Many celebrities assume that they are untouchable. But, they are constantly under public scrutiny and the public has the power to make or break a celebrity's career. When fans feel let down, they can quickly impact a star’s career. It is not enough to be talented - you also need to be organized, gracious, polite, adaptable, and unlikely to create issues while working. The stars in this list have all displayed bad judgment, confusion, or inability to cope when things don’t go their way. Prepare yourself for some of the most cringe-worthy moments that changed these stars' careers for(worse)ever.
Ellen Degeneres - Disgruntled Employees
Television host and comedian, Ellen Degeneres, has been pivotal in paving the way for LGBTQ acceptance and concludes each episode of her show by reminding people to be kind to one another so why is she the sudden target of social justice warriors? Well, it turns out that she doesn’t follow her own advice.
Though she seems pleasant enough on the show, behind the scenes she has many disgruntled employees who have been revealing the toxic environment in which they work. Employees have complained that the producers show favoritism towards certain people, reserving the promotions and perks solely for them. They have also commented that Ellen is very difficult to work with due to her high demands and mean spirit. With the secrets revealed, Ellen announced that the show will not continue.
O. J. Simpson - Murder, Armed Robbery, and Kidnapping
Where do we start with O.J. Simpson? Once a star running back in the NFL as well as a beloved on-screen personality, Simpson shocked thePool/GettyImages worldPool/GettyImages during his high-speed chase in the white bronco after the gruesome murder of his ex-wife, Nicole Brown Simpson, and Ron Goldman. In the trial of the century, Simpson was acquitted, even so, he was found liable in civil court.
Even though he walked away with his freedom, Simpson just couldn’t clean up his act. In 2007, he was taken into custody once again, this time being charged with criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, assault, robbery, and the use of a deadly weapon. The former Buffalo Bills star was convicted and sentenced to 33 years in prison, however, in October 2017 he was released.
Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey was on the Hollywood A-list with a career that was uber-successful. In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein Hollywood scandal and the subsequent #MeToo movement, actor Anthony Rapp came forward and accused Spacey of inappropriate advances when he was just 14-years-old. This accusation inspired 15 other young men to come forward with similar grievances and allegations. Amidst the controversy, Spacey was quickly fired from his leading role on Netflix’s House of Cards.
Directly after Rapp’s accusation, Spacey made things worse for himself by blaming his behavior on a drunken stupor and deflecting from the severity of the accusation with his announcement that he is gay. The backlash regarding the allegations, his apology, and his deflection has severely harmed his Hollywood career.
Fatty Arbuckle - Alleged Rape and Murder
While younger generations may be unaware of Fatty Arbuckle, he was quite arguably one of the most popular and beloved comedians of the 1910s and 1920s. Working and mentoring alongside the great Charlie Chaplin, Arbuckle became one of the most popular silent film stars and the highest-paid actor in Hollywood.
His popularity came to a screeching halt after he was accused of raping and killing aspiring actress, Virginia Rappe, in 1921. Rappe had become ill at a party hosted by Arbuckle at the St. Francis Hotel in San Francisco and mysteriously died four days later. Though her friend testified that Arbuckle had assaulted Rappe and was the cause for her death, he was acquitted of all charges. Because of the enormity of the scandal, his career never recovered.
Lance Armstrong - Use of Steroids
Once considered an inspirational true American hero, cyclist Lance Armstrong disappointed fans around the world when rumors surfaced that the seven-time Tour de France winner and testicular cancer survivor had been doping.
Armstrong faced persistent allegations of doping throughout his entire career, though for years he adamantly denied the accusations. By 2012, enough evidence had been gathered to convict him of long-term steroid use as well as the trafficking of enhancement drugs. Following the conviction, the Olympic committee banned the fallen hero for life and stripped him of his seven Tour de France titles. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2013, Armstrong finally admitted his guilt.
