20 Actors Who Went From Loved to Hated

Fame moves fast in Hollywood. One moment an actor is everywhere with hit roles and glowing press, and the next their projects stall as headlines take over. Careers can change because of criminal cases, public scandals, or behavior on and off set, and the shift in audience sentiment is often swift.

This list looks at well known male actors whose public image took a hard turn after major controversies. For each name you will find a quick reminder of the roles that made them popular, followed by the events that derailed momentum and reshaped how studios and viewers responded to them.

Kevin Spacey

Audiences praised his performances in films like ‘The Usual Suspects’ and ‘American Beauty’. He reached a new level of fame with the political series ‘House of Cards’, where he also served as an executive producer.

Multiple sexual misconduct allegations upended his career. He was removed from ‘House of Cards’, and his role in ‘All the Money in the World’ was reshot with a different actor. Projects paused worldwide, public appearances shrank, and distribution partners cut ties as lawsuits and legal proceedings played out.

Mel Gibson

He became a global star through ‘Mad Max’ and ‘Lethal Weapon’, then won Academy Awards after directing ‘Braveheart’. His blend of action and period drama made him a bankable lead and a respected filmmaker.

A 2006 arrest and widely reported antisemitic remarks led to years of industry backlash. Studios and agencies stepped away, planned projects were shelved, and he worked largely outside major studio systems for a time. Later directing work like ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ found backing, but his reputation remained a continuing source of debate.

Armie Hammer

He broke through with a dual role in ‘The Social Network’ and earned acclaim for ‘Call Me by Your Name’. Studio leads and prestige supporting parts put him on shortlists for major franchises.

In 2021 graphic allegations surfaced and professional fallout followed. He exited projects that included ‘The Offer’ and ‘Shotgun Wedding’, lost agency representation, and saw marketing for ‘Death on the Nile’ complicated by the scandal. Investigations and public scrutiny halted new high profile roles.

Shia LaBeouf

He headlined blockbusters like ‘Transformers’ and worked with celebrated directors in ‘Fury’. Indie turns such as ‘American Honey’ and ‘Honey Boy’ drew strong critical notices and award chatter.

A long record of arrests, plagiarism issues, and a high profile lawsuit alleging abuse damaged his standing. Studio deals cooled, public events were overshadowed by legal filings, and collaborators publicly distanced themselves. Admissions about treatment for alcohol and other issues arrived alongside an uncertain release pipeline.

Ezra Miller

Early roles in ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin’ and ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ showed range. Casting as the Flash put Miller at the center of a major superhero slate across several films.

A string of arrests and troubling reports in 2022 created a crisis for ongoing projects. ‘The Flash’ went to theaters amid intense controversy while press plans were scaled back. Statements about seeking treatment were issued, but brand partnerships and future franchise plans became unclear.

Jussie Smollett

He earned fame as a singer and actor on ‘Empire’. The show’s success brought tours, awards attention, and a strong social media following.

Chicago police accused him of staging a hate crime and he was later convicted of filing false reports. ‘Empire’ wrote his character out, endorsement opportunities vanished, and legal appeals took center stage. Restitution orders and probation terms followed while the industry moved on.

James Franco

He balanced mainstream draw with festival projects like ‘127 Hours’ and led ‘The Disaster Artist’. Teaching and directing added to a reputation for versatility.

After multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, he stepped back from high visibility work. A lawsuit from former students ended in a settlement and several collaborators said they would not work with him. Casting prospects narrowed and his public presence largely shifted to smaller international productions.

Charlie Sheen

He anchored ‘Two and a Half Men’ for years and was one of television’s highest paid stars. Earlier film roles like ‘Wall Street’ and ‘Platoon’ built his name with both audiences and critics.

Highly publicized disputes with producers and a media spiral led to his firing from the sitcom. A new series, ‘Anger Management’, launched later but never matched his previous success. The earlier hit continued with a different lead while Sheen’s opportunities diminished.

Alec Baldwin

He mixed acclaimed work in films with a comedic run on ’30 Rock’. Hosting gigs and frequent appearances on live television kept him in the cultural conversation.

The on set shooting on the film ‘Rust’ resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and sparked criminal charges and civil suits. Production was halted, brand deals were reevaluated, and release calendars were disrupted. Court proceedings and public criticism reshaped his professional outlook.

