10 People with the WORST Reputations in Hollywood
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VOICE OVER: Richard Bush
WRITTEN BY: Nick Spake
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're looking at celebrities whose reputations have been tainted by controversy. In this list, we take a look at the likes of R. Kelly, Harvey Weinstein and Ellen DeGeneres.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at celebrities whose reputations have been tainted by controversy.
After coming out in the late 90s, Ellen DeGeneres weathered a storm of prejudice, emerging as an LGBTQ+ icon and one of comedy’s most beloved figures. By 2020, DeGeneres’ reputation seemed as golden as ever. It quickly turned to fool’s gold as several ex-employees claimed that the talk show personality created a toxic work environment. Despite her human rights activism and upbeat on-screen personality, DeGeneres was accused of discrimination and harassment. An investigation was launched as more people ranging from former staff members to celebrities spoke out. Three executives exited, but DeGeneres continued to host her show until its conclusion in 2022 shy of its 20th anniversary. While DeGeneres hasn’t left the spotlight completely, the industry isn’t known for having a short-term memory.
The artist formerly known as Kanye has repeatedly found new ways to top himself in the infamy department. Even during a time when many Americans were getting fed up with George W. Bush, West’s comment about the president’s views toward Black people felt jolting and random. Not as random as the time he crashed Taylor Swift’s VMA acceptance speech. That might have been the most viral blow to West’s reputation, but his views on politics, slavery, and the Holocaust made him a pariah. Although West has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, people still question how much of his behavior is rooted in mental health and how much is just Kanye being Kanye. Either way, various brands and celebrities have distanced themselves from him.
In a flash, we went from “We Need to Talk About Kevin” to “We Can’t Stop Talking About Ezra For All the Wrong Reasons.” The actor’s prominent roles in the DCEU and “Fantastic Beasts” franchise became an afterthought following a video where they seemingly strangled a woman. Just when it looked like the backlash was dying down, Miller raged through 2022 like a tornado of PR nightmares. In addition to multiple arrests, the actor would be accused of theft, assault, grooming, harassment, and child endangerment with the media struggling to keep up. Whether or not their actions are the main reason why movies such as “The Flash” underperformed, Miller’s reputation may be beyond reversing with projects like “Invincible” already recasting them.
When Marvel cast Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, it was considered a risk given his past. Conversely, there appeared to be few risks when Marvel made a similar long-term commitment in Jonathan Majors. Where Downey now has one of the most glowing reputations in Hollywood, Majors’ A-lister status ended before it even started. On the heels of several acclaimed performances and debuting as Kang the Conqueror, Majors was at the forefront of an assault case. The writing seemed to be on the wall as Majors’ management dropped him as a client, but it wasn’t until after he was found guilty that Marvel officially severed ties. While Majors avoided any jail time, his career remains in limbo along with undistributed films like “Magazine Dreams.”
Gaining a reputation as the Norman Lear of kids’ TV, it was hard to imagine Nickelodeon without Dan Schneider. When Schneider and Nick parted in 2018, a joint statement described it as a “natural time… to pursue other opportunities and projects.” With Schneider being accused of temper tantrums and further misconduct, many suspected something more troubling was afoot. This became more apparent after Jennette McCurdy alluded to the “iCarly” creator in her 2022 memoir. In the coming years, former child stars, female writers, and others who worked with Schneider opened up about their trauma. Schneider wasn’t the only controversial Nickelodeon employee with Brian Peck going from Pickle Boy to convicted predator. In terms of industry influence and power, though, few have fallen farther than Schneider.
Combs didn’t have a spotless record going into November 2023. Even with multiple arrests and high-profile feuds, Combs maintained his image as a respected performer and businessman until ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit, accusing him of assault. While that case was settled, three more lawsuits followed with Combs’ alleged behavior spanning from 1991 to 2003. By December 2023, Combs had lost 18 brand deals and taken a step back as Revolt TV’s chairman. The following March, the authorities raided Combs’ homes in Miami and L.A. with an investigation underway. Combs has since been implicated in another assault case with his son Christian. Whatever the verdicts are, Combs will likely spend more time in court than in the recording studio for the foreseeable future.
