled outside of court. Gérard Depardieu It’s official: Never meet your heroes. Depardieu is undeniably a French film icon, starring in more than 200 films since 1967. His first breakthrough role was in 1974’s “Going Places.” His private life, however, is not as gilded. The first red flag came early in 1977, when Depardieu himself claimed he had participated in an assault as a minor and that there was no such thing as assault in the first place. Unsurprisingly, Depardieu has since then been accused of assault in 2018, 2023, and 2024 by over a dozen women, as well as groping and other misconduct. In 2025, Depardieu was finally convicted of both counts of assault, given an 18-month suspended sentence. Chris Pratt Chris Pratt’s movie star trajectory initially suggested he would become this generation’s Harrison Ford. First starring in “Parks and Recreation,” Pratt’s career really took off when he portrayed Star-Lord in the “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise. Cinematic charm is one thing; his personal life is another. Pratt raised many eyebrows when it was revealed he went to an anti-LGBTQIA+ church, and was called out by Elliot Page himself. Pratt defended his church, stating that it “opens their doors to absolutely everyone.” The media has dubbed him the worst of the Hollywood Chrises since 2020. The backlash is indeed here. Casey Affleck This Affleck began as a young actor in his brother Ben’s film, “Good Will Hunting,” as well as a host of other films. His 2017 performance as a grieving widower in “Manchester by the Sea” earned him an Academy Award for Best Actor. Still, Affleck’s reputation has not been pristine. He has had his fair share of sexual harassment lawsuits, settling two of them out of court. Thus, his Best Actor win was a controversial one. Affleck withdrew from presenting the award for Best Actress the following year and has issued statements regretting his attitude. The shine has come off a little. Jeffrey Jones We’re going to issue a content warning for this one. Jones is best known for his roles in the classic ‘80s comedies, “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” and “Beetlejuice.” None of that matters, though, because in 2002, Jones was arrested for possessing inappropriate material involving minors. He was also accused of soliciting a boy to produce explicit images. Jones was sentenced to five years’ probation and is now on the sex offender registries in California and Florida. He was arrested twice in 2004 for failing to update his status, receiving three years of probation. James Woods This lauded film and TV actor has had a highly storied career. Even so, he garnered some backlash for his increasingly distasteful politics online. Starting as a Democrat and ending up a Trump supporter, Woods was dropped from his talent agency. He was also locked out of his Twitter account multiple times for TOS violations. In 2017, Woods continued posting tweets and responding to innocuous posts with inflammatory language. During the 2020 election, Woods was even found to be a major purveyor of election misinformation. And in 2023, he advocated against a ceasefire in the Gaza war, with a concerning hashtag. Louis C.K. Once known for his stand-up comedy, now C.K. is mostly known for being one of the most high-profile #MeToo cases. Rumors of his sexual impropriety began as early as 2017. In The New York Times, five women alleged that C.K. touched himself in front of them, along with other misconduct. C.K. admitted guilt, claiming that the act had been done with permission. The distribution of his film “I Love You, Daddy” was cancelled, and his animated series was as well. Still, C.K. has continued to do stand-up comedy, announcing a tour in 2025. Jared Leto An actor and musician, Leto had a string of critically acclaimed films under his belt. Excelling in tough and gritty roles, some of his notable performances include a substance user in “Requiem for a Dream” and a trans woman in “Dallas Buyers Club,” for which he earned an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. But when Leto took on the role of the Joker for the latest DC film, audiences were turned off by reports of his extreme method acting, which included sending gifts of live rats and bullets to his co-stars. And while his Joker was received positively by critics, audiences were less than enamored. Meanwhile, he denied the multiple allegations of sexual impropriety that were levelled against him in 2025.
Gal Gadot
The woman who once took the world by storm with her extraordinary beauty fell from grace due to her politics. There was a time when her name drew massive crowds to movie theaters, like for the film “Wonder Woman”. Despite her popularity, though, she was never really recognized as an exceptional actress by critics. She was, however, praised for devoting her time to humanitarian causes like female empowerment. When this advocacy extended to her showing support for the Israel Defense Forces, where she briefly served, many fans turned their backs on her. Still, that didn’t stop her from being outspoken about standing with Israel in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, and that was her undoing.
