50 Career Finishing Scandals
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VOICE OVER: Kirsten Ria Squibb
From Hollywood legends to music icons, we're diving into the most shocking career-ending scandals that brought down some of the biggest names in entertainment. Prepare for a wild ride through the most infamous downfalls that shocked the world and destroyed reputations forever. Our countdown includes shocking stories of celebrities like Bill Cosby, Harvey Weinstein, R. Kelly, and many more who saw their careers crumble due to serious allegations and controversial actions. Which career finishings candal do you think is the most shocking? Share in the comments.
NOTE TO VO ARTIST: Pls voice everything in blue, and don’t forget the line after #1 and the update to the Diddy entry!
50 Career Finishing Scandals
Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’re looking at the most famous scandals that brought down celebrities.
Fatty Arbuckle
A wildly popular comedian in the early Hollywood era, Fatty Arbuckle starred in a number of silent films and helped usher in the concept of movie stars. He signed a monumental contract with Paramount in 1920 worth $1 million a year, but just one year later his career came crashing down. A model named Virginia Rappe[a] died after attending a party hosted by Arbuckle, and rumors quickly spread that the silent film star had sexually assaulted Rappe during the party, leading to fatal injuries. He was put on trial three separate times for her death, and he was ultimately acquitted of all charges. Despite the acquittal, his films were briefly banned, and the scandal brought a swift end to his pioneering career.
Katherine Heigl[b]
Despite starring in “Grey’s Anatomy” and a number of popular films, Katherine Heigl made a series of PR missteps that severely affected her burgeoning career. She openly criticized “Knocked Up,” despite it being her most popular film, calling it sexist and upsetting both Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow. It was also around this time that Heigl withdrew her name from Emmy consideration, stating she didn’t feel the writing for her character warranted acclaim. This was seen as a passive attack on the show’s writers and created tension with its creator, Shonda Rhimes, and Heigl was ultimately released from her contract. Her once-promising trajectory as a romcom queen and TV star cooled significantly and never warmed back up.
Allison Mack
Even though she’s out of prison, we don’t see Allison Mack returning to the screen any time soon. Helping to run a cult will do that to one’s career. Mack made herself a great career on television, starring in both “Smallville” and “Wilfred,” but it all ended when she got caught up with the cult NXIVM[c]. The former actress was a high-ranking member in the organization and played a key role in recruiting outside women. Mack coerced newcomers into providing damaging personal information and collateral to ensure their obedience, and she even branded them with the initials of the cult’s founder, Keith Raniere[d]. She was ultimately arrested in 2018 on charges of trafficking and forced labor and spent 21 months in prison.
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Despite being one of the most prominent names in baseball history, Shoeless Joe Jackson is not in the Hall of Fame, and he likely never will be. It’s all thanks to the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were caught working with a gambling syndicate and intentionally threw the World Series, losing to the Cincinnati Reds. They each received a small payment from the syndicate, but it was really a price to pay for their tarnished legacies. The integrity of baseball was ruined, so in order to bolster public sentiment and revive interest in the sport, Commissioner Kenesaw Landis[e] banned all eight players. Despite his reputation as an excellent hitter, Shoeless Joe never played again.
Ellen DeGeneres
It’s amazing how fast careers can end. Despite being a legend of television, Ellen DeGeneres faced a public onslaught in the summer of 2020 after it was found that she harbored a toxic workplace environment. Reports from employees claimed there was constant mistreatment on the set of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” including racism and sexual misconduct by senior staff. While DeGeneres herself was not directly accused of harassment, many criticized her for fostering a culture of abuse - and one that directly contradicted her show’s "be kind" message. DeGeneres tried soldiering through the scandal, but it didn’t work. Her show quickly came to an end and she retired to England in 2024.
Russell Brand
This comedian was uber successful in the late 2000s and early 2010s, known for his movies, radio show, and fast-talking schtick. But like many male celebrities, he was eventually brought down thanks to his salacious behavior. In September 2023, multiple women accused Brand of sexual assault and abusive behavior, with the incidents dating all the way back to 2003. For his part, Brand has denied all of the allegations, stating that his relationships were consensual and suggesting that the accusations are part of a coordinated effort to silence him due to his outspoken views. Regardless, the scandal led to significant public backlash and the cancellation of his popular podcast “Under the Skin.”
Janet Jackson
One of the most notorious scandals in entertainment history belongs to Janet Jackson, even though it was through no fault of her own. Jackson was performing at the Super Bowl XXXVIII [f]halftime show with a number of other artists, including Justin Timberlake. Everyone knows what happens next. In the final seconds of the show, an infamous “wardrobe malfunction” occurred, exposing Jackson to everyone watching at home. The resulting fallout was historic, and unfortunately, Jackson bore much of the blame. She was effectively blacklisted from the entertainment industry, and her career took an irreversible hit. Luckily, steps have been made in recent years to restore her tarnished reputation.
Gina Carano[g]
She was once “the face of women’s MMA” and later established herself in the “Star Wars” universe with “The Mandalorian.” Gina Carano had it made in the shade. And she ruined it with some ignorant posts on social media. Whether it was downplaying COVID and questioning mask mandates, aligning with far-right narratives about election fraud, or mocking the transgender community, Carano’s posts received an onslaught of criticism. But the final straw for many came in February 2021, when Carano shared a post on Instagram comparing the treatment of American conservatives to the persecution of Jews in the Holocaust. She was fired by Lucasfilm and lost all mainstream support but became a prominent figure in conservative circles.
Vince McMahon[h]
Perhaps the biggest name in wrestling history, Vince McMahon is credited with bringing the sport to the mainstream, creating the wildly popular WrestleMania, and even becoming a WWE Champion through his villainous character Mr. McMahon. But in mid 2022, reports emerged that McMahon had paid millions of dollars in hush money to multiple employees in order to cover up alleged cases of sexual misconduct and affairs. The scandal worsened in January 2024, when former employee Janel Grant accused McMahon of sex trafficking and forcing her to sign a non-disclosure agreement. McMahon resigned as chairman of TKO Group Holdings and is currently under federal investigation.
Jeffrey Tambor
A veteran of the small screen, Jeffrey Tambor has long drawn both popularity and acclaim, and in the 2010s he earned two Emmys for playing Maura Pfefferman[i] on Amazon’s groundbreaking “Transparent[j].” But in November of 2017, Tambor was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, including a makeup artist and his former assistant. Tambor quit the show that was making him a household celebrity, and while he defended himself against the misconduct allegations, he did admit that he suffers from anger issues. While no criminal charges were brought against Tambor, the accusations effectively killed his career, and he has not been seen on TV since.
Louis C.K.[k]
One of the biggest downfalls of the #MeToo era belongs to Louis C.K., who at the time was one of the world’s biggest comedians. In November of 2017, The New York Times dropped a bombshell, reporting that Louis C.K. had engaged in acts of inappropriate behavior with at least five different women. Unlike some other celebrities who went down in the era, C.K. admitted everything, stating that he “wielded [his] power irresponsibly.” His burgeoning career disappeared overnight, with many networks cancelling his projects and his manager firing him as a client. The comedian has attempted a comeback in recent years, including a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden in 2023, but his popularity is nowhere near what it once was.
