Top 10 Celebrities Allegedly Caught With Prostitutes

What is it about former child stars that makes them lightning rods for controversy when they grow up? Danny Bonaduce became popular in the 1970s thanks to a role on the sitcom series “The Partridge Family”, but his early success didn’t last long. Bonaduce has had multiple run-ins with the law, but the most famous incident occurred on March 31st, 1991, when he was arrested on charges of robbing and assaulting a transvestite prostitute. Bonaduce admitted to soliciting the prostitute after police found him hiding in a closet in his apartment.

In 2012, this former French presidential hopeful came under investigation over his alleged involvement in a prostitution ring, including claims that he helped employ prostitutes for numerous sex parties. Strauss-Kahn was forced to stand trial on allegations of “aggravated pimping”, but was acquitted in June of 2015. Unfortunately for him, his reputation in France may be ruined forever – a 2015 poll in the French paper “Le Figaro” showed that 88% of the population does not believe Strauss-Kahn was unaware that the women he met were prostitutes.

Perhaps better known for his exploits off screen than on screen these days, Charlie Sheen told Playboy in 2012 that as a teen, he stole his dad’s credit card to pay for a prostitute. Of course, there have been other allegations, such as the claim that he stiffed an escort on a $12,000 bill after she posed for a picture with Denise Richards, Sheen’s ex-wife. Then, there’s the 2015 admission from Jon Cryer, Sheen’s former “Two and a Half Men” co-star, that Sheen helped Cryer hire a prostitute following his divorce.

Silvio Berlusconi has had a very successful career – he’s the owner of the football club A.C. Milan, served as Prime Minister of Italy on three separate occasions, and was once named the 12th most powerful person in the world by Forbes. But he will also forever be known for his connection to a teenaged Moroccan belly dancer and supposed prostitute. In 2013, Berlusconi was found guilty of soliciting an underage prostitute, but an Italian appeals court reversed the conviction in 2014. Berlusconi has maintained his innocence and still remains influential in the Italian political scene.

Before he became an infamous daytime television host, Jerry Springer had political aspirations. He ran for Congress in 1970 and was elected to the Cincinnati city council in 1971. In 1974, however, a raid on a massage parlor revealed checks written by Springer, which caused him to admit to hiring a prostitute and led to his resignation. Springer proved his resiliency, however, by rebounding to reclaim his council position and eventually become one of the most famous personalities on daytime television.

Another celebrity who is no stranger to finding his name in the tabloids, Boy George was convicted in 2008 of assaulting and falsely imprisoning Audun Carlsen, a Norwegian escort. George allegedly ambushed Carlsen in his room and handcuffed him. Carlsen was able to escape, but not before he was beaten with a chain by the British singer. George was sentenced to 15 months in jail but was released after four months because of good behavior.

Politicians, actors, and singers aren’t the only ones who have been caught with their hands in the cookie jar. Several athletes have found themselves in hot water, including the Yankees’ Alex Rodriguez. We elected to go with Man U star Wayne Rooney for our list, however. In 2010, it became public knowledge that Rooney hired a prostitute named Jennifer Thompson on multiple occasions. It was claimed she apparently also had a threesome with Rooney and Helen Wood, another escort, while his wife was pregnant. Despite these allegations, Rooney’s marriage remains strong to this day.

In one of the more embarrassing entries on our list, comedian and actor Eddie Murphy was caught with a transvestite prostitute in his car in May of 1997. At the time, Murphy was married to Nicole Mitchell, the mother of his children. He was seen picking up the prostitute from an area that’s known to be gay-friendly and was pulled over by the LAPD. Murphy maintained that he was simply giving her a ride, although the prostitute claims that Murphy tried to give her money. He was not arrested or charged.

Unlike Jerry Springer, who was able to revive his political career after an incident with a prostitute, Eliot Spitzer has had no such luck. The 54th Governor of New York was forced to resign in March of 2008 after one of the most famous prostitution scandals in recent memory. Information from a federal wiretap revealed that Spitzer had paid over $15,000 for prostitutes from a service called Emperors Club VIP, although investigators believe this number may be as high as $80,000, dating back to Spitzer’s time as Attorney General. Although Spitzer was not criminally charged, the scandal ended his political career.

Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- D’Angelo
- Vince Offer [aka the “ShamWow Guy”]
- Ted Haggard
- Lamar Odom
- Eve

An international film star, Hugh Grant’s quirky mannerisms and gentle disposition won him the love of women around the world. His relationship with Elizabeth Hurley, meanwhile, earned him the envy of men everywhere. Unfortunately for Grant, not everything has been sunshine and roses. In 1995, Grant was arrested in Los Angeles for engaging in oral sex in public with a prostitute. Grant faced the music admirably, however, and admitted to the mistake. Still, we have to agree with Jay Leno – what the hell was he thinking?!

Do you agree with our list? Which celebrity prostitution scandal do you think was the most famous? For more exciting Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.