The 20 Worst Apologies From Actors

When famous faces say or do something that sparks backlash, the public apology becomes a key moment. Some statements land clearly and lead with accountability while others create new headlines because they leave out details or arrive after a delay. Either way, the words chosen and the actions that follow tell you a lot about how a situation was handled.

This list gathers notable apologies from male actors and explains what happened, what was said, and what steps each person took afterward. You will find dates, platforms, and follow up actions so you can see the full picture of each incident without guesswork.

Will Smith

After the onstage incident with Chris Rock at the Academy Awards in March 2022, Will Smith posted a written statement apologizing to Rock, the Academy, and viewers. He later released a video addressing specific questions about the night and said he was working through the impact of his actions.

He resigned from the Academy soon after and accepted a 10 year ceremony ban that followed. He continued promotional and charity appearances with careful handling of questions and acknowledged that his acceptance speech that night did not include an apology to Rock, which he corrected the next day.

Kevin Hart

In December 2018 Kevin Hart stepped down from hosting the Oscars after old tweets resurfaced and drew heavy criticism. He posted multiple statements that included an apology and said he had addressed the material in the past but would not let the controversy overshadow the event.

In early 2019 he reiterated that he understood why the tweets were hurtful and said he would continue learning from the experience. He returned to touring and media with new material and interviews that referenced personal growth and the responsibilities that come with a large audience.

Mel Gibson

Following his 2006 arrest in Malibu and widely reported remarks, Mel Gibson issued a statement calling his words unacceptable and apologized to the people and communities he offended. He sought treatment for alcohol issues and met with leaders from affected groups to discuss the harm caused.

In later interviews he repeated that the incident was inexcusable and that he had spent time working on recovery and accountability. He resumed work after a period away and addressed questions about the episode when promoting new projects.

Hugh Grant

Hugh Grant was arrested in Los Angeles in June 1995 and the story dominated entertainment news. He went on a late night talk show soon after and delivered a direct apology that acknowledged the facts of the arrest without blaming others.

He continued with scheduled film publicity and faced questions about the incident at each stop. He maintained the same message about personal responsibility and kept the focus on corrective behavior going forward.

Shia LaBeouf

In late 2013 Shia LaBeouf faced accusations of plagiarism connected to his short film. He posted a series of apologies that referenced the source material and said he would learn from the lapse, including a public skywritten apology directed to the original author.

He paused projects and staged performance art pieces that addressed fame, authorship, and contrition. He later described the period as a reset and returned with new work that did not reuse uncredited material.

Matt Damon

Matt Damon apologized in 2015 to producer Effie Brown after comments during a filmed discussion about diversity on the series ‘Project Greenlight’. He said he was sorry for speaking over her and for not centering her perspective in the moment.

In 2017 he apologized again in a separate interview after remarks about a spectrum of behavior created backlash. He clarified that he supported survivors and said he would be more careful about how he discussed sensitive topics in public.

Liam Neeson

In February 2019 Liam Neeson described a decades old episode during a press interview and immediately faced intense criticism. He apologized for the story he told and for the attitudes reflected in it and said he sought counseling to understand why he had reacted that way in the past.

He addressed the issue again on television and at promotional events, repeating that the remarks were wrong and harmful. He kept the focus on learning and on the danger of acting from anger and prejudice even when speaking about a long ago memory.

John Travolta

At the 2014 Oscars John Travolta introduced Idina Menzel and mispronounced her name in a way that went viral. He released a statement the next day apologizing to Menzel and explained that last minute changes contributed to the error.

He followed up with a personal conversation at a later event and made light of the moment together onstage with her in a way that signaled the matter was closed. He continued awards duties in later years with careful preparation for names and cues.

Jason Momoa

A 2011 comic convention clip resurfaced in 2017 that showed Jason Momoa making a comment about enjoying a type of violent scene. He posted an apology on social media that acknowledged the clip and said he understood why people were upset.

He emphasized that the comment did not reflect his values and that he respected survivors. He continued charity work and interviews where he outlined the standards he expected on sets and in his own conduct.