Kanye West - A Quite Antisemitic Tweet
The worldwide famous American rapper and producer, also well-known for marrying and divorcing social media mogul Kim Kardashian, has been involved in countless controversies throughout his career. However, this specific one, as opposed to all the others, has highly contributed to his downfall instead of earning him more success and money.
In October 2022, West posted an explicit tweet accusing Jews of controlling the world and destroying everyone who would go against their plans. This tweet first resulted in his Twitter and Instagram accounts being suspended, and then in him losing over $1 billion in deals after companies like Adidas, GAP, and Balenciaga decided to terminate their contracts with the rapper.
Jerry Lee Lewis - Married a Child
Iconic rock-n-roller, Jerry Lee Lewis, should have known that his inappropriate relationship with Myra Gale Brown would have a negative effect on his once illustrious career. Not only was he a 23-year-old marrying a 13-year-old, but Myra was also his cousin once removed.
There is no doubt that their marriage is one of the biggest controversies in rock-n-roll history. When the backlash hit, Lewis, who was once one of the most sought-after musicians, went from making $10,000 per performance to $250. While the marriage did last for 13 years, Lewis’s career never recovered.
Amanda Bynes - Erratic Behavior
Amanda Bynes was well on her way to having an incredibly successful career in the entertainment industry. With The Amanda Show and her appearances on All That, she became one of the first child superstars under Nickelodeon's umbrella. Though her career was a success, her personal life began to spiral out of control in 2012.
The first sign of trouble was when Bynes was pulled over by police and attempted to flee the scene resulting in a DUI. Upon her release from jail, she was arrested once more for possession of marijuana which then seemed to lead to a psychotic break of sorts. After intentionally setting a fire in a neighborhood and being diagnosed as bipolar, Bynes's parents applied for conservatorship of her estate and sought out professional help for their daughter.
Bill Cosby - Drugging and Sexual Assault
Once known as “America’s favorite dad”, Bill Cosby was a well-respected actor and comedian in the entertainment industry. Because of his role on The Cosby Show, he was also considered one of the most trustworthy and reputable people in the business. All of that changed when Hannibal Buress’s stand-up routine focused on Cosby and his bad habit of drugging and raping women.
Buress had been doing this stand-up routine for six months with little to no response, however, on this occasion, he was performing in Cosby’s hometown of Philadelphia. A local magazine picked up the story and women began coming forward in droves with similar allegations. Because of the statute of limitations laws, most charges could not be tried criminally, even so, Cosby was found guilty of three counts in 2018 and has been blacklisted from Hollywood.
Mel Gibson - Racism, Anti-Semitism, and Domestic Violence
Once considered one of Hollywood’s top actors and the sexiest man alive, Mel Gibson has had a few scandalous controversies that have shown his fans and colleagues his true colors. The first of which occurred in 2006 when the obviously intoxicated actor was pulled over and charged with a DUI. Instead of realizing his serious error in judgment, Gibson became belligerent and started spewing an anti-semitic rant that was leaked through TMZ.
In 2010, Gibson was once again in trouble with the law after his ex-girlfriend recorded him threatening her and, once again, using racial slurs. The Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department issued a domestic violence restraining order against him and launched an investigation. Gibson was blacklisted in Hollywood for almost a decade. Because of his legal and personal issues, he now only works behind the camera instead of being in the spotlight.
Jeffrey Tambor - Sexual Harassment
Best known for his role on Arrested Development, Jeffrey Tambor received critical praise as well as a Golden Globe and a Primetime Emmy for his portrayal of a transgender woman in the Amazon series Transparent. Though his transformative role has won him many accolades, in November 2017, two members of the cast and crew reported Tambor for sexual misconduct. Just days later, a makeup artist from another project also accused him of sexual improprieties.
Tambor addressed the allegations by saying, "I am deeply sorry if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being sexually aggressive or if I ever offended or hurt anyone. But the fact is, for all my flaws, I am not a predator and the idea that someone might see me in that way is more distressing than I can express." Two weeks later he announced that he was leaving the show.