T.J. Miller
This was a very fast rise and fall, occurring within the span of just a few years. Following a number of supporting roles, T.J. Miller became a household name in 2014 after starring in “Silicon Valley.” And just three years later, he was being accused of sexual assault. The story dates back to 2001, when Miller was attending university and allegedly became violent during a sexual encounter. As a result of the accusations, Miller was fired from “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.” Just a few months later, he was arrested after getting intoxicated on a train and placing a fake bomb threat. Both events were enough to kill his career, and he hasn’t acted in any capacity since 2020.
CeeLo Green
Just as his solo career was taking off, CeeLo Green was brought back down to Earth thanks to an infamous sexual battery scandal. In October of 2012, a woman accused Green of drugging her with ecstasy during a dinner in Los Angeles, alleging that she woke up in his bed with no memory of what had happened the night before. He was sentenced to three years of probation after pleading no contest to the felony of furnishing ecstasy. However, the situation escalated when Green made a series of troubling tweets about consent, implying that it wasn’t possible to be assaulted if someone was unconscious. These nonsensical comments sparked widespread backlash, and Green’s career has not been the same since.
Charlie Rose
One of the most prominent journalists of the 20th century, Charlie Rose was long employed by PBS, with his eponymous talk show attracting widespread acclaim for its complex topics and intellectualism. Rose was a great interviewer, and his show attracted the best and brightest minds in the world. But he was yet another target of #MeToo, and in November 2017, several women accused the renowned host of sexual misconduct. The incidents, including lewd phone calls, groping, and unwanted sexual advances, reportedly occurred over decades. The allegations were scathing and resulted in Rose’s termination from both PBS and CBS, effectively ending his broadcasting career.
Marilyn Manson
This shock rocker has long attracted controversy for his image and music, but it wasn’t his performance art that ultimately brought him down. It was, once again, accusations of sexual misconduct. In 2021, Manson was accused of sexual abuse by his former girlfriend Evan Rachel Wood, and multiple others came forth with similar claims. Five separate women ultimately sued Manson in civil court, leading to a years-long criminal investigation that ended in no charges being filed against the singer. Despite Manson’s acquittal, the accusations did significant damage to both his personal reputation and career.
Tonya Harding
This American figure skater was on the cusp of greatness - in 1991 alone she won the U.S. Championships and was runner-up in the World Championships in Munich. She defeated Nancy Kerrigan in the latter competition, who took home the bronze. But Harding feared what Kerrigan was capable of and considered her her closest competitor. In January of 1994, Kerrigan was attacked by a man named Shane Stant. The attack was eventually traced back to Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly[l], who hoped to take Kerrigan out of the upcoming Winter Olympics. Harding later admitted to covering up the attack and was banned from figure skating, bringing a startling end to her promising career.
Ian Watkins
A mildly successful rock band from the 2000s, Lostprophets enjoyed two top ten singles on the UK chart, including what is probably their most famous song, “Last Train Home.” The group released five albums between 2000 and 2012, but they disbanded in 2013 following the horrific accusations against lead singer Ian Watkins. Watkins was charged with a number of disgusting offenses we won’t get into here, and his bandmates broke away and started a new group called No Devotion. How fitting. As for Watkins, he was sentenced to 29 years in prison and will be eligible for parole in 2031.
Oscar Pistorius
An accomplished sprinter, Oscar Pistorius was the winner of six Paralympic gold medals, winning one in Athens, three in Beijing, and two in London. The latter Paralympics ended on September 9, 2012, and his career came to an abrupt and violent end just five months later. On February 14, 2013, Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, supposedly after mistaking her for an intruder. This kickstarted a years-long criminal procedure involving multiple sentences and appeals, and it finally ended with Pistorius getting fifteen years in prison. He ultimately served eight and a half and was released in January of 2024. Regardless, his sporting career is unequivocally over.
Gary Glitter
The law has followed Gary Glitter ever since he first got into trouble in the late 1990s. Probably best known for his song “Rock and Roll Part 2,” Gary Glitter had a successful career throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. However, he was imprisoned in 1999 for downloading illicit material, and neither his life nor his career have been the same since. A number of serious charges followed that initial conviction, all of them involving horrific sexual offenses. And these charges have followed him all around the world, from Cambodia to Vietnam and back to his home country of England. He is currently serving a sixteen year sentence, which he received in 2015 following charges of indecent and unlawful sexual assault.
O.J. Simpson
While his football career had long been over, O.J. Simpson was still in the public spotlight in 1994. He was working as a football analyst for NBC, he owned hotels and restaurants, and perhaps most substantially, he was trying his hand at acting, having just appeared in all three “Naked Gun” films. Of course, all of this went out the window when he was charged with murdering Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman. The trial, while enormously popular and unprecedented in scale, was an effective end to his career. It didn’t matter if he was guilty or not - it was all over after this. Of course, it didn’t help that the trial ended the way it did.
Sean “Diddy” Combs
Throughout his lengthy career, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has faced several legal issues ranging from physical assault to weapons violations and sexual harassment. Surprisingly, none of these cases significantly affected his career, until 2023. In November of that year, Combs’ former partner, singer and actress Cassie, filed a lawsuit alleging sexual assault, sex trafficking and domestic violence during their decade-long relationship. Although Combs denied the allegations through his attorney, he swiftly reached a settlement with Cassie, the day after the lawsuit was filed. In the subsequent weeks, additional sexual assault lawsuits emerged, including one involving a minor. These allegations effectively tarnished his legacy forever and left him facing serious prison time.
Justin Roiland
Though not the most recognizable celebrity, Justin Roiland gained fame as the co-creator of the popular Adult Swim series “Rick and Morty”. However, his career took a hit in January 2023 when it was reported that he was charged with felony domestic battery and false imprisonment for a 2020 incident involving his then-girlfriend. This triggered a cascade of allegations against Roiland, ranging from predatory behavior towards minors to sexual harassment in the workplace. In the wake of these allegations, Adult Swim and other companies affiliated with Roiland severed ties with him. Although Roiland’s criminal charges were dismissed in March due to insufficient evidence, fresh accusations against him had emerged by September. He, however, denied the claims through his attorney.
Isaiah Washington
Hollywood actor Isaiah Washington is mostly known for one role and one role only: Dr. Preston Burke on “Grey’s Anatomy”. This is because after Washington was fired from the show, his career took a nosedive and never recovered. Washington’s dismissal stemmed from an on-set incident in which he called his co-star, T. R. Knight, a homophobic slur. Then, after the matter became public, Washington was questioned about it at the Golden Globes, and went on to repeat the same slur. A few months later, he was let go from the series. The media attention around the incident essentially forced Knight, who reportedly hadn’t even disclosed his sexual orientation to his family yet, to come out publicly.
Ryan Lochte
You know your career is in jeopardy when a scandal adds the infamous “-gate” suffix to your name. The incident now known as Lochtegate unfolded during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, involving U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte and three teammates. Lochte initially claimed that they were robbed at a gas station by armed individuals impersonating police officers. However, Brazilian authorities conducted an investigation and found no evidence of such robbery. Instead, they determined that the swimmers had vandalized the gas station and were made to pay for the damages by the security guards. Lochte later publicly apologized, admitting that he had exaggerated the incident. Consequently, he was suspended for 10 months by USA Swimming and lost all of his major sponsorships.
Amber Heard
Although the marriage between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp was brief, it triggered a series of events that would ultimately ruin Heard’s career. During their 2016 divorce proceedings, Heard accused Depp of domestic violence, a claim she appeared to reiterate in a 2018 article. As a result, Depp sued Heard for defamation, claiming that he was the actual victim of domestic violence. Heard countersued Depp, resulting in a trial that was widely watched and received extensive social media coverage, most of which was critical towards her. Ultimately, the jury dismissed all but one of Heard’s claims and ruled that she had defamed Depp. This portrayed her as dishonest in the public eye and effectively tarnished her reputation in Hollywood.
