30 Celebs Who Lost Everything After Being Exposed as Bullies

The entertainment industry has long protected powerful figures who generate significant revenue regardless of their behavior behind the scenes. Social media and investigative journalism have shifted this dynamic by giving victims a platform to voice their experiences with workplace harassment and intimidation. Many celebrities once considered untouchable have seen their careers dismantle rapidly following credible allegations of bullying and abuse. The public no longer separates the art from the artist when toxic patterns of behavior come to light. This list explores the stories of famous individuals who faced severe professional consequences after their aggressive conduct was exposed.

Ellen DeGeneres

The talk show host built a massive empire on the motto of being kind to one another. This image crumbled when employees from ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’ alleged a toxic work environment filled with racism and intimidation. Former staff members claimed they were fired for taking medical leave or attending family funerals. DeGeneres apologized during her opening monologue but the viewership numbers plummeted significantly following the scandal. The show eventually ended its long run as the host struggled to regain her previous standing in pop culture.

Lea Michele

The ‘Glee’ star faced a swift reckoning after posting a tweet in support of the Black Lives Matter movement. Former costar Samantha Ware responded by accusing Michele of making her time on the show a living hell through traumatic microaggressions. Other cast members and industry professionals subsequently came forward with similar stories of difficult behavior and entitlement on various sets. HelloFresh ended their partnership with the actress immediately following the viral exchange. Michele stepped away from the spotlight for some time before attempting a return to Broadway.

Chrissy Teigen

This model and television personality was once beloved for her relatable social media presence and quick wit. Her reputation took a severe hit when personality Courtney Stodden revealed Teigen had sent them direct messages encouraging self-harm. Past tweets resurfaced showing Teigen targeting other women and minors with cruel remarks. She issued a lengthy public apology and stepped away from her voiceover role in ‘Never Have I Ever’ amid the backlash. Her cookware line was also dropped by several major retailers including Target and Macy’s.

Joss Whedon

The director was once hailed as a feminist icon for his work on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and major superhero blockbusters. His career derailed after actor Ray Fisher accused him of abusive and unprofessional behavior on the set of ‘Justice League’. ‘Wonder Woman’ star Gal Gadot and ‘Buffy’ actress Charisma Carpenter supported these claims by sharing their own negative experiences with Whedon. He was described as creating a hostile work environment and threatening the careers of those who opposed him. Whedon has since largely vanished from high-profile Hollywood projects.

Scott Rudin

This prolific producer was an EGOT winner known for backing some of the most acclaimed films and plays in history. An exposé detailed decades of alleged physical and emotional abuse toward his assistants and staff. Reports described him throwing baked potatoes and smashing computer monitors on the hands of employees who displeased him. The industry outcry led Rudin to step back from his Broadway productions and upcoming film projects. He effectively resigned from the spotlight after years of open secrets regarding his management style.

Chevy Chase

The comedian was a founding member of ‘Saturday Night Live’ and a major movie star in the eighties. His reputation for being difficult to work with plagued him for decades and eventually stalled his career resurgence. Cast members from the show ‘Community’ alleged he used racial slurs and created tension on set. Donald Glover and series creator Dan Harmon spoke openly about the struggles of working with Chase. He was eventually written off the show and has had few significant roles since leaving the series.

James Corden

The late-night host faced a public relations nightmare when restaurateur Keith McNally banned him from Balthazar in New York City. McNally described Corden as the most abusive customer his servers had ever encountered since the restaurant opened. The host allegedly berated staff over minor errors with his wife’s order and demanded free drinks. Corden later addressed the incident on ‘The Late Late Show’ but the story damaged his nice-guy persona. He eventually left his talk show and moved back to the United Kingdom.