Sinead O'Connor - Not the Pope!
Irish singer Sinead O'Connor made an unusual political statement during her Saturday Night Live performance in 1992. The risky endeavor was targeting the religious leader, Pope John Paul II. What exactly did this statement involve? Well during her performance, O’Connor took out a picture of the Pope and began ripping it to shreds while shrieking ‘Fight the real enemy.’ After that, the singer was not invited back for many live performances.
Years later, O'Connor revealed that she would seek treatment for trauma and addiction. "I had a very traumatic six years and this year was the end of it but now recovery starts," she confessed on social media. She further admitted being addicted to marijuana for 34 years, 'a lifetime', in her own words. "This year I lost someone beloved and has affected me so badly that I became briefly addicted to a drug other than weed. I grew up with a lot of trauma and abuse. I then went straight into the music business," she wrote. "And never learned really how to make a normal life." Sinead passed away in July of 2023 at age 56 after years of mental health struggles and her son's suicide in 2022.
Louis C. K. - Sexual Misconduct
Louis C.K. fueled by his sarcastic wit quickly became one the most popular and most successful comedians in the industry. Though his attitude came across as gruff, he managed to win over millions of fans and create a reputation for himself as being one of the brightest minds in the comedy world.
The #MeToo movement prompted several female comedians to come forward and expose their inappropriate interactions with him behind closed doors. Though he never technically broke the law, Louis C.K. did acknowledge that his actions were wrong. Even so, the backlash was strong. His movie, I Love You Daddy, was pulled from distribution prior to its release and his upcoming contracts and roles were all terminated.
Phillip Schofield - An Affair With a Younger Male Employee
Schofield, until recently, stood as one of Britain's foremost television figures. Teamed with his co-anchor, Holly Willoughby, he formed a jovial pair that became an integral part of ITV's midmorning talk show "This Morning." In 2020, Mr. Schofield, married for 27 years with two daughters, surprised his audience by publicly acknowledging his homosexuality and quitting the 'Morning' show. Shortly thereafter, he confessed to concealing a relationship with a much younger colleague from "This Morning," as revealed in a statement to The Daily Mail. Schofield disclosed that he first encountered the younger man, then a 15-year-old drama student, after a theater school talk.
Their relationship didn't become sexual until the younger man was around 20. Schofield said "I'm not a groomer", thus denying allegations of grooming, asserting their friendship began innocently. He understood the affair could be seen as an abuse of power but “that wasn’t how it felt at the time.”
He further confessed in an interview that his affair "was a grave error", adding: "I shouldn't have done it. I have to talk about television in the past tense, which breaks my heart,” he said. “I have lost everything. What am I going to do with my days?" he continued. "I see nothing ahead of me but blackness, and sadness, and regret, and remorse, and guilt. I did something very wrong, and then I lied about it consistently."
He further confessed in an interview that his affair "was a grave error", adding: "I shouldn't have done it. I have to talk about television in the past tense, which breaks my heart,” he said. “I have lost everything. What am I going to do with my days?" he continued. "I see nothing ahead of me but blackness, and sadness, and regret, and remorse, and guilt. I did something very wrong, and then I lied about it consistently."
Danny Masterson - Rape
Danny Masterson played the role of the cool character Hyde in the sitcom That ‘70s Show. Now, he has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons. In May of 2023, he was convicted of forcible rape and could be sentenced to 30 years to life in prison on two charges. The actor was accused of raping three women between the years 2001 and 2003. During the trial, the jury could not reach a verdict on a third rape charge, deadlocking with a vote of 8-4 in favor of conviction. As soon as the clerk announced the guilty verdicts, Masterson's family, sitting in the audience, let out an audible gasp.