Jonathan Majors
Ever since his screen debut in 2017, Jonathan Majors had been on a steady rise in Hollywood. In 2023, he began portraying Kang the Conqueror in the MCU, a character expected to play a central role in the franchise’s sixth phase. However, that March, Majors faced a series of charges including assault and aggravated harassment, stemming from an incident with his then-girlfriend. Subsequently, multiple individuals came forward alleging that he had also assaulted them. The consequences followed swiftly. Majors was dropped by his management company and PR firm, and his film “Magazine Dreams” was removed from Disney’s release schedule. A criminal trial for the assault charges began in November 2023, finding Majors guilty of misdemeanor assault and harassment. Marvel dropped him from future productions.
Michael Vick
Once the highest-paid NFL player, Michael Vick enjoyed great success as a star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. However, in 2007, his career took a hit when it was revealed that he had operated a venture called Bad Newz Kennels, which organized illegal dog fights. Authorities searched Vick’s property in Surry County, Virginia and discovered disturbing evidence of animal cruelty. Consequently, Vick pleaded guilty to federal and state charges related to running the dog fighting ring, resulting in a 23-month sentence in federal prison. The scandal prompted the NFL to indefinitely suspend Vick and led to the loss of multiple sponsorship deals. Although he eventually made a comeback, this incident remains a significant stain on Vick’s once pristine career.
Milli Vanilli
For a short period in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, German-French duo Milli Vanilli were one of the biggest acts in pop music. They toured the world on the back of their hit debut album, released in the U.S. as “Girl You Know It's True,” and won the Grammy for Best New Artist. But their newfound fame vanished almost as quickly as it emerged when it was revealed that the two didn’t sing on any of their album’s tracks. Instead, their producer Frank Farian had hired other vocalists to perform the songs, while Milli Vanilli only lip-synced. As a result, the duo were forced to return their Grammy to the Recording Academy, and were dropped by their label, Arista Records.
Jeffrey Jones
With roles in iconic ‘80s movies like “Ferris Bueller's Day Off” and “Beetlejuice,” Jeffrey Jones became one of the most revered character actors in Hollywood. His career continued to blossom throughout the ‘90s, but came to a screeching halt in 2002 when he made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Jones had been indicted for possession of explicit photographs involving a minor and pleaded no contest to the charges. Although he received no jail time, he was sentenced to five years probation and made to register as a sex offender. Since then, Jones has managed a few film and TV appearances, but his career has never remained the same.
Pete Rose
As a Major League Baseball player, Pete Rose was outstanding. Among his plethora of accolades, Rose won Rookie of the Year, MVP and three World Series rings. Following a phenomenal career as a player, Rose began managing the Cincinnati Reds, the same team with which he got his professional start. In 1988, evidence surfaced showing that Rose had bet on baseball games, including those of his own team, the Reds. Although he initially denied the claims, Rose agreed to a lifetime ban from the sport, eventually ruling himself ineligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame. After years of repeated denials, Rose published an autobiography in 2004, in which he publicly admitted to the gambling allegations.
Danny Masterson
After rising to prominence on the Fox comedy series “That ’70s Show,” Danny Masterson further established himself with roles in other sitcoms like “Men at Work” and “The Ranch”. Controversy erupted in 2017, however, when Masterson was accused of sexual assault by four women. This led Netflix to fire him from “The Ranch”. The women claimed that Masterson assaulted them during their time in the Church of Scientology, of which he was also a member. Additionally, they alleged that other church members harassed them after they came forward with their allegations. Despite vehemently denying the accusations, Masterson was charged with three counts of sexual assault and ultimately convicted of two. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
Anthony Weiner
Former New York congressman Anthony Weiner earned national attention in 2010 after giving an impassioned speech on the House floor. About a year later, he found himself in the headlines again, this time for sending lewd photos of himself to a woman on Twitter, who was not his wife. The ensuing controversy resulted in him resigning from Congress in June of 2011. Following an absence from the spotlight, Weiner resurfaced in 2013, announcing a bid for Mayor of New York City. But yet again, allegations of even more sexting ran his campaign to the ground. In 2017, Weiner faced criminal charges after it was revealed that he had exchanged explicit material with a minor. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison.
Kevin Spacey
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey was at the peak of his career in 2017 when he experienced a dramatic downfall. It all began with actor Anthony Rapp accusing Spacey of sexually assaulting him when he was a minor. In response, Spacey publicly apologized to Rapp, then inexplicably decided to use the opportunity to come out as gay, a move that was met with swift backlash. Rapp’s claims were followed by a wave of other allegations, resulting in Spacey being fired from “House of Cards,” dropped by his publicist and talent agency, and quite literally scrubbed out of a film. Spacey faced multiple criminal sexual assault charges in both the U.S. and UK, but was ultimately cleared of all of them.
Michael Richards
As Cosmo Kramer on “Seinfeld,” Michael Richards was beloved by millions of fans who, for years, closely associated him with the eccentric but lovable character. In 2006, that perception changed drastically when a recording of Richards’ set at the Laugh Factory was released by TMZ. In the clip, Richards bursts into an expletive-riddled racist rant after he is heckled by some members of the audience. Days later, Richards made a virtual appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” in which he publicly apologized for his remarks. Many, including one of the affected audience members, were unconvinced by this apology. In 2007, Richards announced he was dropping his mic and retiring from stand-up comedy.
Mark Salling
Mark Salling rose to prominence playing football star and bad boy Noah Puckerman on the Fox musical series “Glee.” Salling lost significant favor in December 2015, when he was arrested based on the suspicion that he possessed many explicit pictures and videos involving minors. This suspicion was later confirmed after police discovered the unsavory material on his computer and flash drives. He was brought up on criminal charges the following May and eventually pleaded guilty to the crime. In light of the scandal, the actor was fired from an upcoming project with filmmaker Adi Shankar. While awaiting sentencing, Salling took his own life in January of 2018.
Paula Deen
The one celebrity chef famous for her traditional, Southern recipes, Paula Deen led a successful cooking empire, with multiple restaurants and TV shows. This empire began to crumble, however, when a former employee sued Deen for discrimination. The lawsuit brought with it a deposition, during which Deen admitted to having used racial slurs in the past. Once the transcript found its way to the public in 2013, Deen released multiple tearful apologies, pleading for forgiveness. That did little to stop her from losing several sponsors, and her contract with the Food Network. Since then, the Georgia chef has attempted a comeback, opening even more restaurants and launching her own online food channel. However, she has yet to attain the same level of success.
Jared Fogle
Beginning in the early 2000s, Jared Fogle became a spokesman for Subway restaurants after claiming that their meals played a part in his rapid weight loss. Fogle began appearing in a series of commercials for the company and reportedly contributed to significant growth in Subway’s sales. Things took a shocking turn in 2015, however, when Fogle’s home was raided and he was arrested as a result of a lengthy FBI investigation. Apparently, Fogle had engaged in inappropriate relationships with minors and distributed obscene material involving youth. He pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges and was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison.