Chris Noth
Everyone knew Big was a walking red flag, but we didn’t think the actor playing him on “Sex and the City” would turn out to be even worse. Chris Noth had everything going for him until 2021, when several women came forward with allegations of sexual assault against him. With his image in ruins, he lost business deals left and right and was removed from the shows he was working on. In no time, he disappeared from the limelight, despite maintaining his innocence. In his words, the only thing he was guilty of was stepping out on his wife. However, people were having none of it. Naturally, in May 2025, news about his casting in Craig Singer’s “The Block” was met with a lukewarm response.
Blake Lively
The movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel “It Ends with Us” was highly anticipated. However, when the film came out, lead actress Blake Lively appeared to downplay its message against domestic violence, promoting her haircare brand, Blake Brown, instead. Things got worse when journalist Kjersti Flaa released an old clip of herself interviewing Lively, who seemed dismissive toward her. Netizens started digging up more video evidence of the actress being a so-called ‘mean girl’, which maligned her reputation. Soon after, it was revealed that Blake had sued her “IEWU” co-star Justin Baldoni for sexual harassment, while The New York Times accused him of orchestrating a smear campaign against her. Baldoni denied the claims, but both actors took a hit to their popularity.
Jonathan Majors
It didn’t take this actor long to achieve critical and commercial success after making himself known through the show “When We Rise” in 2017. He had an Emmy nomination for “Lovecraft Country” and was a part of the MCU, playing Kang the Conqueror by 2021. However, his career came to a halt when he was arrested for committing intimate partner violence against his ex, Grace Jabbari. He was later convicted of attacking and harassing her, but managed to date Meagan Good in the meantime, whom he later married. Not only did Jonathan’s career go downhill, but Good had to face the consequences of his actions, too, as she lost several brand deals just because of her association with him. No wonder her fans are upset.
James Franco
Once a Hollywood golden boy, this Oscar-nominated actor was dragged down from his pedestal after being hit with multiple allegations of sexual misconduct. He admitted to having sexual relations with his acting mentees, who claimed they were exploited with the promise of roles. He was also inappropriately involved with a teenager. What was even more hypocritical was that amid his scandals, he showed up to the 2018 Golden Globes, wearing a Time’s Up pin. After an extended hiatus, the actor is back in showbiz, with multiple projects in the pipeline. However, he’s no longer the media darling he once was.
Shia LaBeouf
Known for his prodigious talent, this former Disney star disappointed countless fans when he repeatedly landed himself in hot water. From substance use to unruly behavior in public, and even going to court for petty larceny, Shia went through several major rough patches. However, the tipping point came when his former girlfriend, performer FKA Twigs, revealed she had faced abuse and non-consensual sexual conduct from him. She brought a lawsuit against the actor, alleging that he had acted similarly with another ex, Karolyn Pho. By this point, his reputation was far beyond repair.
Russell Brand
This entertainment industry veteran had more ups and downs in his career than a rollercoaster ride. From his time as a progressive comedian to acting, and now spreading conspiracy theories and anti-woke rhetoric on YouTube, Russell Brand has been all over the place. However, the fact that he has lasted this long in the spotlight is a shocker. Since 2006, Brand has been accused of sexual assault by multiple women. It was only in 2025 that he was sued at London’s High Court of Justice for his misconduct, and simultaneously in New York, for sexual assault on the set of “Arthur”. He has denied these allegations and has many supporters, but has undeniably fallen out of favor with the general public.
Stephen Collins
As Eric Camden in “7th Heaven”, this actor was one of the most beloved TV dads of all time. So, when it was revealed that he was not only a sexual offender but had been indecent toward minors, it marked a point of no return. He admitted to his wrongdoings and called himself a, quote, ‘flawed person’, as if to excuse his behavior. Now, he is said to be living with a woman forty years his junior, as revealed on Investigation Discovery’s “Hollywood Demons”. Needless to say, his acting career is behind him.
Lena Dunham
The “Girls” creator has been canceled more times than we can count. In her book “Not That Kind of Girl”, she wrongfully implicated an innocent man in a sexual assault she said she faced. In the same book, she recalled acting inappropriately toward her sibling, likening herself to a ‘sexual predator’. There were also racism allegations against her, amplified by her false remarks about Odell Beckham Jr.’s disinterest in her at the 2016 Met Gala. She once said she wished she could have experienced a pregnancy termination, just to relate to women who have. The worst case was her supporting Murray Miller, who was accused of sexual assault by Aurora Perrineau. Lena always ends up apologizing, but hasn’t really managed to earn forgiveness.
