Celebrities are often placed on a pedestal, but as you’ll soon discover, they’re just as flawed as anyone else—sometimes even more so. The stars on this list are here for reasons they’d likely prefer to forget. Whether through missteps, mistakes, or ill-chosen words, they’ve all experienced a fall from grace and faced the consequences. While some have managed to rebuild their damaged reputations and revive their careers, others remain trapped in showbiz limbo, hoping for the day the public either forgives or forgets.
Ellen Degeneres
When allegations surfaced that Ellen DeGeneres had cultivated a toxic culture of bullying behind the scenes of her show, she was swiftly labeled a hypocrite. DeGeneres, who famously ended each episode with the phrase “be kind,” seemingly failed to uphold the very message she promoted.
Winona Ryder
In 2001, Winona Ryder became the focus of a media storm after being caught on CCTV shoplifting luxury items from a store in Beverly Hills. The incident led to her stepping away from the spotlight for over a decade. However, she’s recently made a much-anticipated return with her role in the hit Netflix series *Stranger Things.*
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Allison Mack
Allison Mack, best known for her role as Chloe Sullivan on *Smallville*, became involved with NXIVM, a multilevel marketing company widely regarded as a cult. In 2021, she pleaded guilty to racketeering conspiracy charges tied to her activities with NXIVM and was sentenced to three years in prison.
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Tiger Woods
In 2009, Tiger Woods’ wife, Elin Nordegren, famously smashed the rear window of his car with a golf club, shattering both the glass and his reputation. Shortly after, dozens of women came forward, alleging affairs with Woods, leading to several of the golfer’s sponsors cutting ties with him.
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Jerry Lee Lewis
In 1957, a reporter inquired about a young girl accompanying Jerry Lee Lewis on his travels, which revealed that she was not only his wife but also 13 years old and his second cousin, Myra Lewis Williams. The ensuing scandal caused an uproar, leaving Lewis’ career permanently damaged.
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Jerry Springer
Though Jerry Springer is widely known as the king of trashy reality TV, he actually had a successful political career before entering showbiz. He even served as the Mayor of Cincinnati, but his political aspirations were derailed when he was caught soliciting the services of an escort, effectively ending his career in politics.
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Will Smith
After years of pursuing an Academy Award, Will Smith finally realized his dream by winning the Best Actor Oscar for his role in 2021’s *King Richard*. However, his achievement was completely overshadowed by his shocking onstage altercation with Chris Rock, who was hosting the event.
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Steven Seagal
Recent allegations of predatory behavior have shattered what remained of Steven Seagal’s reputation, though public opinion of him had been in decline for decades. Over time, many came to see Seagal as a fragile egomaniac, with much of his supposed martial arts expertise being widely regarded as exaggerated or false.
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O.J. Simpson
Although O.J. Simpson’s murder trial ended in a shocking acquittal, the public largely disagreed with the jury’s decision. Over a decade later, the former NFL star landed back in legal trouble when he was convicted of armed robbery.
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Hugh Grant
Hugh Grant’s penchant for portraying lovelorn hopeless romantics made the news of his being caught with an escort particularly scandalous. At the time, he was in a relationship with Elizabeth Hurley, and although Grant issued a public apology, it took considerable time for his reputation to mend.
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Shia LaBeouf
Although Shia LaBeouf has often attracted controversy throughout his career, he faced significant backlash after his ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs accused him of abusive behavior in 2019. While a lawsuit filed by Twigs remains pending, LaBeouf has largely been ostracized by Hollywood since the allegations emerged.
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Tonya Harding
After rising above a traumatic childhood and an abusive marriage, Tonya Harding became one of the most celebrated figure skaters in the sport’s history. Unfortunately, her career took a drastic turn when she was banned from competing for life after her ex-husband brutally attacked her main rival. Although Harding insisted she had no involvement in the assault, public opinion irrevocably turned against her.
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Michael Vick
In 2007, Michael Vick received a 21-month prison sentence after police uncovered his involvement in running a dogfighting ring. Although the quarterback returned to the NFL after his release, public opinion largely refused to forgive him for his actions.
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Martha Stewart
If you had predicted at the beginning of 2004 which celebrities would end up in jail that year, Martha Stewart would likely not have been on your list. However, that’s precisely what happened, as Stewart was incarcerated after being convicted of insider trading.
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Bill Murray
In 2022, it was revealed that Bill Murray had paid $100,000 to settle a case involving inappropriate behavior towards a female crew member on a film set. The veteran actor appeared largely unrepentant, claiming he “thought they were funny,” a statement that hasn’t done much to improve his situation.
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Chris Brown
When photos of Rihanna’s bruised and bloodied face surfaced online in 2009, it quickly became clear that her then-boyfriend, Chris Brown, was responsible. Brown was ultimately charged with assault, and while he managed to revive his career, his reputation has never fully recovered.
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Jonah Hill
In 2014, Jonah Hill became embroiled in controversy after being caught on camera directing homophobic slurs at a member of the paparazzi. The actor confronted the situation directly by appearing on *The Tonight Show* to apologize, and eventually, the scandal subsided.
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Louis C.K.
Regarded as one of the most pioneering comedians in history, Louis C.K. saw his opportunities dwindle after he was accused of exposing himself to women. Although he admitted that the allegations were true, he avoided jail time, but the damage to his career has been significant and enduring.
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Rob Lowe
Lowe’s career was nearly derailed in 1998 after his involvement in a threesome with an underage girl. Lowe says he didn’t know she was underage. His career rebounded, but the incident led to harsh jokes at his Comedy Central Roast back in 2016.