Stephen Collins
For more than a decade, Stephen Collins led the TV series “7th Heaven,” starring as Protestant minister Eric Camden. He made a number of appearances in films and TV shows afterwards, only to completely disappear from the screen in 2014. Collins had been embroiled in controversy that year when a tape recording leaked featuring a man, who sounded like the actor, admitting to assaulting a minor in the past. He eventually confessed to the crime, disclosing that he had engaged in “inappropriate sexual conduct with three female minors” in 1973, 1982 and 1994. Although he evaded prosecution reportedly due to the statute of limitations, Collins was fired from multiple Hollywood projects and has stayed away from the spotlight ever since.
Lance Armstrong
Once widely regarded as one of the greatest cyclists of all time, Lance Armstrong brought global attention to the sport. Armstrong won seven consecutive Tour de France titles, a feat made more impressive by the fact that he had beat cancer a few years prior. Despite all of that acclaim, Armstrong faced allegations of doping for years, which he continuously denied. It all came to a head in 2012, when the United States Anti-Doping Agency found him guilty of not only taking enhancement drugs, but also of running a doping syndicate. Armstrong was stripped of all his titles and received a lifetime ban from all sports under the World Anti-Doping Code.
Armie Hammer
This actor was on the rise throughout the 2010s, starring in “The Lone Ranger” and “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” before earning critical acclaim as Oliver in “Call Me by Your Name.” But everything collapsed in January of 2021. It was then that text messages that revealed Hammer’s violent fantasies were made public. Other women also came forward with additional allegations, and the woman who leaked the original texts accused Hammer of sexually assaulting her in 2017. The actor dropped out or was fired from a string of projects and moved to the Cayman Islands, where he reportedly worked as a timeshare salesman. In 2023, the Los Angeles DA declined to charge him criminally due to insufficient evidence.
Charlie Sheen
This actor enjoyed decades of success, with his mainstream popularity spanning back to the late ‘80s. However, he underwent a very public downfall throughout the 2010s, owing mainly to his problems with substance use. Following a stint in rehab, Sheen was fired from “Two and a Half Men” for making offensive comments about his boss, Chuck Lorre. The termination resulted in a lot of publicity for the actor, as did his increasingly erratic behavior. He rode this publicity and found consistent work, including an FX sitcom called “Anger Management” that ran for 100 episodes. However, Sheen’s star has undeniably faded, and he has only had minimal work in TV or film since 2017.
Matt Lauer
One of the most prominent American newsmen, Matt Lauer found great success co-hosting the NBC program “Today.” He lasted 20 years on the show, with his tenure spanning from 1997 to 2017. It was in that year that a fellow NBC employee reported that Lauer had repeatedly harassed her. Many other allegations were reported throughout the following years, and according to journalist Ronan Farrow, NBC was fully aware of Lauer’s predatory behavior. They only acted following the public accusation and fired Lauer in November 2017. Lauer and his wife divorced in 2019, and Lauer has reportedly spent his time writing a tell-all book.
Roseanne Barr
There once was a time when Roseanne Barr was the hottest name in television. Her eponymous sitcom was a huge success throughout the late ‘80s and ‘90s, running for ten seasons and earning Barr an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy. The show was revived in 2018, but it only lasted one season before Barr’s controversial actions got it canceled. On May 29 of that year, Barr wrote a racist tweet aimed at former White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett. The reaction was swift and severe, with ABC canceling the show that same day. A spin-off titled “The Conners” was made without Barr, and she disappeared from the television landscape.
Bill O’Reilly
One of the most popular conservative commentators, Bill O'Reilly was known for hosting “The O'Reilly Factor” on Fox News, which ran for 21 seasons between 1996 and 2017. While the program was an enormous success in the ratings, it came to a sudden end once settlements against O’Reilly were made known. The New York Times broke a story and revealed that O’Reilly had been the target of five sexual harassment lawsuits. Both he and Fox News paid millions in settlements to keep them under wraps. Advertisers dropped their support for “The O'Reilly Factor” once the news was made public, and Fox fired their most popular host. He then started hosting a podcast called “No Spin News.”
Jussie Smollett
Beginning in 2015, ex-child star Jussie Smollett began starring as Jamal Lyon on Fox’s “Empire.” The show was an immediate success, garnering several Emmy nominations and being named one of the ten best shows of the year by the American Film Institute. In January 2019, Smollett fabricated a fake hate crime and was later sued by the city of Chicago. They filed a lawsuit hoping to reclaim over $130,000 that they had spent fruitlessly investigating Smollett’s tall tale. He was also fired from “Empire” and hasn’t appeared on TV since. In December of 2021, Smollett was found guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct and sentenced to 150 days in county jail.
Kanye West
Ever since making his debut as a recording artist in the early 2000s, Kanye West became one of the most influential figures of the 21st century, in hip-hop and fashion. Throughout his career, West has been at the center of controversy more than just a handful of times, but perhaps the most consequential came in 2022. The rapper was first criticized for wearing a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt at the Paris Fashion Week. Soon after, he tweeted anti-Semitic remarks when he was locked out of his Instagram account. West faced immediate backlash, resulting in the loss of his billionaire status and multiple business partnerships with companies like Balenciaga, Gap and Adidas. While West is said to have mental issues, it’s clear his career will likely never be the same.
Phil Spector
Throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, Phil Spector was a highly sought after music producer, having worked with acts like the Beatles, the Righteous Brothers, and Ike & Tina Turner. Over the next few decades, he retreated from the spotlight, only to make headlines in 2003 for all the wrong reasons. On February 3rd of that year, Spector fatally shot actress Lana Clarkson in his Alhambra, California home. This led to murder charges, and in 2007, he faced a trial that ended in a mistrial. A second trial commenced the following year, ultimately resulting in his conviction and a prison sentence of 19 years to life. In January 2021, while serving his sentence, Spector died, reportedly from complications of COVID-19.
R. Kelly
A huge star of the ‘90s, R. Kelly is a multi-Grammy winner who has sold over 75 million records. However, he was also repeatedly accused of sexual misconduct and assault by multiple individuals. Kelly managed to evade consequences for this behavior for decades, until the release of the 2019 Lifetime documentary “Surviving R. Kelly,” which chronicled his history of allegations. Following its release, the singer was dropped by RCA Records and charged with new crimes. He was found guilty of racketeering and of violating the Mann Act, which concerns the transportation of women for illicit activities. Kelly faced another trial in the state of Illinois and was found guilty, bringing his total prison sentence to 31 years.
Harvey Weinstein
This man was once a powerful figure in Hollywood. The co-founder of both Miramax and The Weinstein Company, Harvey Weinstein is the Oscar and Tony-winning producer behind works like “Pulp Fiction,” “Good Will Hunting,” and “Shakespeare in Love.” However, behind the scenes, he used his power and influence to sexually harass and assault women. Things came to a head in October of 2017, when The New York Times and The New Yorker reported over a dozen allegations against him, sparking the #MeToo movement. In total, over 80 women came forth accusing Weinstein of harassment and/or assault, including popular actress Rose McGowan. Weinstein was charged and found guilty of two felonies, and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Bill Cosby
While he had been a successful comedian since the ‘60s, Bill Cosby is mostly remembered for starring as Cliff Huxtable in the enormously popular “The Cosby Show.” He gained a reputation as “America's Dad” throughout the 1980s, but this changed dramatically in the 2010s. After comedian Hannibal Buress drew attention to allegations against Cosby in 2014, numerous women came forward with further accusations of sexual assault, dating all the way back to the mid ‘60s. On September 25, 2018, Cosby was sentenced to prison for aggravated indecent assault. He remained behind bars for nearly three years, but his conviction was overturned on June 30, 2021. While Cosby was released from prison, his career is effectively over.