Jussie Smollett
The success this actor achieved through his role as Jamal Lyon in “Empire” was overshadowed by a messy scandal. In 2019, Jussie Smollett filed a police report, claiming he had been subject to a race and sexuality-based hate crime. However, upon further investigation, it turned out that he had allegedly staged the attack because he wasn’t happy with his pay on “Empire”. Chicago police also alleged that a racist letter he received was actually self-written. Smollett insisted that the attack was not a fabrication despite being found guilty of lying to authorities. In 2024, the judgment was rescinded, and he returned to the entertainment world, writing and directing films. However, with how he was perceived to have manipulated public opinion, he was hardly welcomed back.
Zachary Levi
After making his name as the lead on the show “Chuck,” Levi hit the big time as the title character in 2019’s “Shazam!”. During an uncertain future of DC films, it was a smash hit. But then came the sequel, 2023’s “Shazam! Fury of the Gods,” which wasn’t well received. That same year, Levi began his decline by promoting his anti-vaccine beliefs. Throw in Levi claiming that the film industry is making “garbage,” criticizing the actors’ strike, and endorsing controversial political candidates, and his stock fell significantly. Somehow, it got worse when he claimed “She Loves Me” co-star Gavin Creel’s death from cancer was from the COVID-19 vaccine. Chevy Chase Now this actor fell hard from grace. In the ‘90s, Chase was riding high, becoming a breakout cast member and writer on “Saturday Night Live.” He became a household name with “Caddyshack” and the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” films. Unfortunately, his behavior ruined it all. Chase got into a fist fight with Bill Murray and reportedly uttered racist, sexist, and homophobic remarks to his fellow cast members. Perhaps it was due to his obnoxious personality that his talk show failed, cancelled by Fox after only five weeks. We’re not Chevy Chase, and that’s a good thing.
Fatty Arbuckle
In his prime, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle was as big a silent comedy film star as Charlie Chaplin and Buster Keaton. In 1921, a year after signing a $1 million deal with Paramount, Arbuckle’s legacy was forever ruined. During a party, actor Virginia Rappe allegedly experienced some form of trauma in Arbuckle’s hotel suite. A few days later, she passed away. Arbuckle was accused of assaulting Rappe, leading to her demise. As such, he was arrested and tried for murder. After two mistrials, Arbuckle was acquitted and unusually received an apology letter from the jury. Regardless, no one wanted to hire him or show his films. Arbuckle had to use a pseudonym to get work. After a brief comeback in 1933, he passed away.
Ashton Kutcher & Mila Kunis
After finding their acting feet on “That ’70s Show,” Kutcher and Kunis carved out successful careers in Hollywood. They later became one of the industry’s biggest power couples. Their shared enterprises include the nonprofit Thorn, which specializes in defending children from abuse. However, in 2023, during the trial of their former colleague and friend, Danny Masterson, the couple were found to have sent a letter to the judge pleading for leniency for his sentence. The backlash only grew upon Kutcher and Kunis releasing an apology video, which many felt was insincere, especially when they stated the letter wasn’t supposed to be public. The further controversy from the video forced Kutcher to resign from Thorn.
Felicity Huffman
In 2019, the Varsity Blues scandal broke. The FBI found that several families had paid an organization to bribe or commit fraud by inflating exam results to get students into various US colleges. One of those involved in the scheme was the Emmy-winning “Desperate Housewives” star Felicity Huffman. After pleading guilty, she was sentenced to 14 days in jail and a year of supervised release; fined $30,000; and ordered to complete 250 hours of community service. Since then, Huffman has had bit parts in TV shows. Another famous performer involved in the scandal was “Full House” star Lori Loughlin. After pleading guilty to the charges, Loughlin was sentenced to two months in jail, while husband Mossimo Giannulli got five months.