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Miley Cyrus
Disney stars often struggle to create a new artistic identity as they transition into adulthood, but Miley Cyrus addressed this challenge by smashing her wholesome image. The singer’s provocative music videos, outfits, and onstage performances garnered significant negative attention, though it could be argued that this was her intention.
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David Letterman
In one of the most shocking moments in television history, David Letterman disclosed live on air that he was being extorted over several extramarital affairs. The host of the *Late Night Show* made this admission in an attempt to disarm his would-be blackmailer, but it ultimately damaged his reputation and adversely affected his career for several years.
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Reese Witherspoon
When Reese Witherspoon’s husband was pulled over on suspicion of drunk driving, the actress ended up being cuffed after angrily asking the officers if they knew who she was. This display of Hollywood entitlement was not well-received, and Witherspoon quickly issued a groveling apology for her embarrassing behavior following the public backlash.
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James Frey
*A Million Little Pieces,* the title of James Frey’s harrowing firsthand account of drug addiction, became an instant sensation due to Oprah Winfrey’s endorsement. However, when it was revealed that parts of the book were fabricated, Winfrey quickly and publicly disavowed Frey, leaving his reputation in ruins.
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Tom Cruise
While Tom Cruise’s career remains robust, public opinion of the actor has diminished since he first emerged on the scene. This shift is largely attributed to his increasingly odd behavior and Katie Holmes’ allegations that he was extremely controlling during their marriage.
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Kayne West
Although Kanye West has a long history of making provocative statements, he ultimately pushed his luck too far by expressing overt anti-Semitism. As a result, he was quickly dropped by Adidas and GAP, losing his billionaire status and facing widespread condemnation from other celebrities.
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Oscar Pistorius
Once hailed as one of South Africa’s most celebrated athletes, Oscar Pistorius made history by winning medals in both the Paralympic and Olympic Games. However, a few years after his achievements, “the blade runner” found himself in the headlines again—this time for fatally shooting his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp, during an argument.
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Katherine Heigl
Not one to hold back, Katherine Heigl stirred controversy when she criticized *Grey’s Anatomy*—the show on which she was starring—for lazy writing. A few years later, she repeated this behavior by publicly disparaging *Knocked Up*, and this time, it had a lasting effect on her career.
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Roseanne Barr
Shortly after the 2017 reboot of the sitcom *Roseanne*, the show’s star made one of the most self-destructive moves in showbiz history. Barr sent out a blatantly racist tweet, prompting ABC to swiftly and decisively cancel her show.
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Lindsay Lohan
After rising to fame as a child, Lindsay Lohan appeared poised to become one of Hollywood’s top actresses. Unfortunately, her career has been largely derailed by substance abuse, leading to multiple stints in jail and rehab over the past couple of decades.
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Judy Garland
Judy Garland’s death from a drug overdose is considered one of the most shocking moments in Hollywood history, as the actress had consistently maintained a clean-cut image. In the aftermath, it was revealed that Garland had battled addiction since childhood, largely due to MGM executives supplying her with amphetamines to help her stay slim.
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Isaiah Washington
In 2007, footage surfaced of Isaiah Washington using homophobic slurs during an on-set confrontation with his *Grey’s Anatomy* co-star T.R. Knight. Washington was subsequently fired from the show, but rather than attempting to repair his reputation, he publicly stood by his remarks.
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Justin Bieber
After rising to fame as one of the world’s biggest pop stars at just 15, Justin Bieber quickly began tarnishing his reputation. The singer has been involved in several high-profile scandals, including an arrest for drunk driving and a bizarre incident where he urinated in a restaurant’s mop bucket.
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Michael Richards
After *Seinfeld* ended, Michael Richards’ stand-up career was thriving—until a video surfaced online showing him racially abusing audience members. The backlash was swift and severe, leading Richards to withdraw from public life, vowing never to perform stand-up again.
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Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson’s list of scandals is nearly as extensive as his filmography, as the actor has repeatedly faced backlash for anti-Semitic, racist, and homophobic remarks. While Gibson has apologized for some of his misdeeds, both Hollywood and the general public have been slow to forgive him.
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Paula Deen
Although accusations of racial discrimination have shadowed Paula Deen for much of her career, the public’s patience finally wore thin when details of her wedding plans emerged during a deposition. The Food Network star revealed that she had been planning a “Southern plantation style” wedding celebration, which included Black servers dressed as slaves.
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Jussie Smollett
On the night of January 19, 2019, Jussie Smollett called Chicago police to report that he had been the victim of a hate crime. However, when it was revealed that Smollett had staged the attack, the actor was sentenced to 150 days in jail, leading to the collapse of his reputation.
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Amanda Bynes
Like many child stars, Amanda Bynes’ adult life has been marred by substance abuse, mental illness, and encounters with the law. Her struggles peaked in 2013 when she was arrested for starting a fire in the driveway of a stranger’s home.
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Phil Spector
Phil Spector, one of the most legendary record producers in history, added a dark chapter to his legacy when he shot and killed actress Lana Clarkson. Although he evaded justice for six years, Spector was eventually convicted of the crime and died in prison in 2021.
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Paul Reubens
For years, Paul Reubens’ portrayal of Pee Wee Herman made him one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors. However, that changed in 1990 when Reubens was arrested at a pornographic theater and charged with indecent exposure, causing significant damage to his reputation.
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Lance Armstrong
In 2013, Lance Armstrong was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles after evidence emerged that he had been using performance-enhancing drugs. This revelation sent shockwaves through the sports world, raising awareness of cheating and resulting in numerous subsequent doping scandals.
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