Can you think of any other examples? Let us know in the comments below!
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50 Career Finishing Scandals
Welcome to WatchMojo and today we’re looking at the most famous scandals that brought down celebrities.
Fatty Arbuckle
A wildly popular comedian in the early Hollywood era, Fatty Arbuckle starred in a number of silent films and helped usher in the concept of movie stars. He signed a monumental contract with Paramount in 1920 worth $1 million a year, but just one year later his career came crashing down. A model named Virginia Rappe[a] died after attending a party hosted by Arbuckle, and rumors quickly spread that the silent film star had sexually assaulted Rappe during the party, leading to fatal injuries. He was put on trial three separate times for her death, and he was ultimately acquitted of all charges. Despite the acquittal, his films were briefly banned, and the scandal brought a swift end to his pioneering career.
Katherine Heigl[b]
Despite starring in “Grey’s Anatomy” and a number of popular films, Katherine Heigl made a series of PR missteps that severely affected her burgeoning career. She openly criticized “Knocked Up,” despite it being her most popular film, calling it sexist and upsetting both Seth Rogen and Judd Apatow. It was also around this time that Heigl withdrew her name from Emmy consideration, stating she didn’t feel the writing for her character warranted acclaim. This was seen as a passive attack on the show’s writers and created tension with its creator, Shonda Rhimes, and Heigl was ultimately released from her contract. Her once-promising trajectory as a romcom queen and TV star cooled significantly and never warmed back up.
Allison Mack
Even though she’s out of prison, we don’t see Allison Mack returning to the screen any time soon. Helping to run a cult will do that to one’s career. Mack made herself a great career on television, starring in both “Smallville” and “Wilfred,” but it all ended when she got caught up with the cult NXIVM[c]. The former actress was a high-ranking member in the organization and played a key role in recruiting outside women. Mack coerced newcomers into providing damaging personal information and collateral to ensure their obedience, and she even branded them with the initials of the cult’s founder, Keith Raniere[d]. She was ultimately arrested in 2018 on charges of trafficking and forced labor and spent 21 months in prison.
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Despite being one of the most prominent names in baseball history, Shoeless Joe Jackson is not in the Hall of Fame, and he likely never will be. It’s all thanks to the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. Eight members of the Chicago White Sox were caught working with a gambling syndicate and intentionally threw the World Series, losing to the Cincinnati Reds. They each received a small payment from the syndicate, but it was really a price to pay for their tarnished legacies. The integrity of baseball was ruined, so in order to bolster public sentiment and revive interest in the sport, Commissioner Kenesaw Landis[e] banned all eight players. Despite his reputation as an excellent hitter, Shoeless Joe never played again.
Ellen DeGeneres
It’s amazing how fast careers can end. Despite being a legend of television, Ellen DeGeneres faced a public onslaught in the summer of 2020 after it was found that she harbored a toxic workplace environment. Reports from employees claimed there was constant mistreatment on the set of “The Ellen DeGeneres Show,” including racism and sexual misconduct by senior staff. While DeGeneres herself was not directly accused of harassment, many criticized her for fostering a culture of abuse - and one that directly contradicted her show’s "be kind" message. DeGeneres tried soldiering through the scandal, but it didn’t work. Her show quickly came to an end and she retired to England in 2024.
Russell Brand
This comedian was uber successful in the late 2000s and early 2010s, known for his movies, radio show, and fast-talking schtick. But like many male celebrities, he was eventually brought down thanks to his salacious behavior. In September 2023, multiple women accused Brand of sexual assault and abusive behavior, with the incidents dating all the way back to 2003. For his part, Brand has denied all of the allegations, stating that his relationships were consensual and suggesting that the accusations are part of a coordinated effort to silence him due to his outspoken views. Regardless, the scandal led to significant public backlash and the cancellation of his popular podcast “Under the Skin.”
Janet Jackson
One of the most notorious scandals in entertainment history belongs to Janet Jackson, even though it was through no fault of her own. Jackson was performing at the Super Bowl XXXVIII [f]halftime show with a number of other artists, including Justin Timberlake. Everyone knows what happens next. In the final seconds of the show, an infamous “wardrobe malfunction” occurred, exposing Jackson to everyone watching at home. The resulting fallout was historic, and unfortunately, Jackson bore much of the blame. She was effectively blacklisted from the entertainment industry, and her career took an irreversible hit. Luckily, steps have been made in recent years to restore her tarnished reputation.
Gina Carano[g]
She was once “the face of women’s MMA” and later established herself in the “Star Wars” universe with “The Mandalorian.” Gina Carano had it made in the shade. And she ruined it with some ignorant posts on social media. Whether it was downplaying COVID and questioning mask mandates, aligning with far-right narratives about election fraud, or mocking the transgender community, Carano’s posts received an onslaught of criticism. But the final straw for many came in February 2021, when Carano shared a post on Instagram comparing the treatment of American conservatives to the persecution of Jews in the Holocaust. She was fired by Lucasfilm and lost all mainstream support but became a prominent figure in conservative circles.
Vince McMahon[h]
Perhaps the biggest name in wrestling history, Vince McMahon is credited with bringing the sport to the mainstream, creating the wildly popular WrestleMania, and even becoming a WWE Champion through his villainous character Mr. McMahon. But in mid 2022, reports emerged that McMahon had paid millions of dollars in hush money to multiple employees in order to cover up alleged cases of sexual misconduct and affairs. The scandal worsened in January 2024, when former employee Janel Grant accused McMahon of sex trafficking and forcing her to sign a non-disclosure agreement. McMahon resigned as chairman of TKO Group Holdings and is currently under federal investigation.
Jeffrey Tambor
A veteran of the small screen, Jeffrey Tambor has long drawn both popularity and acclaim, and in the 2010s he earned two Emmys for playing Maura Pfefferman[i] on Amazon’s groundbreaking “Transparent[j].” But in November of 2017, Tambor was accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women, including a makeup artist and his former assistant. Tambor quit the show that was making him a household celebrity, and while he defended himself against the misconduct allegations, he did admit that he suffers from anger issues. While no criminal charges were brought against Tambor, the accusations effectively killed his career, and he has not been seen on TV since.
Louis C.K.[k]
One of the biggest downfalls of the #MeToo era belongs to Louis C.K., who at the time was one of the world’s biggest comedians. In November of 2017, The New York Times dropped a bombshell, reporting that Louis C.K. had engaged in acts of inappropriate behavior with at least five different women. Unlike some other celebrities who went down in the era, C.K. admitted everything, stating that he “wielded [his] power irresponsibly.” His burgeoning career disappeared overnight, with many networks cancelling his projects and his manager firing him as a client. The comedian has attempted a comeback in recent years, including a sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden in 2023, but his popularity is nowhere near what it once was.
T.J. Miller
This was a very fast rise and fall, occurring within the span of just a few years. Following a number of supporting roles, T.J. Miller became a household name in 2014 after starring in “Silicon Valley.” And just three years later, he was being accused of sexual assault. The story dates back to 2001, when Miller was attending university and allegedly became violent during a sexual encounter. As a result of the accusations, Miller was fired from “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World.” Just a few months later, he was arrested after getting intoxicated on a train and placing a fake bomb threat. Both events were enough to kill his career, and he hasn’t acted in any capacity since 2020.
