By Ace Vincent
| Published
Hollywood’s glitzy exterior has always been accompanied by a sinister interior. A celebrity’s faults are magnified for the world to see because fame comes with a great deal of scrutiny.
While some celebrities are able to weather these storms, others have irreversible career changes as a result of public outrage. Here is a list of 16 Hollywood scandals that nearly destroyed the careers of major celebrities, showing how even the biggest stars can face career-threatening controversies.
Robert Downey Jr.’s Substance Abuse
Before becoming Iron Man, Robert Downey Jr.’s career was in serious jeopardy due to his very public battles with substance abuse throughout the 1990s. His addiction led to multiple arrests, including a notorious incident where he was found unconscious in a neighbor’s home.
After serving time in prison and completing rehabilitation, Downey mounted one of the most impressive comebacks in Hollywood history.
Hugh Grant’s Arrest
Hugh Grant was a romantic comedy star in 1995 when he and a worker were arrested in Los Angeles. He was dating Elizabeth Hurley and promoting his movie “Nine Months,” so the timing couldn’t have been worse.
Grant didn’t run away from the issue; instead, he apologized right away on late-night shows, which eventually saved his reputation and career.
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Winona Ryder’s Shoplifting Incident
Winona Ryder’s career took a significant hit when she was caught shoplifting approximately $5,500 worth of designer merchandise from Saks Fifth Avenue in 2001. The incident resulted in a highly publicized trial where she was convicted of grand theft and vandalism.
Ryder virtually disappeared from major films for years before gradually returning to prominence, especially with her role in ‘Stranger Things.’
Matthew Broderick’s Car Accident
In 1987, Matthew Broderick was vacationing in Northern Ireland with his then-girlfriend Jennifer Grey when he accidentally drove on the wrong side of the road, causing a head-on collision that killed two people. He was charged with causing death by dangerous driving but was ultimately convicted of the lesser charge of careless driving.
While the accident didn’t destroy his career, it remained a dark cloud that followed him for years.
Mel Gibson’s Racist Tirade
After a string of episodes, including his anti-Semitic tirade following a 2006 DUI arrest, Mel Gibson went from being one of Hollywood’s most bankable actors to an industry outcast. In 2010, recordings of him making threatening phone calls to his ex-girlfriend came to light, further damaging his reputation.
After living in exile in Hollywood for almost ten years, Gibson gradually returned to the business, mostly as a director.
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Janet Jackson’s Super Bowl Incident
After her infamous “wardrobe malfunction” at the 2004 Super Bowl halftime performance with Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson’s professional path veers drastically. The episode led to the moniker “Nipplegate” and a hefty FCC penalty for CBS.
Jackson was blacklisted at numerous venues and her album sales dropped dramatically years later, even as Timberlake’s career kept blossoming.
Charlie Sheen’s Public Meltdown
During his extremely public 2011 meltdown, Charlie Sheen participated in strange interviews claiming to have “tiger blood” and to be “winning.” This behavior resulted in his being let go from the blockbuster program “Two and a Half Men,” where he was making $1.8 million an episode.
His next works never attained the same degree of popularity, and his reputation never entirely recovered from the strange display.
Woody Harrelson’s Assault Charge
Early in his stardom, Woody Harrelson was arrested at LaGuardia Airport in 1995 for allegedly attacking paparazzi. He was already well-known for “Cheers” when the incident occurred, and he had lately featured in provocative movies like “Natural Born Killers.”
Harrelson’s career survived largely because he effectively maintained he mistook the photographer for a zombie assailant, producing an odd but memorable response that kept public opinion from totally turning against him.
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Lindsay Lohan’s Legal Troubles
Several DUI arrests and probation violations between 2007 and 2011 were among the legal troubles that contributed to Lindsay Lohan’s transition from Disney darling to problematic figure. House arrest, jail time, and required rehabilitation stays were the results of these issues.
Her once promising career became a cautionary story as a result of studios’ reluctance to cast her due to her reliability concerns, effectively ruining her A-list status.
Rob Lowe’s Tape Scandal
The release of an intimate recording in 1988 that showed Rob Lowe with two women, one of whom was just 16 years old, seriously harmed the actor’s career. Despite being forced to leave Hollywood due to the incident, Lowe later brought his career back to life with parts on television shows including “Parks and Recreation” and “The West Wing.”
Before the internet era, the incident occurred, giving him more solitude to repair his reputation.
Paul Reubens’ Arrest
Paul Reubens, better known as the children’s character Pee-wee Herman, saw his career implode in 1991 when he was arrested for indecent exposure at an adult theater in Florida. CBS immediately stopped airing his Saturday morning children’s show, and his toys were pulled from stores nationwide.
After years away from the spotlight, Reubens eventually returned to his iconic character and found a more accepting audience in later years.
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Mike Tyson’s Controversies
While technically a sports figure, Mike Tyson’s Hollywood connections make his downfall notable. After becoming the youngest heavyweight champion, Tyson’s career was derailed by a 1992 conviction that resulted in a three-year prison sentence.
His reputation took further hits with additional legal issues and the infamous ear-biting incident during a 1997 fight with Evander Holyfield. Surprisingly, Tyson later reinvented himself through movie cameos and a one-man show.
Martha Stewart’s Insider Trading
Martha Stewart’s empire was threatened when she was indicted for securities fraud and obstruction of justice related to a 2001 stock sale. She ultimately served five months in prison and five months of home confinement.
The scandal temporarily destroyed her company’s stock value and damaged her perfectly crafted image, though she managed an impressive comeback by embracing her new reputation with self-deprecating humor.
Britney Spears’ Public Breakdown
Britney Spears’ 2007 public breakdown, which included shaving her head and attacking a paparazzo’s car with an umbrella, led to a conservatorship that controlled her life and finances for 13 years. These incidents seriously damaged her image as America’s pop princess and raised questions about her ability to perform.
The #FreeBritney movement eventually helped her regain control of her life, though the psychological toll of those years remains evident.
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Kathy Griffin’s Trump Photo
Comedian Kathy Griffin faced immediate backlash after posing for a 2017 photo holding what appeared to be the severed head of then-President Donald Trump. The controversial image resulted in Griffin being fired from her New Year’s Eve hosting gig at CNN, having tour dates canceled, and even being investigated by the Secret Service.
Griffin later apologized but claimed she was blacklisted from television and major venues for years afterward.
Johnny Depp vs. Amber Heard
Allegations of domestic violence from his ex-wife Amber Heard seriously tarnished Johnny Depp’s career. The charges resulted in Depp being booted from the “Fantastic Beast” series and subject to industry exile.
Though Depp’s partial court triumph in 2022 has allowed him to gradually return to more prominent jobs, their ensuing defamation lawsuits were a public spectacle revealing problematic behavior from both sides.
The Price of Fame and Recovery
Over the years, Hollywood’s attitude toward scandal has changed; some celebrities have found atonement, while others have continued to be characterized by their darkest moments. These examples show how timing, public opinion, and the celebrity’s decision to own up to their mistakes can all have an impact on a career recovery.
The court of public opinion renders its decision more quickly than ever in the social media age, but it also occasionally grants second chances to people who seem sincere in their regrets.
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