Johnny Depp

He became one of the biggest stars in the world through ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’. He also worked steadily with major directors in films like ‘Edward Scissorhands’ and ‘Finding Neverland’.

Years of legal battles with Amber Heard brought an avalanche of negative press. He resigned from ‘Fantastic Beasts’ and was replaced in the role of Grindelwald. While a later defamation verdict in the United States favored him, the extended dispute fractured fan support and complicated studio commitments.

Will Smith

He rose from ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel Air’ to global box office hits like ‘Men in Black’. He won awards for dramatic turns in films such as ‘Ali’ and ‘King Richard’.

An onstage slap at the Academy Awards led to a 10 year ban from the ceremony and events under the Academy’s purview. Several projects paused for reassessment and promotional tours shifted tone. Public apologies followed while long term partnerships reconsidered plans.

Mark Wahlberg

He moved from music to acting with roles in ‘Boogie Nights’ and ‘The Departed’. Producer credits broadened his influence on projects across film and television.

Old assault cases from his teenage years resurfaced in headlines and drew harsh criticism. Another flashpoint arrived when his pay for ‘All the Money in the World’ reshoots far exceeded his co star’s compensation. He donated his reshoot fee to charity, but the controversy affected perception and negotiations.

Nate Parker

He earned attention in ensemble films and then wrote, directed, and starred in ‘The Birth of a Nation’. A major festival premiere and an all rights acquisition set high expectations for a wide release.

Past sexual assault allegations from his college years resurfaced during the publicity campaign. Press events were dominated by questions about the case and box office returns fell far below projections. Awards talk evaporated and future directing and acting opportunities narrowed.

Bill Cosby

He was a television fixture through ‘The Cosby Show’ and earlier work like ‘I Spy’. Syndication and endorsements made him one of the most recognized entertainers in America.

Decades of sexual assault allegations culminated in a criminal conviction that was later overturned on procedural grounds. A civil jury later found him liable in a separate case, and tours and screen projects collapsed. Networks removed reruns and institutions rescinded honors as lawsuits continued.

Steven Seagal

He became an action star through titles like ‘Under Siege’. Martial arts credentials and a steady stream of releases kept him visible through the 1990s.

Multiple allegations of sexual misconduct and close ties to the Russian government severely hurt his reputation. He accepted Russian citizenship and made public appearances supportive of President Vladimir Putin, which drew sharp criticism. Major studio offers disappeared and most releases shifted to low budget or overseas markets.

Randy Quaid

He built a long resume with films like ‘Independence Day’ and ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’. Character work brought award nominations and regular casting.

A series of legal troubles including skipped court dates and property related charges sent his career off course. He sought asylum in Canada while claiming persecution, which produced more headlines than roles. Work on film and television slowed to a trickle amid ongoing disputes.

Michael Richards

He became a household name as Kramer on ‘Seinfeld’. The role brought Emmy wins and gave him a lasting place in television history.

A viral video captured him using a racist slur during a stand up set in Los Angeles. He apologized on late night television, but bookings dried up and planned projects fell through. Attempts at a sitcom comeback stalled as networks and audiences reacted to the incident.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

He won an Oscar for ‘Jerry Maguire’ and followed with a mix of dramas and crowd pleasers. Television roles and stage work kept him active across different formats.

In New York he faced multiple accusations of unwanted touching and entered a guilty plea in a case related to one incident. After completing court mandated counseling the conviction was reduced, but civil claims and settlements kept the story alive. Casting slowed and high profile offers became rare.

Danny Masterson

He was best known for ‘That ’70s Show’ and later appeared in ‘The Ranch’. Sitcom success gave him a steady television presence for many years.

He was tried and convicted of rape and received a lengthy prison sentence. He had already been written out of ‘The Ranch’ and his agency dropped him. The verdict closed the door on further industry work while appeals moved forward.

Jonathan Majors

He rose quickly with praised performances in ‘The Last Black Man in San Francisco’ and ‘Creed III’. A key role in the Marvel television and film slate positioned him for long term franchise work.

An arrest in New York led to charges and a trial that ended with convictions for assault and harassment. The studio behind the superhero franchise cut ties and several films removed him from consideration. A completed awards hopeful titled ‘Magazine Dreams’ lost its release plans as distributors stepped back.

Share your thoughts in the comments about which stories surprised you most and who you think experienced the sharpest turn in public perception.