CeeLo Green
Just as his solo career was taking off, CeeLo Green was brought back down to Earth thanks to an infamous sexual battery scandal. In October of 2012, a woman accused Green of drugging her with ecstasy during a dinner in Los Angeles, alleging that she woke up in his bed with no memory of what had happened the night before. He was sentenced to three years of probation after pleading no contest to the felony of furnishing ecstasy. However, the situation escalated when Green made a series of troubling tweets about consent, implying that it wasn’t possible to be assaulted if someone was unconscious. These nonsensical comments sparked widespread backlash, and Green’s career has not been the same since.
Charlie Rose
One of the most prominent journalists of the 20th century, Charlie Rose was long employed by PBS, with his eponymous talk show attracting widespread acclaim for its complex topics and intellectualism. Rose was a great interviewer, and his show attracted the best and brightest minds in the world. But he was yet another target of #MeToo, and in November 2017, several women accused the renowned host of sexual misconduct. The incidents, including lewd phone calls, groping, and unwanted sexual advances, reportedly occurred over decades. The allegations were scathing and resulted in Rose’s termination from both PBS and CBS, effectively ending his broadcasting career.
Marilyn Manson
This shock rocker has long attracted controversy for his image and music, but it wasn’t his performance art that ultimately brought him down. It was, once again, accusations of sexual misconduct. In 2021, Manson was accused of sexual abuse by his former girlfriend Evan Rachel Wood, and multiple others came forth with similar claims. Five separate women ultimately sued Manson in civil court, leading to a years-long criminal investigation that ended in no charges being filed against the singer. Despite Manson’s acquittal, the accusations did significant damage to both his personal reputation and career.
Tonya Harding
This American figure skater was on the cusp of greatness - in 1991 alone she won the U.S. Championships and was runner-up in the World Championships in Munich. She defeated Nancy Kerrigan in the latter competition, who took home the bronze. But Harding feared what Kerrigan was capable of and considered her her closest competitor. In January of 1994, Kerrigan was attacked by a man named Shane Stant. The attack was eventually traced back to Harding’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly[l], who hoped to take Kerrigan out of the upcoming Winter Olympics. Harding later admitted to covering up the attack and was banned from figure skating, bringing a startling end to her promising career.
Ian Watkins
A mildly successful rock band from the 2000s, Lostprophets enjoyed two top ten singles on the UK chart, including what is probably their most famous song, “Last Train Home.” The group released five albums between 2000 and 2012, but they disbanded in 2013 following the horrific accusations against lead singer Ian Watkins. Watkins was charged with a number of disgusting offenses we won’t get into here, and his bandmates broke away and started a new group called No Devotion. How fitting. As for Watkins, he was sentenced to 29 years in prison and will be eligible for parole in 2031.
Oscar Pistorius
An accomplished sprinter, Oscar Pistorius was the winner of six Paralympic gold medals, winning one in Athens, three in Beijing, and two in London. The latter Paralympics ended on September 9, 2012, and his career came to an abrupt and violent end just five months later. On February 14, 2013, Pistorius shot and killed his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, supposedly after mistaking her for an intruder. This kickstarted a years-long criminal procedure involving multiple sentences and appeals, and it finally ended with Pistorius getting fifteen years in prison. He ultimately served eight and a half and was released in January of 2024. Regardless, his sporting career is unequivocally over.
Gary Glitter
The law has followed Gary Glitter ever since he first got into trouble in the late 1990s. Probably best known for his song “Rock and Roll Part 2,” Gary Glitter had a successful career throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s. However, he was imprisoned in 1999 for downloading illicit material, and neither his life nor his career have been the same since. A number of serious charges followed that initial conviction, all of them involving horrific sexual offenses. And these charges have followed him all around the world, from Cambodia to Vietnam and back to his home country of England. He is currently serving a sixteen year sentence, which he received in 2015 following charges of indecent and unlawful sexual assault.
O.J. Simpson
While his football career had long been over, O.J. Simpson was still in the public spotlight in 1994. He was working as a football analyst for NBC, he owned hotels and restaurants, and perhaps most substantially, he was trying his hand at acting, having just appeared in all three “Naked Gun” films. Of course, all of this went out the window when he was charged with murdering Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman. The trial, while enormously popular and unprecedented in scale, was an effective end to his career. It didn’t matter if he was guilty or not - it was all over after this. Of course, it didn’t help that the trial ended the way it did.
Sean “Diddy” Combs
Throughout his lengthy career, music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has faced several legal issues ranging from physical assault to weapons violations and sexual harassment. Surprisingly, none of these cases significantly affected his career, until 2023. In November of that year, Combs’ former partner, singer and actress Cassie, filed a lawsuit alleging sexual assault, sex trafficking and domestic violence during their decade-long relationship. Although Combs denied the allegations through his attorney, he swiftly reached a settlement with Cassie, the day after the lawsuit was filed. In the subsequent weeks, additional sexual assault lawsuits emerged, including one involving a minor. These allegations effectively tarnished his legacy forever and left him facing serious prison time.
Justin Roiland
Though not the most recognizable celebrity, Justin Roiland gained fame as the co-creator of the popular Adult Swim series “Rick and Morty”. However, his career took a hit in January 2023 when it was reported that he was charged with felony domestic battery and false imprisonment for a 2020 incident involving his then-girlfriend. This triggered a cascade of allegations against Roiland, ranging from predatory behavior towards minors to sexual harassment in the workplace. In the wake of these allegations, Adult Swim and other companies affiliated with Roiland severed ties with him. Although Roiland’s criminal charges were dismissed in March due to insufficient evidence, fresh accusations against him had emerged by September. He, however, denied the claims through his attorney.
Isaiah Washington
Hollywood actor Isaiah Washington is mostly known for one role and one role only: Dr. Preston Burke on “Grey’s Anatomy”. This is because after Washington was fired from the show, his career took a nosedive and never recovered. Washington’s dismissal stemmed from an on-set incident in which he called his co-star, T. R. Knight, a homophobic slur. Then, after the matter became public, Washington was questioned about it at the Golden Globes, and went on to repeat the same slur. A few months later, he was let go from the series. The media attention around the incident essentially forced Knight, who reportedly hadn’t even disclosed his sexual orientation to his family yet, to come out publicly.
Ryan Lochte
You know your career is in jeopardy when a scandal adds the infamous “-gate” suffix to your name. The incident now known as Lochtegate unfolded during the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil, involving U.S. swimmer Ryan Lochte and three teammates. Lochte initially claimed that they were robbed at a gas station by armed individuals impersonating police officers. However, Brazilian authorities conducted an investigation and found no evidence of such robbery. Instead, they determined that the swimmers had vandalized the gas station and were made to pay for the damages by the security guards. Lochte later publicly apologized, admitting that he had exaggerated the incident. Consequently, he was suspended for 10 months by USA Swimming and lost all of his major sponsorships.
Amber Heard
Although the marriage between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp was brief, it triggered a series of events that would ultimately ruin Heard’s career. During their 2016 divorce proceedings, Heard accused Depp of domestic violence, a claim she appeared to reiterate in a 2018 article. As a result, Depp sued Heard for defamation, claiming that he was the actual victim of domestic violence. Heard countersued Depp, resulting in a trial that was widely watched and received extensive social media coverage, most of which was critical towards her. Ultimately, the jury dismissed all but one of Heard’s claims and ruled that she had defamed Depp. This portrayed her as dishonest in the public eye and effectively tarnished her reputation in Hollywood.