Mel Gibson
On top of starring in cult franchises like “Lethal Weapon” and “Mad Max,” Gibson was the Oscar-winning director of 1995’s “Braveheart.” As such, he was once one of the most in-demand and celebrated performers around. Then, 2006 happened. While being arrested for a DUI, Gibson was recorded going on an anti-Semitic rant. Hollywood wanted nothing to do with him for years. Just as Gibson began working again, in 2010, a threatening, racially-charged voicemail to former partner Oksana Grigorieva was made public. He later pleaded no contest to a battery charge against Grigorieva and got 36 months of probation. Both of these events got him blacklisted from major Hollywood roles.
Will Smith
From rapper to TV star, Smith soon rose to the ranks of Hollywood’s most bankable stars with roles in “Ali,” “I, Robot,” and many more. At the 2022 Oscars, he was nominated for his work in “King Richard.” While Smith won his first-ever Oscar, what he did earlier in the event vastly overshadowed this triumph. After presenter Chris Rock made a joke about Smith’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith, the actor went on stage and slapped Rock in the face. Then, sitting back down, Smith yelled threats at Rock. While he apologized and resigned from the Academy, the group banned him from all events for 10 years.
Ellen DeGeneres
After making her name as a standup comic and transitioning into acting, DeGeneres found her true calling as a talk show host with “The Ellen DeGeneres Show.” For nearly two decades, her show was one of the premier places for celebrities to promote themselves and their work. However, in 2020, former workers on the program came out with allegations about the toxic experience they had on DeGeneres’s show. The accusations included racist microaggressions, executives harassing female employees, and firing staff for taking medical or bereavement leave. The controversy was so bad that DeGeneres apologized for it on her show. A few months later, it was confirmed that “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” would end in 2022.
Charlie Sheen
It seemed like Sheen would be the next breakout star in Hollywood after his work in 1986’s “Platoon” and 1987’s “Wall Street.” However, a string of controversies stopped that. By 2003, Sheen was cast in “Two and a Half Men,” turning him into TV’s highest-ever paid actor. However, in 2011, the wheels of his career came off very publicly. After struggling with substance issues and criticizing the show’s co-creator Chuck Lorre multiple times, Sheen was fired from “Two and a Half Men.” The actor then conducted a series of unsettling interviews where he claimed he had “tiger blood.” Beyond getting his own series in “Anger Management,” his reputation was further tarnished with accusations of assault against Corey Haim and against Sheen’s exes.
Allison Mack
If you were to ask “Smallville” fans their favorite character, many would’ve selected Clark Kent’s BFF Chloe Sullivan. Actress Allison Mack continued to appear in various productions after “Smallville” ended in 2011. However, in 2018, she was arrested. Twelve years prior, she joined the cult NXIVM, rising up through the ranks of what was publicly a multi-level marketing company. Privately, it indoctrinated and extorted people into being slaves for its founder, Keith Raniere, and other “masters.” In 2019, Mack pleaded guilty to a series of charges and helped the authorities gather evidence against Raniere. She was ultimately sentenced to three years in jail and was released in 2023.
James Corden
At one point, James Corden was a respected actor and creator with work on “Gavin & Stacey” and “A League of Their Own.” But when the Brit moved across the pond to take on “The Late Late Show with James Corden,” it wasn’t long until he began falling foul of people. In 2022, Corden was accused of abusive behavior at the New York restaurant Balthazar when staff apparently made his wife’s meal incorrectly. This earned the host a ban from the eatery, which was rescinded when Corden apologized. However, he then flip-flopped on his responsibility, causing the ban to be reinstated. This incident also brought to light other alleged Corden incidents that further tarnished his reputation.
Lea Michele
Whether she was releasing her own music or starring in “Glee,” “Scream Queens,” or popular stage productions, Lea Michele was lapping up nominations and awards all over the place. The sky really seemed the limit for her. But then, 2020 happened. That year, Michele posted in support of the Black Lives Matter movement on social media. In response, several former “Glee” co-stars came forward to shine a light on her hypocrisy and terrible behavior behind the scenes. On top of microaggressions, Michele was accused of racist behavior and being rude to various people on set. This included apparently calling background performers “cockroaches.” While Michele apologized, it was too late. Brands and fans left the actor in droves.
Armie Hammer
After roles in “The Social Network,” “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.,” and “Call Me by Your Name,” Armie Hammer appeared to be on the cusp of superstardom. After all, he was cast as a lead in 2022’s “Death on the Nile.” However, the publicity for that film was wrecked once the scandal about Hammer came out in 2021. The actor was accused of both physical and emotional abusive behavior with ex-partners. Film companies, fans, agencies, and brands dropped the actor all at once. He’s pretty much vanished from the public eye since, but did go on to admit to being emotionally abusive in his relationships.
