20 Celebs Who Died Broke Despite Earning Hundreds of Millions

Fame can bring massive paydays, but bad contracts, tax problems, lavish spending, and legal fights can burn through fortunes fast. Many celebrities also saw their income collapse while debts kept growing. Estates can be tied up by the IRS, record labels, or former managers, leaving little cash for families. These cases show how big lifetime earnings do not always translate into security at the end.

Judy Garland

Judy Garland earned huge sums from concerts and film classics like ‘The Wizard of Oz’, but years of mismanagement and tax issues gutted her finances. Multiple marriages and high living costs added to the strain. By the late 1960s she was performing frequently just to keep up with obligations. She died in 1969 with significant debts and an estate that required lengthy settlements.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Sammy Davis Jr. commanded top money on stage and in films like ‘Ocean’s 11’, yet compounding interest on unpaid taxes overwhelmed his estate. The IRS pursued him through the 1980s while he kept touring to service liabilities. Divorce costs and business expenses made the gap wider. When he died in 1990, his estate faced a large federal tax bill that took years to resolve.

Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye generated major royalties but struggled with back taxes and costly personal obligations. He filed for bankruptcy in the late 1970s and assigned future royalties to settle marital debts. After moving to Europe he still faced U.S. tax problems. When he died in 1984, his estate was burdened by liabilities that outweighed accessible cash.

Billie Holiday

Billie Holiday earned well in her prime through relentless touring and hit records. Years of legal troubles and unpaid taxes consumed much of it. She was under police guard for alleged drug possession while hospitalized at the end of her life. She died in 1959 with very little money and an estate that could not cover medical bills without outside help.

Joe Louis

Heavyweight champion Joe Louis brought in huge purses that translated into national fame and endorsements. A combination of wartime service, generous gifts, and poor tax planning created enormous IRS debt. He kept working exhibitions and as a greeter in retirement to chip away at what he owed. He died in 1981 with finances still constrained by federal claims.

Bela Lugosi

Bela Lugosi became a global star as Count Dracula in ‘Dracula’, but his studio contracts paid far less than later syndication would be worth. Typecasting limited roles and medical expenses mounted. He sold personal items and took low-budget work to stay afloat. He died in 1956 with modest means and unpaid bills.

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge broke barriers in Hollywood yet faced limited roles and unequal pay. Managerial missteps and lawsuits drained her accounts. She also carried significant debts tied to property and care costs for her daughter. When she died in 1965, her estate reported more liabilities than assets.

Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr earned big film paychecks for hits like ‘Samson and Delilah’, but later years brought few roles and financial strain. She held a famous patent with George Antheil that was never commercialized for her benefit. Legal disputes and living expenses eroded savings. She died in 2000 with a comparatively small estate relative to her earlier earnings.

Mickey Rooney

Mickey Rooney was once among Hollywood’s highest paid stars and headlined films for decades. In later life he reported elder abuse and financial exploitation that drained his accounts. Court filings documented minimal cash and ongoing debts. He died in 2014 with a tiny estate that went through probate quickly.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman became a household name on ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ and earned millions as a child star. Legal fights with his parents and former managers consumed much of that money. He filed for bankruptcy in the late 1990s and worked sporadic jobs afterward. He died in 2010 with limited assets and disputed medical bills.

Corey Haim

Corey Haim drew significant pay from films like ‘The Lost Boys’ and related appearances. A long struggle with health and addiction led to erratic work and mounting expenses. He filed for bankruptcy listing tax debts and minimal property. He died in 2010 with little left from his early career peak.

Dana Plato

Dana Plato rose to fame on ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ but left the series without a stable income. Legal issues, medical costs, and inconsistent work kept money tight. She sold memorabilia and made low-paying appearances to get by. She died in 1999 while still dealing with debts and very limited savings.

Bobby Driscoll

Disney star Bobby Driscoll earned strong salaries for leading roles in films and as the voice of ‘Peter Pan’. His contract ended as he aged and work dried up. He struggled with addiction and lived largely off friends and shelters. He died in 1968 in poverty, identified only years later.

John Barrymore

John Barrymore commanded elite stage and screen pay for decades, including films like ‘Grand Hotel’. Heavy spending, divorces, and health problems consumed his fortune. He borrowed extensively in later years to cover living costs. He died in 1942 with debts that friends helped address after the funeral.

Veronica Lake

Veronica Lake was a marquee name in ‘The Blue Dahlia’ and other noir hits, but a career slump tore through her income. She took restaurant jobs and small theater parts to make rent. Medical bills and back taxes built up. She died in 1973 with very little money and a small estate.

Peter Lawford

Peter Lawford earned well from films like ‘Ocean’s 11’ and television work. Divorces, substance issues, and lifestyle costs overtook income in later life. He sold assets and relied on friends for help with expenses. He died in 1984 with debts that complicated funeral arrangements.

Redd Foxx

Redd Foxx became a top earner on ‘Sanford and Son’, but tax problems plagued him for years. The IRS seized assets and garnished income from later TV work. He kept performing to service liabilities but the balance persisted. He died in 1991 with outstanding tax debts still unresolved.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur generated huge sales and touring revenue, yet advances and label recoupment left little liquid cash on hand. Legal fees and security costs were substantial. Contract structures meant royalties were offset against large obligations. He died in 1996 with an estate that initially showed limited assets relative to his popularity.

Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson earned extraordinary sums across recordings, touring, and publishing, including valuable catalog holdings. Years of borrowing against assets and legal settlements left his finances highly leveraged. Court filings after his death described hundreds of millions in debt alongside major intellectual property. He died in 2009 with an overextended balance sheet that his estate later stabilized.

Whitney Houston

Whitney Houston brought in massive revenue from albums, tours, and films like ‘The Bodyguard’, but declining sales and advances created cash flow problems late in her career. Reports at the time described strained finances and significant liabilities. She relied on future earnings and assets to cover expenses. She died in 2012 with an estate that needed careful management to recover value.

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