Jonathan Majors
Ever since his screen debut in 2017, Jonathan Majors had been on a steady rise in Hollywood. In 2023, he began portraying Kang the Conqueror in the MCU, a character expected to play a central role in the franchise’s sixth phase. However, that March, Majors faced a series of charges including assault and aggravated harassment, stemming from an incident with his then-girlfriend. Subsequently, multiple individuals came forward alleging that he had also assaulted them. The consequences followed swiftly. Majors was dropped by his management company and PR firm, and his film “Magazine Dreams” was removed from Disney’s release schedule. A criminal trial for the assault charges began in November 2023, finding Majors guilty of misdemeanor assault and harassment. Marvel dropped him from future productions.
Michael Vick
Once the highest-paid NFL player, Michael Vick enjoyed great success as a star quarterback for the Atlanta Falcons. However, in 2007, his career took a hit when it was revealed that he had operated a venture called Bad Newz Kennels, which organized illegal dog fights. Authorities searched Vick’s property in Surry County, Virginia and discovered disturbing evidence of animal cruelty. Consequently, Vick pleaded guilty to federal and state charges related to running the dog fighting ring, resulting in a 23-month sentence in federal prison. The scandal prompted the NFL to indefinitely suspend Vick and led to the loss of multiple sponsorship deals. Although he eventually made a comeback, this incident remains a significant stain on Vick’s once pristine career.
Milli Vanilli
For a short period in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, German-French duo Milli Vanilli were one of the biggest acts in pop music. They toured the world on the back of their hit debut album, released in the U.S. as “Girl You Know It's True,” and won the Grammy for Best New Artist. But their newfound fame vanished almost as quickly as it emerged when it was revealed that the two didn’t sing on any of their album’s tracks. Instead, their producer Frank Farian had hired other vocalists to perform the songs, while Milli Vanilli only lip-synced. As a result, the duo were forced to return their Grammy to the Recording Academy, and were dropped by their label, Arista Records.
Jeffrey Jones
With roles in iconic ‘80s movies like “Ferris Bueller's Day Off” and “Beetlejuice,” Jeffrey Jones became one of the most revered character actors in Hollywood. His career continued to blossom throughout the ‘90s, but came to a screeching halt in 2002 when he made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Jones had been indicted for possession of explicit photographs involving a minor and pleaded no contest to the charges. Although he received no jail time, he was sentenced to five years probation and made to register as a sex offender. Since then, Jones has managed a few film and TV appearances, but his career has never remained the same.
Pete Rose
As a Major League Baseball player, Pete Rose was outstanding. Among his plethora of accolades, Rose won Rookie of the Year, MVP and three World Series rings. Following a phenomenal career as a player, Rose began managing the Cincinnati Reds, the same team with which he got his professional start. In 1988, evidence surfaced showing that Rose had bet on baseball games, including those of his own team, the Reds. Although he initially denied the claims, Rose agreed to a lifetime ban from the sport, eventually ruling himself ineligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame. After years of repeated denials, Rose published an autobiography in 2004, in which he publicly admitted to the gambling allegations.
Danny Masterson
After rising to prominence on the Fox comedy series “That ’70s Show,” Danny Masterson further established himself with roles in other sitcoms like “Men at Work” and “The Ranch”. Controversy erupted in 2017, however, when Masterson was accused of sexual assault by four women. This led Netflix to fire him from “The Ranch”. The women claimed that Masterson assaulted them during their time in the Church of Scientology, of which he was also a member. Additionally, they alleged that other church members harassed them after they came forward with their allegations. Despite vehemently denying the accusations, Masterson was charged with three counts of sexual assault and ultimately convicted of two. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in prison.
Anthony Weiner
Former New York congressman Anthony Weiner earned national attention in 2010 after giving an impassioned speech on the House floor. About a year later, he found himself in the headlines again, this time for sending lewd photos of himself to a woman on Twitter, who was not his wife. The ensuing controversy resulted in him resigning from Congress in June of 2011. Following an absence from the spotlight, Weiner resurfaced in 2013, announcing a bid for Mayor of New York City. But yet again, allegations of even more sexting ran his campaign to the ground. In 2017, Weiner faced criminal charges after it was revealed that he had exchanged explicit material with a minor. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison.
Kevin Spacey
Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey was at the peak of his career in 2017 when he experienced a dramatic downfall. It all began with actor Anthony Rapp accusing Spacey of sexually assaulting him when he was a minor. In response, Spacey publicly apologized to Rapp, then inexplicably decided to use the opportunity to come out as gay, a move that was met with swift backlash. Rapp’s claims were followed by a wave of other allegations, resulting in Spacey being fired from “House of Cards,” dropped by his publicist and talent agency, and quite literally scrubbed out of a film. Spacey faced multiple criminal sexual assault charges in both the U.S. and UK, but was ultimately cleared of all of them.
Michael Richards
As Cosmo Kramer on “Seinfeld,” Michael Richards was beloved by millions of fans who, for years, closely associated him with the eccentric but lovable character. In 2006, that perception changed drastically when a recording of Richards’ set at the Laugh Factory was released by TMZ. In the clip, Richards bursts into an expletive-riddled racist rant after he is heckled by some members of the audience. Days later, Richards made a virtual appearance on the “Late Show with David Letterman” in which he publicly apologized for his remarks. Many, including one of the affected audience members, were unconvinced by this apology. In 2007, Richards announced he was dropping his mic and retiring from stand-up comedy.
Mark Salling
Mark Salling rose to prominence playing football star and bad boy Noah Puckerman on the Fox musical series “Glee.” Salling lost significant favor in December 2015, when he was arrested based on the suspicion that he possessed many explicit pictures and videos involving minors. This suspicion was later confirmed after police discovered the unsavory material on his computer and flash drives. He was brought up on criminal charges the following May and eventually pleaded guilty to the crime. In light of the scandal, the actor was fired from an upcoming project with filmmaker Adi Shankar. While awaiting sentencing, Salling took his own life in January of 2018.
Paula Deen
The one celebrity chef famous for her traditional, Southern recipes, Paula Deen led a successful cooking empire, with multiple restaurants and TV shows. This empire began to crumble, however, when a former employee sued Deen for discrimination. The lawsuit brought with it a deposition, during which Deen admitted to having used racial slurs in the past. Once the transcript found its way to the public in 2013, Deen released multiple tearful apologies, pleading for forgiveness. That did little to stop her from losing several sponsors, and her contract with the Food Network. Since then, the Georgia chef has attempted a comeback, opening even more restaurants and launching her own online food channel. However, she has yet to attain the same level of success.
Jared Fogle
Beginning in the early 2000s, Jared Fogle became a spokesman for Subway restaurants after claiming that their meals played a part in his rapid weight loss. Fogle began appearing in a series of commercials for the company and reportedly contributed to significant growth in Subway’s sales. Things took a shocking turn in 2015, however, when Fogle’s home was raided and he was arrested as a result of a lengthy FBI investigation. Apparently, Fogle had engaged in inappropriate relationships with minors and distributed obscene material involving youth. He pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges and was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison.
Stephen Collins
For more than a decade, Stephen Collins led the TV series “7th Heaven,” starring as Protestant minister Eric Camden. He made a number of appearances in films and TV shows afterwards, only to completely disappear from the screen in 2014. Collins had been embroiled in controversy that year when a tape recording leaked featuring a man, who sounded like the actor, admitting to assaulting a minor in the past. He eventually confessed to the crime, disclosing that he had engaged in “inappropriate sexual conduct with three female minors” in 1973, 1982 and 1994. Although he evaded prosecution reportedly due to the statute of limitations, Collins was fired from multiple Hollywood projects and has stayed away from the spotlight ever since.