His wife, actor and model Bijou Phillips, gasped when the verdict was read and wept as he was taken into custody. In a statement, one of the women whom Masterson knew as a fellow church member and who was raped by him at his home in 2003, expressed the following: “I am experiencing a complex array of emotions — relief, exhaustion, strength, sadness — knowing that my abuser, Danny Masterson, will face accountability for his criminal behavior”.
Danny Masterson Now Sentenced 30 Years to Life
The latest developments in Danny Masterson's case have shaken the world of Hollywood and those who worked with him. In September of 2023, Masterson has been sentenced to serve 30 years to life in prison for raping two women. Prosecutors contended that Masterson, 47, had exploited his stature as a prominent Scientologist to evade responsibility.
During the sentencing hearing, Judge Charlaine Olmedo permitted victims to deliver impact statements in court. Notably, former Scientologist and actor Leah Remini provided support to the women during and after their statements. Masterson, convicted in May after a retrial, faced allegations of sexually assaulting three women at his Hollywood residence from 2001-03. The jury heard that he had administered drugs prior to the assaults, resulting in convictions for rape against two accusers. Masterson, now a flight risk, remains in prison custody.
Harvey Weinstein - Rape and Sexual Misconduct
Film producer, Harvey Weinstein, has been considered for decades one of the most powerful and influential men in Hollywood. Because of this, he had the power to make or break the careers of anyone who crossed his path in the entertainment industry. As with the producers of Old Hollywood, Weinstein used this power to coerce women into sex. If they said no, they were blacklisted or even worse, raped.
In October 2017, women began coming forward and telling their stories regarding Weinstein’s abuse of power and sexual misconduct. By the end of the month, over 80 women made allegations sparking the #MeToo movement. Weinstein was fired and found guilty of two of five felonies. He was sentenced to 23 years in prison and has been blacklisted in Hollywood.
Lindsay Lohan - Legal Issues and Rehab
From a young age, Lindsay Lohan has found success as an actress, singer, and model, becoming a full-fledPool/GettyImagesged movie star by the time she was 18-years-old. At the same time, her parent’s marriage was crumbling and Lohan found herself right in the middle, unable to cope with the pressure of keeping both mom and dad happy.
Between the family pressure and the career pressure, Lohan began to spiral out of control. Her multiple legal issues became a feeding frenzy for the paparazzi, only fueling the erratic and irresponsible behavior. With multiple DUIs, misdemeanors, probation violations, and visits to rehab, studios revoked several movie deals. Though she has her act together now, relaunching her career has been difficult.
Aziz Ansari - Sexual Misconduct
Comedian, Aziz Ansari, was another artist in Hollywood who was called out in the #MeToo movement. In January 2018, an anonymous woman accused him of sexual misconduct while the two were on a date. Because Ansari is an outspoken feminist and the author of an interpersonal communication book, many of his fans questioned his true character.
What made matters worse was that the anonymous woman also said that she expressed her discomfort to him after the fact and he replied with an apology, indicating an admission of guilt. Since the story broke, an open debate has taken place regarding the grey area that exists in the #MeToo movement. Some say that the accuser was experiencing regret in lieu of an actual assault while others maintain that if a woman feels coerced, she is a victim. Ansari took a brief hiatus and then returned to stand-up.
Mark Salling - Rape and Child Pornography
After playing bit parts, Mark Salling was on his way to fame in Hollywood playing the recurring character, Puck, on the musical drama, Glee. Though his career was on the right path, his personal life was not. After a stint in court over an accusation that he had raped his ex-girlfriend, Salling was able to settle by paying her $2.7 million.
Two years later, after police received a tip from one of his exes, Salling was arrested for possession of child pornography. After obtaining a search warrant, authorities found over 50,000 images of child porn on his computer and USB drives. Salling pleaded guilty in court and was due to receive up to seven years in prison. Just prior to his sentencing hearing, Salling was found dead near his home. He had committed suicide by hanging.