It seemed like Danny Masterson would be forever remembered as the guy who played Hyde on “That '70s Show.” Since 2017, the actor has been primarily known for more notorious reasons, casting a dark shadow over the sitcom’s legacy. The assault accusations against Masterson not only shined a light on the widespread history of abuse in Hollywood, but also on the Church of Scientology’s reputation for allegedly sweeping scandals under the rug. Once that rug is lifted, the mess is difficult to overlook. Following a lengthy legal battle, Masterson was found guilty in 2023, receiving a sentence that could keep him behind bars for anywhere between 25½ years and life. Even if Masterson is released before turning 75, his career appears deader than disco.
Sometimes it takes a documentary to get the wheels of justice moving. “Surviving R. Kelly” marked the beginning of the end for the infamous singer, but his reputation had been shrouded in shame for nearly two decades. From his illegal marriage to the underage Aaliyah, to the assault accusations brought forward by the underage Tiffany Hawkins, to a leaked video allegedly depicting him doing the unspeakable to another underage victim, it seemed like there was no controversy Kelly couldn’t bury in the closet. The industry repeatedly turned a blind eye until the 2019 documentary debuted, motivating RCA Records to drop Kelly. The law also reevaluated Kelly, who has since been convicted on multiple charges, including abuse, resulting in a combined sentence of 31 years.
For decades, Harvey Weinstein was among Hollywood’s most powerful and feared producers. By 2015, though, The Weinstein Company was on shaky financial ground with the studio’s Oscar wins also declining. It’s probably not a coincidence that it was around this time Hollywood stopped ignoring the elephant in the room. Between The New York Times and The New Yorker, Weinstein’s years of abuse became public knowledge in October 2017. Losing his company and Academy membership, Weinstein soon found himself at the center of multiple trials and serving prison time. Many have ruined their reputations throughout the MeToo movement, but the fact that this former movie mogul provided the Weinstein effect’s namesake is a testament to how far his misconduct reached.
Like Weinstein, the allegations against Bill Cosby were something of an open secret for years. Yet, people seemed in denial that “America’s Dad” and the spokesman for such wholesome products like Pudding Pops could be a monster. After another swarm of accusations hit in 2014, though, the public’s perception of Cosby was shattered for good. This culminated with a guilty verdict in 2018, although Cosby only served roughly three years. Since his release, Cosby has expressed interest in staging a tour, saying in 2022, “When I come out of this, I feel that I will be able to perform and be the Bill Cosby that my audience knows me to be.” The Bill Cosby that audiences now know is vastly different than Cliff Huxtable, however.
Ellen DeGeneres
After coming out in the late 90s, Ellen DeGeneres weathered a storm of prejudice, emerging as an LGBTQ+ icon and one of comedy’s most beloved figures. By 2020, DeGeneres’ reputation seemed as golden as ever. It quickly turned to fool’s gold as several ex-employees claimed that the talk show personality created a toxic work environment. Despite her human rights activism and upbeat on-screen personality, DeGeneres was accused of discrimination and harassment. An investigation was launched as more people ranging from former staff members to celebrities spoke out. Three executives exited, but DeGeneres continued to host her show until its conclusion in 2022 shy of its 20th anniversary. While DeGeneres hasn’t left the spotlight completely, the industry isn’t known for having a short-term memory.
Kanye “Ye” West
The artist formerly known as Kanye has repeatedly found new ways to top himself in the infamy department. Even during a time when many Americans were getting fed up with George W. Bush, West’s comment about the president’s views toward Black people felt jolting and random. Not as random as the time he crashed Taylor Swift’s VMA acceptance speech. That might have been the most viral blow to West’s reputation, but his views on politics, slavery, and the Holocaust made him a pariah. Although West has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, people still question how much of his behavior is rooted in mental health and how much is just Kanye being Kanye. Either way, various brands and celebrities have distanced themselves from him.
Ezra Miller
In a flash, we went from “We Need to Talk About Kevin” to “We Can’t Stop Talking About Ezra For All the Wrong Reasons.” The actor’s prominent roles in the DCEU and “Fantastic Beasts” franchise became an afterthought following a video where they seemingly strangled a woman. Just when it looked like the backlash was dying down, Miller raged through 2022 like a tornado of PR nightmares. In addition to multiple arrests, the actor would be accused of theft, assault, grooming, harassment, and child endangerment with the media struggling to keep up. Whether or not their actions are the main reason why movies such as “The Flash” underperformed, Miller’s reputation may be beyond reversing with projects like “Invincible” already recasting them.