Lance Armstrong
Once widely regarded as one of the greatest cyclists of all time, Lance Armstrong brought global attention to the sport. Armstrong won seven consecutive Tour de France titles, a feat made more impressive by the fact that he had beat cancer a few years prior. Despite all of that acclaim, Armstrong faced allegations of doping for years, which he continuously denied. It all came to a head in 2012, when the United States Anti-Doping Agency found him guilty of not only taking enhancement drugs, but also of running a doping syndicate. Armstrong was stripped of all his titles and received a lifetime ban from all sports under the World Anti-Doping Code.
Armie Hammer
This actor was on the rise throughout the 2010s, starring in “The Lone Ranger” and “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.” before earning critical acclaim as Oliver in “Call Me by Your Name.” But everything collapsed in January of 2021. It was then that text messages that revealed Hammer’s violent fantasies were made public. Other women also came forward with additional allegations, and the woman who leaked the original texts accused Hammer of sexually assaulting her in 2017. The actor dropped out or was fired from a string of projects and moved to the Cayman Islands, where he reportedly worked as a timeshare salesman. In 2023, the Los Angeles DA declined to charge him criminally due to insufficient evidence.
Charlie Sheen
This actor enjoyed decades of success, with his mainstream popularity spanning back to the late ‘80s. However, he underwent a very public downfall throughout the 2010s, owing mainly to his problems with substance use. Following a stint in rehab, Sheen was fired from “Two and a Half Men” for making offensive comments about his boss, Chuck Lorre. The termination resulted in a lot of publicity for the actor, as did his increasingly erratic behavior. He rode this publicity and found consistent work, including an FX sitcom called “Anger Management” that ran for 100 episodes. However, Sheen’s star has undeniably faded, and he has only had minimal work in TV or film since 2017.
Matt Lauer
One of the most prominent American newsmen, Matt Lauer found great success co-hosting the NBC program “Today.” He lasted 20 years on the show, with his tenure spanning from 1997 to 2017. It was in that year that a fellow NBC employee reported that Lauer had repeatedly harassed her. Many other allegations were reported throughout the following years, and according to journalist Ronan Farrow, NBC was fully aware of Lauer’s predatory behavior. They only acted following the public accusation and fired Lauer in November 2017. Lauer and his wife divorced in 2019, and Lauer has reportedly spent his time writing a tell-all book.
Roseanne Barr
There once was a time when Roseanne Barr was the hottest name in television. Her eponymous sitcom was a huge success throughout the late ‘80s and ‘90s, running for ten seasons and earning Barr an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy. The show was revived in 2018, but it only lasted one season before Barr’s controversial actions got it canceled. On May 29 of that year, Barr wrote a racist tweet aimed at former White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett. The reaction was swift and severe, with ABC canceling the show that same day. A spin-off titled “The Conners” was made without Barr, and she disappeared from the television landscape.
Bill O’Reilly
One of the most popular conservative commentators, Bill O'Reilly was known for hosting “The O'Reilly Factor” on Fox News, which ran for 21 seasons between 1996 and 2017. While the program was an enormous success in the ratings, it came to a sudden end once settlements against O’Reilly were made known. The New York Times broke a story and revealed that O’Reilly had been the target of five sexual harassment lawsuits. Both he and Fox News paid millions in settlements to keep them under wraps. Advertisers dropped their support for “The O'Reilly Factor” once the news was made public, and Fox fired their most popular host. He then started hosting a podcast called “No Spin News.”
Jussie Smollett
Beginning in 2015, ex-child star Jussie Smollett began starring as Jamal Lyon on Fox’s “Empire.” The show was an immediate success, garnering several Emmy nominations and being named one of the ten best shows of the year by the American Film Institute. In January 2019, Smollett fabricated a fake hate crime and was later sued by the city of Chicago. They filed a lawsuit hoping to reclaim over $130,000 that they had spent fruitlessly investigating Smollett’s tall tale. He was also fired from “Empire” and hasn’t appeared on TV since. In December of 2021, Smollett was found guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct and sentenced to 150 days in county jail.
Kanye West
Ever since making his debut as a recording artist in the early 2000s, Kanye West became one of the most influential figures of the 21st century, in hip-hop and fashion. Throughout his career, West has been at the center of controversy more than just a handful of times, but perhaps the most consequential came in 2022. The rapper was first criticized for wearing a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt at the Paris Fashion Week. Soon after, he tweeted anti-Semitic remarks when he was locked out of his Instagram account. West faced immediate backlash, resulting in the loss of his billionaire status and multiple business partnerships with companies like Balenciaga, Gap and Adidas. While West is said to have mental issues, it’s clear his career will likely never be the same.
Phil Spector
Throughout the 1960s and ‘70s, Phil Spector was a highly sought after music producer, having worked with acts like the Beatles, the Righteous Brothers, and Ike & Tina Turner. Over the next few decades, he retreated from the spotlight, only to make headlines in 2003 for all the wrong reasons. On February 3rd of that year, Spector fatally shot actress Lana Clarkson in his Alhambra, California home. This led to murder charges, and in 2007, he faced a trial that ended in a mistrial. A second trial commenced the following year, ultimately resulting in his conviction and a prison sentence of 19 years to life. In January 2021, while serving his sentence, Spector died, reportedly from complications of COVID-19.
R. Kelly
A huge star of the ‘90s, R. Kelly is a multi-Grammy winner who has sold over 75 million records. However, he was also repeatedly accused of sexual misconduct and assault by multiple individuals. Kelly managed to evade consequences for this behavior for decades, until the release of the 2019 Lifetime documentary “Surviving R. Kelly,” which chronicled his history of allegations. Following its release, the singer was dropped by RCA Records and charged with new crimes. He was found guilty of racketeering and of violating the Mann Act, which concerns the transportation of women for illicit activities. Kelly faced another trial in the state of Illinois and was found guilty, bringing his total prison sentence to 31 years.
Harvey Weinstein
This man was once a powerful figure in Hollywood. The co-founder of both Miramax and The Weinstein Company, Harvey Weinstein is the Oscar and Tony-winning producer behind works like “Pulp Fiction,” “Good Will Hunting,” and “Shakespeare in Love.” However, behind the scenes, he used his power and influence to sexually harass and assault women. Things came to a head in October of 2017, when The New York Times and The New Yorker reported over a dozen allegations against him, sparking the #MeToo movement. In total, over 80 women came forth accusing Weinstein of harassment and/or assault, including popular actress Rose McGowan. Weinstein was charged and found guilty of two felonies, and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
Bill Cosby
While he had been a successful comedian since the ‘60s, Bill Cosby is mostly remembered for starring as Cliff Huxtable in the enormously popular “The Cosby Show.” He gained a reputation as “America's Dad” throughout the 1980s, but this changed dramatically in the 2010s. After comedian Hannibal Buress drew attention to allegations against Cosby in 2014, numerous women came forward with further accusations of sexual assault, dating all the way back to the mid ‘60s. On September 25, 2018, Cosby was sentenced to prison for aggravated indecent assault. He remained behind bars for nearly three years, but his conviction was overturned on June 30, 2021. While Cosby was released from prison, his career is effectively over.
Can you think of any other examples? Let us know in the comments below!
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