Allison Mack - Involved in a Cult
Best known for her role as Chloe Sullivan on the TV series "Smallville," Mack was arrested for her involvement in a controversial self-help organization called NXIVM (pronounced "Nexium"). NXIVM was accused of operating as a cult, and its leader, Keith Raniere, faced charges including sex trafficking, racketeering, and forced labor conspiracy. Mack was accused of recruiting women into a secret subgroup within NXIVM called DOS (Dominus Obsequious Sororium), where women were allegedly exploited and subjected to physical and emotional abuse.
In April 2019, Mack pleaded guilty to racketeering and racketeering conspiracy charges. Her guilty plea acknowledged her role in recruiting women and facilitating their involvement in DOS. The case garnered widespread media attention due to its sensational nature and the involvement of well-known individuals, including Mack and other high-profile figures associated with NXIVM.
Gina Carano- Culturally Offensive
In early 2021, Gina Carano faced backlash for a social media post comparing being a Republican to being a Jew during the Holocaust. This led fans to uncover other problematic posts where she criticized wearing face masks and alleged voter fraud in the 2020 election.
As a result, Lucasfilm and Disney parted ways with her, canceling plans for her character to have a standalone show. A Lucasfilm representative condemned her posts, stating they were "abhorrent and unacceptable." Carano was also dropped by her agency following the controversy.
Hartley Sawyer- Racism, Misogynistic, and Homophobic
Hartley Sawyer was fired from The Flash in 2020 due to old racist, misogynistic, and homophobic tweets. Some tweets mentioned assaulting women, including one about "date rape." Sawyer apologized on Instagram, acknowledging the hurtful nature of his words and expressing regret for seeking attention in a harmful way.
Despite his apology, he faced consequences, with no upcoming projects in sight. This incident highlights the importance of considering the impact of words, even in jest, and the lasting effects they can have.
Melissa Rauch - 'Hobbit' Hands
Best known for her role as Bernadette Rostenkowski-Wolowitz on the hit TV show "The Big Bang Theory," Melissa has managed to steer clear of any major Hollywood scandals throughout her career. Unlike many celebrities who find themselves entangled in controversy, Rauch has maintained a relatively low profile, focusing on her work rather than seeking attention through scandalous behavior. However, she recently revealed she was involved in an outrageous controversy.
Melissa once lost a job because of - lo and behold - her 'Hobbit' hands! Yes, really. "When I was first auditioning and going out for commercials, my hands really stood in the way. I was in the running for a [TGI] Friday's commercial, to play a waitress, and I was down to the wire on it. They asked for my availability for the next week. I was in the callback, and they said, 'Okay, great, so glad you're available next week. One more thing, can we just see your hands, to the camera? Show them back and front.' I did that, and I heard the director from behind the camera go, 'Jesus Christ!'" she recalled. "I didn't get the job." Fortunately, such body-shaming didn't deter Melissa from seeking other jobs that eventually landed her a spot in the Hollywood scene.
R. Kelly - Child Pornography, Sex Trafficking, Sex Crimes
R. Kelly….oof, where do we even begin? The I Believe I Can Fly singer had a successful and promising career, however, his secret obsession took over and, quite frankly, ruined his life and the lives of countless others. The saga began in 2002 when Kelly was indicted on 21 counts of child pornography and having sex with a minor.
Kelly refuted the claims until 2018 when authorities produced hard evidence that he had entrapped young girls and used them as sex slaves. His label dropped him immediately and the feds charged him with sex crimes, human trafficking, child pornography, racketeering, and obstruction of justice. As of January 2021, he faces 22 federal counts and is incarcerated at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago.
Armie Hammer - Canibalism and Sexual Abuse
Once considered a rising star in Hollywood, Hammer faced a series of scandals that tarnished his reputation and derailed his career. Allegations of sexual misconduct, cannibalism, and disturbing messages circulated online, revealing a dark side that shocked the industry and fans alike. Multiple women came forward in 2021, accusing him of violent sexual assault, rape, and even cannibalistic tendencies. The seriousness of these accusations led to a nine-month investigation by the LAPD. One of the accusers shared disturbing messages from Hammer's social media accounts that hinted at cannibalism, rape fantasies, and BDSM. Other women gave harrowing accounts of their relationships with Hammer, describing emotional abuse and sexual coercion.