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan Reynolds apologized in 2020 for choosing a wedding venue that was a historic plantation. He said he and his partner learned from the decision and renewed their vows in a different setting years later.

He pointed to donations and ongoing support for racial justice organizations and described internal changes at his companies to improve hiring and training. He referenced the mistake in later interviews as part of a longer process rather than a single statement.

Russell Crowe

In 2005 Russell Crowe was arrested in New York after an altercation at a hotel desk. He went on a major late night show within days and apologized to the employee, to the hotel, and to fans who expected better judgment.

He settled the legal matter and fulfilled professional commitments with a lower profile for a period. He later discussed stress and travel leading up to the incident and said he had put safeguards in place to prevent anything similar.

Christian Bale

An audio recording from the ‘Terminator Salvation’ set surfaced in 2009 and sparked worldwide coverage. Christian Bale called into a radio show to apologize to the crew member involved, to the crew at large, and to the public for the outburst.

He said he spoke privately with the person at the center of the incident and that they had worked together afterward without further problems. He noted that he had learned to step away when frustrations rise and to protect the collaborative environment on set.

Michael Richards

During a 2006 stand up set in Los Angeles Michael Richards responded to hecklers with racist slurs. He appeared by remote on a late night talk show two days later and apologized directly to audience members and viewers who were hurt by his words.

He reached out to civil rights leaders and took a break from public performances. He later said the incident ended his stand up career and that he had focused on understanding why he reacted the way he did that night.

Benedict Cumberbatch

Benedict Cumberbatch apologized in 2015 after using an outdated term while discussing diversity in the British film industry on television. He issued a written statement that called the word offensive and said he was deeply sorry for the mistake.

He highlighted organizations working on inclusion and pointed to his support for initiatives that expand opportunities behind and in front of the camera. He continued to address the subject in interviews with updated language and emphasis on measurable change.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg has repeatedly expressed regret for assaults from his youth that left lasting harm. He apologized to victims and communities affected and said he had spent his adult life trying to make amends through personal conduct and service.

He withdrew a formal pardon request years later and said he understood why many people were critical of that filing. He continued charitable work and spoke about accountability when the past was raised during interviews.

James Corden

In October 2022 a New York restaurant owner said James Corden had been rude to staff and announced a brief ban that drew heavy coverage. Corden called the owner to apologize and addressed the situation on his show with a second apology.

He described the events from his perspective and said he would return to the restaurant only if staff were comfortable. He continued the show’s run with segments that avoided the subject while acknowledging that service workers deserved respect.

Jamie Foxx

In August 2023 Jamie Foxx posted an Instagram caption about betrayal that many readers interpreted as antisemitic. He deleted the post and issued an apology that clarified he was referring to a personal situation and not to any group.

He said he opposed hate in all forms and thanked people who pointed out the harm in the wording. He resumed public appearances after a period of health related absence and kept social media messaging focused on projects and gratitude.

Stephen Amell

During summer 2023 Stephen Amell criticized the timing and strategy of an industry strike while saying he supported his union. After backlash he apologized and clarified that he supported the strike and the negotiating committee.

He joined picket lines and used his social media accounts to amplify official union updates. He returned to fan conventions later with a clearer message about solidarity and the reasons for the work stoppage.

John Cena

While promoting ‘F9’ in 2021 John Cena referred to Taiwan as a country during an interview and the remark caused an immediate controversy in China. He released a video apology in Mandarin that acknowledged the mistake and expressed love and respect for Chinese fans.

He continued promotional duties with careful phrasing on geopolitical topics. He kept the focus on the movie and on his appreciation for global audiences while avoiding further commentary that might distract from the release.

Terry Crews

Terry Crews apologized in 2020 to Gabrielle Union after earlier comments that minimized her concerns about workplace culture on ‘America’s Got Talent’. He said he had spoken with her privately and that he was sorry for not supporting her when she raised issues.

He also addressed criticism of his social media posts from the same year and said he would be more thoughtful in how he discussed sensitive subjects. He remained active in advocacy against harassment and continued to share resources for survivors.

Share the moments you think were handled well or poorly and tell us which apologies you believe changed the most minds in the comments.