Top 10 Horrific Crimes by Movie Stars

10 Horrific Crimes by Movie Stars

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be discussing the instances where the dark side of Hollywood rose up to consume some famous movie performers.

Attempted Murder

Shelley Malil

It’s difficult to say what might have come of the career of Shelley Malil after the actor gained fame for his performance in “The 40-Year-Old Virgin.” That’s because Malil was sentenced to life imprisonment with the possibility of parole after twelve years for the attempted murder of his girlfriend, Kendra Beebe, in 2010. The wounds inflicted on Beebe by Malil were numerous, and the victim was left in some severe physical shape, although she would eventually survive the attack. Malil, in the meantime, was actually paroled in 2018, after serving only eight years of his sentence.

Alleged Abuse & Defamation

Johnny Depp & Amber Heard

Why do we so often follow the sordid details that emerge in the wake of a high-profile celebrity court case? The tumultuous relationship of actors Johnny Depp and Amber Heard was an open book for all to see during their 2022 trial. Depp’s legal team brought forth allegations of defamation against Heard, while the latter asserted that she was a victim of domestic violence during her marriage to Depp. Live-streamed footage of the trial resulted in public support primarily leaning towards Depp, and this sentiment seemed to be echoed by the jury verdict, which ruled in favor of the plaintiff.

First-Degree Attempted Burglary

Lillo Brancato

It was alongside heavyweight acting legends like Robert De Niro that Lillo Brancato first made his mark in Hollywood. The young actor would earn praise for his work in “A Bronx Tale,” although struggles with substance use disorder eventually came to a head for Brancato. A gunfight with off-duty police officer Daniel Enchautegui proved to be fatal for the latter. Brancato was charged with second-degree murder for his role in the altercation, one that also included Brancato’s accomplice, Steven Armento. Brancato escaped the murder charge, but was convicted of first-degree attempted burglary, served time, and was eventually paroled. He speaks now about his experiences and has returned to acting.

Sexual Assault

Gérard Depardieu

It’s a question that’s been asked before, one that tends to follow many celebrities whose talents sometimes overshadow the dark clouds of controversy that follow their careers. There’s absolutely no denying the greatness of Gérard Depardieu as an actor, as evidenced by his numerous awards and accolades. Yet, accusations of a sexual nature have dogged Depardieu for decades. It wasn’t until 2020 that an official reckoning came knocking, in the form of official charges levied in Depardieu’s native France. He was convicted in May of 2025 on two counts of sexual assault, although the actor steadfastly denied these accusations and even took the stand in his own defense. The verdict is currently being appealed.

Sexual Exploitation

James Franco

The arrest of disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein in 2018 served as a reckoning of sorts, a moment in history where other victims of sexual exploitation and abuse felt emboldened to speak up and tell their stories. The career and reputation of James Franco certainly took a hit in the wake of this “Weinstein Effect,” since multiple women accused the actor of taking advantage of his position as an acting coach. Behavior that was designed to elicit certain favors in exchange for potential acting roles… with retaliation on the table if those favors weren’t doled out. The suits were settled out of court, although Franco did admit that he had sex with his students during this time.

Fatal DUI

Amy Locane

The 2020 short film “Cooties” served as the first film role in over ten years for Amy Locane, who had formerly retired in 2006 while she was raising a family. Unfortunately, Locane was involved in a fatal car crash in 2010, one that proved fatal to the wife of Fred Seeman, who had been attempting to turn into his driveway. Locane’s conviction and sentencing proved to be equally controversial, since it was later found that the initial decision of three years was too lenient. The actress ultimately served more years in prison while appealing this decision, before finally being released in December of 2024.

Felony Torture

Joe Son

The martial arts training of Joe Son made this actor an easy fit for multiple, direct-to-video acting gigs. Then, Son’s resemblance to the famous James Bond villain Oddjob resulted in his casting as “Random Task” in the hit spy parody, “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery.” It would be DNA evidence submitted for Son’s role in a separate crime, that of felony vandalism, that would go on to connect the actor to a cold case that occurred eighteen years prior. Son was sentenced to life in prison for his role in a felony torture case that left a female victim traumatized and assaulted. The actor’s prison life would result in yet another crime, this time for the murder of Joe Son’s cellmate, Michael Graham.

Murder

Johnny Lewis

It’s unclear as to whether or not a 2011 motorcycle accident caused some sort of undiagnosed trauma within the otherwise promising life of actor Johnny Lewis. The star of such films as “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem” and television shows like “Sons of Anarchy” was staying at a bed and breakfast known to other creatives in the area of Los Angeles, California. His behavior proved to be violently erratic, however, with Lewis having assaulted a number of his neighbors prior to murdering his landlady, Catherine Davis, as well as her pet cat. Johnny Lewis fell to his death after committing these crimes, although authorities maintain that this fatal fall was accidental, and not a self-induced act of destruction.

Hate Crimes

Mark Wahlberg

There is an astonishingly long rap sheet of crimes when it comes to the history of Mark Wahlberg’s troubled youth. The actor has freely admitted his wrongdoings as a teenager, when he committed hate crimes against persons of color in his neighborhood. The actor only served 45 days in jail for a 1988 attack on a Vietnamese man, Johnny Trinh. Yet, Wahlberg brazenly requested a pardon from the State of Massachusetts in 2014 for his crime, a pardon that was not issued. Mark Wahlberg would later go on to state that he’d personally met with Trinh in an effort to clean his personal slate.

Vehicular Manslaughter

Matthew Broderick

“Careless driving.” That was what the legal team representing Matthew Broderick eventually had levied against their client after a tragic car accident took place back in 1987. Broderick’s car swerved into the wrong lane while the actor was vacationing in Northern Ireland. The passengers in the other car, a mother and daughter, were killed at the scene. Broderick, in the meantime, awoke in a hospital with some very serious injuries… together with no recollection of the incident. The initial charges of “causing death by dangerous driving” were lowered to the aforementioned conviction, which let Broderick off with only a $175 fine.

Which of these revelations was the most shocking to you? Let us know in the comments.