In recent years, Hammer has been residing in the Cayman Islands, where he shares custody of his children with ex-wife Elizabeth Chambers. Contrary to rumors of him working as a concierge, Hammer has actually been employed as a timeshare salesman. The scandals surrounding Hammer have undoubtedly had a profound impact on his once-thriving Hollywood career.
Martha Stewart - Securities Fraud
Martha Stewart proved herself to be a savvy and successful businesswoman, author, and television personality until she was indicted in 2003 on charges of securities fraud and obstruction of justice. During the trial, she opted to step down as the CEO and chairwoman of Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia, the company she founded in 1997.
After being found guilty of obstruction of agency proceedings, conspiracy, and making false statements to federal investigators in 2004, she was sentenced to five months in prison, five months of house arrest (not too shabby in a home like hers), and probation for two years after her release.
Chris Brown - Domestic Violence
By 2009, R&B singer, Chris Brown, was rising up the ranks in the music world due to his talent, the popularity of his music, and his relationship with Rihanna. Fans and the paparazzi had fallen in love with the superstar couple, however, their vested interest would prove to be devastating to his career.
In February 2009, at a pre-Grammy party, Brown, and Rihanna got into an argument that escalated into a violent altercation. Brown lost his cool and physically hit Rihanna leaving her with a split lip, bruised cheeks, and lacerations to her forehead. The pop star was arrested and charged with felony assault. He accepted a plea deal of community labor, five years probation, and domestic violence counseling. The incident has remained a stain on his reputation.
Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker - Drugging, Rape, and Fraud
Jim and Tammy Bakker hit the airwaves as a televangelist couple with high moral fiber and a direct line to God himself. While on their pedestal, they preached about God and called out sinners all while aggressively suggesting that donations would give their followers the forgiveness they needed. This worked until 1987 when the couple’s true intentions were exposed.
Jim Bakker’s personal secretary came forward with allegations that he had drugged and raped her. Because of the enormity of the accusations, the church cut ties, and Bakker resigned. With all of the media coverage, the IRS took notice of the couple’s enormous wealth and after a review of their finances, jailed them both for fraud. Televangelist, Jerry Falwell, was happy to take their place publicly shaming them by saying they were “the greatest scab and cancer on the face of Christianity”.
Tila Tequila - Announced Her Admiration for Hitler
Reality star, Tila Tequila, has posted some questionable content on her social media dating back to 2013. She began by posting photos of herself dressed in a scantily clad Nazi uniform in front of a photo of Auschwitz. After being banned from Celebrity Big Brother for the racist photos, Tequila claimed that her actions were due to drug addiction and depression.
Well, her Hitler obsession began rearing its ugly head again in 2016 with multiple anti-semitic rants on Twitter. In her tweets, she has called for the deaths of Jewish stars, called the leader of the Neo-Nazi party her “boo”, and she has claimed to be the reincarnation of Hitler himself. Not only has she wrecked her career, but she has also gone to the dark side.
Joe Paterno - Child Sex Abuse Cover-Up
Penn State football coach, Joe Paterno, endearingly known as “JoePa”, was once considered a national treasure. The beloved sports figure fell from grace, however, after authorities discovered that his former defensive coordinator, Jerry Sandusky, was involved in a child sex abuse scandal.
Following the investigation into Sandusky, former FBI director, Louis Freeh, determined that Paterno was not only aware of the egregious behavior of his counterpart, but also prevented university officials from exposing it to authorities for nearly a decade. After coaching for 61 years, Paterno’s contract was terminated and his 111 wins were vacated from his record. Though a court case in 2015 ruled to restore the wins to Penn State, Paterno’s career was over.