Top 10 Actors Who Thrived Despite Being Hated
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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the performers who have had enduring careers despite blowback from fans and co-workers about their behavior or attitude. Which of these notorious celebs were you surprised to see here? Let us know in the comments.
The Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman has had many eras and worn many hats in one career. He’s even an Oscar winner for 2013’s “Dallas Buyers Club.” But it’s his antics in pursuing his method that has rubbed some the wrong way. To create the desired antagonism between himself and his castmates, the Joker actor decided to mail them a series of elaborate and disgusting gifts. He delivered dead pigs, and many other unseemly things, to their homes and rehearsal spaces. It seems excessive, even if he weren’t only in the movie for less than ten minutes. Viola Davis was more straightforward in her assessment. She was most likely joking, but it was clear she wasn’t amused.
Since finding fame with her explosive and expletive-laden comedy, Schumer has attracted criticism from all sides of the political spectrum. Whether this was because of misogyny or genuine criticisms seems to depend on who it’s coming from. She’s been outspoken about her feminist politics, but critics have accused her of bias several times in her career. Schumer’s also been dogged by allegations of plagiarism, accused of stealing jokes from comedians like John Mulaney and Tammy Pescatelli. She was criticized again in 2023 for a series of social media posts in the wake of the October 7 attacks, which she later apologized for. Despite all this, she continues to have a successful career in comedy and in films.
Few Hollywood personalities rose as quickly as this writer-director-performer wunderkind. The daughter of two prominent artists, Dunham started out in short films before HBO’s “Girls” launched her to international stardom. Her brand of narcissistic millennial comedy wasn’t for everybody. “Girls” was heavily criticized for its mostly white cast, considering it takes place in New York, one of the most racially diverse cities in the world. Dunham also landed in a series of controversies based on comments she made both on social media and in her memoirs. After “Girls,” Dunham took a break from show biz but has gone on to perform, write or executive produce various films and shows.
His role as Captain James Kirk will forever cement him in the hearts of “Star Trek” fans. He’s a fan favorite, even if his acting could be termed… excessive. His colleagues on that show were, mostly, notably less enthusiastic about Shatner the person. George Takei, who played Lieutenant Sulu on the original program, called the actor a “self-involved prima donna” in his memoir, “To the Stars.” Takei isn’t the only one who’s alluded to Shatner’s backstage coldness. Fellow “Star Trek” actors Walter Koenig, James Doohan, and even Spock actor Leonard Nimoy all had their tensions with Shatner. It didn’t stop him enjoying a nearly sixty-year career, and counting, afterwards.
It’s not her acting that makes her a lightning rod for criticism. Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow has made several statements about health and wellness over the years that seemed out of touch with the economic realities of everyday people. Not only that, but some of the products launched through her lifestyle brand, Goop, have been the subject of lawsuits. While her privilege may show more often than a lot of celebs, she still has her fans. Like all things in show business, opinion sways back and forth. Recently, a high-profile lawsuit against her made her an instant meme.
You don’t revolutionize American acting without breaking a few rules. Co-stars, directors, and other collaborators have been vocal throughout the years about Brando’s tendency to hold up entire movies with his ego, temper, and lack of preparation. His “Guys and Dolls” co-star, Frank Sinatra, reportedly hated him with a passion. His actions, and those of director Bernardo Bertolucci, towards co-star Maria Schneider in “Last Tango in Paris” led to serious accusations. Brando is remembered for his groundbreaking work in so many landmark films, but unfortunately, his overall reputation paints a less flattering picture.
Few celebrities like the paparazzi. Even fewer let them know it as blatantly as Alec Baldwin does. However, Baldwin’s anger seems like a genuine problem. Arguments over paparazzi photos, parking spots, and putting away his electronic devices on a plane have blown up into full-on media crises. From his outspoken politics to his profanity-laden voicemail to his young daughter, Ireland, Baldwin has had a lot of his worst moments aired out for the public to witness. Apparently, he’s not hated enough to not be welcomed back with open arms when he makes fun of those worst moments. However, the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” gave social media users another excuse to unleash more criticism.
While he may have finally seen his career come to a halt when he was fired from “Community,” Chevy Chase has been described as the bane of movie and TV sets for years. After his success in the early years of “SNL,” Chase embarked on a successful movie career which includes “Caddyshack” and the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” series. Co-stars have characterized Chase as a ham and a showboat who is not just hard to work with, but hard to be around in general. His challenging personality is such a known fact that his roast at the New York Friars Club was one of the most vicious roast specials Comedy Central ever broadcast.
Rachel Berry was “Glee’s” resident terror. She was selfish, spoiled, and entitled. But surely Rachel Berry is just a character. Well, not according to several of actress Lea Michele’s castmates. When major accusations, like threats to defecate in another actor’s wig, surfaced on social media, her co-stars didn’t necessarily leap to her defense. In fact, they’ve all been pretty tactful about it. But there were issues. While this type of bad press may have ended other performers’ careers, Michele was actually on her way to her biggest triumph. She took over the role she, and Rachel, seemed born to play: Fanny Brice in the Broadway musical “Funny Girl.” Michele’s run after Beanie Feldstein left the role garnered great press and better reviews.
It’s not just that he was in some of the biggest musical bombs of the last decade or so. It’s not just that he berates restaurant workers. It’s not just that he doesn’t know his own cameramen’s names. It’s not even the joke-stealing accusations. It’s, well… it’s all of those things. His sour attitude and alleged mistreatment of his production crew aside, Corden hasn’t had much luck capitalizing on his fame outside of his since-ended late night show. In fact, that may be part of the problem. He plays such a lovable guy on TV that to hear he’s anything different in real life, just gives many the ick.