Jonathan Majors
When Marvel cast Robert Downey Jr. as Tony Stark, it was considered a risk given his past. Conversely, there appeared to be few risks when Marvel made a similar long-term commitment in Jonathan Majors. Where Downey now has one of the most glowing reputations in Hollywood, Majors’ A-lister status ended before it even started. On the heels of several acclaimed performances and debuting as Kang the Conqueror, Majors was at the forefront of an assault case. The writing seemed to be on the wall as Majors’ management dropped him as a client, but it wasn’t until after he was found guilty that Marvel officially severed ties. While Majors avoided any jail time, his career remains in limbo along with undistributed films like “Magazine Dreams.”
Dan Schneider
Gaining a reputation as the Norman Lear of kids’ TV, it was hard to imagine Nickelodeon without Dan Schneider. When Schneider and Nick parted in 2018, a joint statement described it as a “natural time… to pursue other opportunities and projects.” With Schneider being accused of temper tantrums and further misconduct, many suspected something more troubling was afoot. This became more apparent after Jennette McCurdy alluded to the “iCarly” creator in her 2022 memoir. In the coming years, former child stars, female writers, and others who worked with Schneider opened up about their trauma. Schneider wasn’t the only controversial Nickelodeon employee with Brian Peck going from Pickle Boy to convicted predator. In terms of industry influence and power, though, few have fallen farther than Schneider.
Sean “Diddy” Combs
Combs didn’t have a spotless record going into November 2023. Even with multiple arrests and high-profile feuds, Combs maintained his image as a respected performer and businessman until ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura filed a lawsuit, accusing him of assault. While that case was settled, three more lawsuits followed with Combs’ alleged behavior spanning from 1991 to 2003. By December 2023, Combs had lost 18 brand deals and taken a step back as Revolt TV’s chairman. The following March, the authorities raided Combs’ homes in Miami and L.A. with an investigation underway. Combs has since been implicated in another assault case with his son Christian. Whatever the verdicts are, Combs will likely spend more time in court than in the recording studio for the foreseeable future.
Danny Masterson
It seemed like Danny Masterson would be forever remembered as the guy who played Hyde on “That '70s Show.” Since 2017, the actor has been primarily known for more notorious reasons, casting a dark shadow over the sitcom’s legacy. The assault accusations against Masterson not only shined a light on the widespread history of abuse in Hollywood, but also on the Church of Scientology’s reputation for allegedly sweeping scandals under the rug. Once that rug is lifted, the mess is difficult to overlook. Following a lengthy legal battle, Masterson was found guilty in 2023, receiving a sentence that could keep him behind bars for anywhere between 25½ years and life. Even if Masterson is released before turning 75, his career appears deader than disco.
R. Kelly
Sometimes it takes a documentary to get the wheels of justice moving. “Surviving R. Kelly” marked the beginning of the end for the infamous singer, but his reputation had been shrouded in shame for nearly two decades. From his illegal marriage to the underage Aaliyah, to the assault accusations brought forward by the underage Tiffany Hawkins, to a leaked video allegedly depicting him doing the unspeakable to another underage victim, it seemed like there was no controversy Kelly couldn’t bury in the closet. The industry repeatedly turned a blind eye until the 2019 documentary debuted, motivating RCA Records to drop Kelly. The law also reevaluated Kelly, who has since been convicted on multiple charges, including abuse, resulting in a combined sentence of 31 years.
Harvey Weinstein
For decades, Harvey Weinstein was among Hollywood’s most powerful and feared producers. By 2015, though, The Weinstein Company was on shaky financial ground with the studio’s Oscar wins also declining. It’s probably not a coincidence that it was around this time Hollywood stopped ignoring the elephant in the room. Between The New York Times and The New Yorker, Weinstein’s years of abuse became public knowledge in October 2017. Losing his company and Academy membership, Weinstein soon found himself at the center of multiple trials and serving prison time. Many have ruined their reputations throughout the MeToo movement, but the fact that this former movie mogul provided the Weinstein effect’s namesake is a testament to how far his misconduct reached.
Bill Cosby
Like Weinstein, the allegations against Bill Cosby were something of an open secret for years. Yet, people seemed in denial that “America’s Dad” and the spokesman for such wholesome products like Pudding Pops could be a monster. After another swarm of accusations hit in 2014, though, the public’s perception of Cosby was shattered for good. This culminated with a guilty verdict in 2018, although Cosby only served roughly three years. Since his release, Cosby has expressed interest in staging a tour, saying in 2022, “When I come out of this, I feel that I will be able to perform and be the Bill Cosby that my audience knows me to be.” The Bill Cosby that audiences now know is vastly different than Cliff Huxtable, however.
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