Amber Heard
With the end of their marriage, the accusations of abuse, and the numerous court cases, neither party came out of this debacle looking especially favorable. However, it’s safe to say Amber Heard was not the winner of the court of public opinion. She was accused of abusive behavior and having marital affairs. Social media was rife with people mocking the “Aquaman” performer and her legal team during the infamous 2022 defamation trial. The jury sided with Depp by awarding him $15 million, while Heard was awarded $2 million. And this only made it worse for her. Afterward, she moved to Spain to escape the scrutiny. However, the public condemnation returned during the release of 2023’s “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom.”
Kevin Spacey
After receiving two Oscar Awards, Kevin Spacey ushered in the Netflix original era with his Golden Globe-winning role in “House of Cards.” Every project he was on seemed to often become a critical hit. Then, in 2017, actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of assaulting him when he was a teenager. Spacey’s response didn’t help when he claimed he didn’t remember the encounter, apologized for it happening, and then came out as gay, which drew the ire of many. When the allegations came to light, Spacey was dropped by “House of Cards.” Yet, he continued parodying his character in strange annual YouTube videos. The actor has faced several court cases with further allegations. However, they have ended in Spacey’s favor.
Michael Richards
Due to his role as Kramer on “Seinfeld,” Michael Richards was awarded the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series on three occasions. Once the sitcom ended, he dabbled in TV a little while longer before focussing on his standup routine. In 2006, he was at the Laugh Factory in Los Angeles, California, where it all came crumbling down. Richards was recorded going on a vile, slur-filled rant at hecklers. Afterward, he appeared on the “Late Show with David Letterman” to apologize. Suffice to say, this was not really the sort of apology people were looking for. Richards retired from standup and has rarely appeared in film and TV since.
Ezra Miller
There probably isn’t an actor who has had as many legal run-ins in such a short amount of time as Ezra Miller. After being cast in the “Fantastic Beasts” series and as The Flash in the DCEU, they became a household name. Then, 2020 rolled around, and a video surfaced of Miller attacking a woman at a bar in Iceland. This was unfortunately only the beginning. They have been accused of harassing people, theft, assault, and grooming, among some other odd and heinous behavior. In January of 2023, Miller pleaded guilty to misdemeanor unlawful trespass.
Roseanne Barr
As the lead of “Roseanne,” actor and comedian Roseanne Barr played a vital role in turning the show’s first run into a critical success, securing many awards along the way. In 2018, the show was revived after 20 years. However, not long after, Barr messed up massively. After several of her controversial comments came to light, Barr made a racist tweet about former political advisor Valerie Jarrett. While Barr apologized and tried to backtrack, it was too late. “Roseanne” was canceled and replaced by “The Conners,” without Barr. She has, despite all this, continued airing unpleasant thoughts and conspiracies, even doing controversial comedy routines.
Danny Masterson
Before 2017, if you were to ask fans who their favorite character on “That ‘70s Show” was, many would immediately say “Hyde.” Nowadays, it’s less so after what his actor did came to light. In 2017, several women filed sexual assault charges against the actor, who denied the accusations. After a fourth allegation, however, Netflix fired Masterson, who was a producer and actor on “The Ranch.” He was also dropped by his talent agency. In 2023, at the retrial, he was found guilty on two of the three charges, with the remaining count resulting in a hung jury. Masterson was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison for his horrific crimes.
Bill Cosby
With the title of “America’s Dad,” Bill Cosby was the biggest name in TV history, mostly known for his work on “The Cosby Show.” However, there were rumors that the actor was responsible for a host of grim crimes, yet there was little traction to them. But that all changed in 2015, when more and more victims began to come forward and the media ran their stories. In 2018, after over a decade of accusations, Cosby was charged with three counts of assault and sentenced to 3 to 10 years in jail. However, in 2021, Cosby’s conviction was overturned after it was discovered that his due process rights had been violated. Regardless, this hasn’t repaired Cosby’s image, especially as he’s faced civil cases for assault since. Which other celebrity did you adore before you learned the awful truth about them? Let us know in the comments down below!