#10: Jared Leto
The Thirty Seconds to Mars frontman has had many eras and worn many hats in one career. He’s even an Oscar winner for 2013’s “Dallas Buyers Club.” But it’s his antics in pursuing his method that has rubbed some the wrong way. To create the desired antagonism between himself and his castmates, the Joker actor decided to mail them a series of elaborate and disgusting gifts. He delivered dead pigs, and many other unseemly things, to their homes and rehearsal spaces. It seems excessive, even if he weren’t only in the movie for less than ten minutes. Viola Davis was more straightforward in her assessment. She was most likely joking, but it was clear she wasn’t amused.
#9: Amy Schumer
Since finding fame with her explosive and expletive-laden comedy, Schumer has attracted criticism from all sides of the political spectrum. Whether this was because of misogyny or genuine criticisms seems to depend on who it’s coming from. She’s been outspoken about her feminist politics, but critics have accused her of bias several times in her career. Schumer’s also been dogged by allegations of plagiarism, accused of stealing jokes from comedians like John Mulaney and Tammy Pescatelli. She was criticized again in 2023 for a series of social media posts in the wake of the October 7 attacks, which she later apologized for. Despite all this, she continues to have a successful career in comedy and in films.
#8: Lena Dunham
Few Hollywood personalities rose as quickly as this writer-director-performer wunderkind. The daughter of two prominent artists, Dunham started out in short films before HBO’s “Girls” launched her to international stardom. Her brand of narcissistic millennial comedy wasn’t for everybody. “Girls” was heavily criticized for its mostly white cast, considering it takes place in New York, one of the most racially diverse cities in the world. Dunham also landed in a series of controversies based on comments she made both on social media and in her memoirs. After “Girls,” Dunham took a break from show biz but has gone on to perform, write or executive produce various films and shows.
#7: William Shatner
His role as Captain James Kirk will forever cement him in the hearts of “Star Trek” fans. He’s a fan favorite, even if his acting could be termed… excessive. His colleagues on that show were, mostly, notably less enthusiastic about Shatner the person. George Takei, who played Lieutenant Sulu on the original program, called the actor a “self-involved prima donna” in his memoir, “To the Stars.” Takei isn’t the only one who’s alluded to Shatner’s backstage coldness. Fellow “Star Trek” actors Walter Koenig, James Doohan, and even Spock actor Leonard Nimoy all had their tensions with Shatner. It didn’t stop him enjoying a nearly sixty-year career, and counting, afterwards.
#6: Gwyneth Paltrow
It’s not her acting that makes her a lightning rod for criticism. Oscar-winner Gwyneth Paltrow has made several statements about health and wellness over the years that seemed out of touch with the economic realities of everyday people. Not only that, but some of the products launched through her lifestyle brand, Goop, have been the subject of lawsuits. While her privilege may show more often than a lot of celebs, she still has her fans. Like all things in show business, opinion sways back and forth. Recently, a high-profile lawsuit against her made her an instant meme.
#5: Marlon Brando
You don’t revolutionize American acting without breaking a few rules. Co-stars, directors, and other collaborators have been vocal throughout the years about Brando’s tendency to hold up entire movies with his ego, temper, and lack of preparation. His “Guys and Dolls” co-star, Frank Sinatra, reportedly hated him with a passion. His actions, and those of director Bernardo Bertolucci, towards co-star Maria Schneider in “Last Tango in Paris” led to serious accusations. Brando is remembered for his groundbreaking work in so many landmark films, but unfortunately, his overall reputation paints a less flattering picture.
#4: Alec Baldwin
Few celebrities like the paparazzi. Even fewer let them know it as blatantly as Alec Baldwin does. However, Baldwin’s anger seems like a genuine problem. Arguments over paparazzi photos, parking spots, and putting away his electronic devices on a plane have blown up into full-on media crises. From his outspoken politics to his profanity-laden voicemail to his young daughter, Ireland, Baldwin has had a lot of his worst moments aired out for the public to witness. Apparently, he’s not hated enough to not be welcomed back with open arms when he makes fun of those worst moments. However, the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of “Rust” gave social media users another excuse to unleash more criticism.
#3: Chevy Chase
While he may have finally seen his career come to a halt when he was fired from “Community,” Chevy Chase has been described as the bane of movie and TV sets for years. After his success in the early years of “SNL,” Chase embarked on a successful movie career which includes “Caddyshack” and the “National Lampoon’s Vacation” series. Co-stars have characterized Chase as a ham and a showboat who is not just hard to work with, but hard to be around in general. His challenging personality is such a known fact that his roast at the New York Friars Club was one of the most vicious roast specials Comedy Central ever broadcast.
#2: Lea Michele
Rachel Berry was “Glee’s” resident terror. She was selfish, spoiled, and entitled. But surely Rachel Berry is just a character. Well, not according to several of actress Lea Michele’s castmates. When major accusations, like threats to defecate in another actor’s wig, surfaced on social media, her co-stars didn’t necessarily leap to her defense. In fact, they’ve all been pretty tactful about it. But there were issues. While this type of bad press may have ended other performers’ careers, Michele was actually on her way to her biggest triumph. She took over the role she, and Rachel, seemed born to play: Fanny Brice in the Broadway musical “Funny Girl.” Michele’s run after Beanie Feldstein left the role garnered great press and better reviews.
#1: James Corden
It’s not just that he was in some of the biggest musical bombs of the last decade or so. It’s not just that he berates restaurant workers. It’s not just that he doesn’t know his own cameramen’s names. It’s not even the joke-stealing accusations. It’s, well… it’s all of those things. His sour attitude and alleged mistreatment of his production crew aside, Corden hasn’t had much luck capitalizing on his fame outside of his since-ended late night show. In fact, that may be part of the problem. He plays such a lovable guy on TV that to hear he’s anything different in real life, just gives many the ick.
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