Sharon Osbourne

The television personality exited ‘The Talk’ following a heated on-air exchange with co-host Sheryl Underwood. Osbourne became defensive and combative when asked about her support for Piers Morgan and his comments regarding Meghan Markle. Following the episode former colleagues alleged Osbourne used racist and homophobic slurs behind the scenes. CBS conducted an internal review and determined her behavior did not align with their values for a respectful workplace. She departed the show and claimed she was blacklisted from American television.

Dan Schneider

The creator behind massive hits like ‘iCarly’ and ‘Drake & Josh’ was a dominant force at Nickelodeon for years. The network abruptly cut ties with him following an investigation into complaints about his temper and verbal abuse. A documentary titled ‘Quiet on Set’ later exposed allegations of a toxic environment rife with sexism and inappropriate behavior toward minors. Former child stars and crew members described a workplace where boundaries were routinely crossed. Schneider has attempted to defend his legacy but his career in children’s television effectively ended.

Armie Hammer

The actor was on the verge of A-list superstardom following his role in ‘Call Me by Your Name’. His career evaporated instantly when disturbing text messages allegedly written by him were leaked online. Several women subsequently came forward with accusations of sexual violence and emotional abuse. Hammer was dropped by his agency and removed from multiple film and television projects including ‘Shotgun Wedding’. He has denied criminal wrongdoing but remains ostracized from the mainstream entertainment industry.

Marilyn Manson

The shock rocker faced a wave of allegations starting with a statement from actress Evan Rachel Wood. She named him as her abuser and claimed he groomed her when she was a teenager. Multiple other women followed with similar accounts of psychological coercion and physical violence. His record label and booking agent dropped him immediately as the stories gained traction. Manson has faced multiple lawsuits and has been largely removed from active participation in the music industry.

Kevin Spacey

The two-time Oscar winner was fired from the hit series ‘House of Cards’ after actor Anthony Rapp alleged Spacey made a sexual advance toward him when Rapp was fourteen. This revelation triggered numerous other men to come forward with accusations of harassment and assault. Ridley Scott spent millions to reshoot Spacey’s scenes in ‘All the Money in the World’ with Christopher Plummer. Spacey faced legal battles in the United Kingdom and the United States that halted his career. Although acquitted in some criminal courts he remains a pariah in Hollywood.

Roseanne Barr

The comedian saw her hit sitcom ‘Roseanne’ revived to massive ratings and critical success. Everything fell apart when she posted a racist tweet about former Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett. ABC executives acted swiftly to cancel the show despite its financial success. The network later retooled the series as ‘The Conners’ and killed off her character. Barr claimed she was under the influence of sleep medication but the excuse did not salvage her career.

T.J. Miller

The comedian was a rising star on the HBO series ‘Silicon Valley’ before his abrupt exit. Costar Alice Wetterlund later described him as a bully who made the set difficult for everyone. He was also accused of sexual assault by a woman from his college years and allegedly called in a fake bomb threat on a train. These compounding incidents led to his removal from the ‘How to Train Your Dragon’ franchise and ‘Deadpool’ sequels. Miller has struggled to book mainstream work since these events unfolded.

Shia LaBeouf

The former child star transitioned into a respected adult actor before facing serious allegations from musician FKA Twigs. She filed a lawsuit accusing him of sexual battery and relentless emotional distress during their relationship. LaBeouf admitted to having a history of hurting the people closest to him and sought inpatient treatment. Netflix removed his name from their awards campaign pieces for the film ‘Pieces of a Woman’. He has since worked only sporadically in independent films while navigating his legal issues.

Kanye West

The rapper and designer built a billion-dollar brand through his music and partnership with Adidas. His empire collapsed after he made repeated antisemitic comments and harassed his ex-wife Kim Kardashian online. He used his social media platforms to bully Vogue editors and fashion industry peers who criticized his choices. Adidas and Balenciaga terminated their lucrative contracts with him resulting in a massive loss of net worth. West continues to release music but has lost his standing in the corporate and fashion worlds.

Azealia Banks

The rapper burst onto the scene with the hit song ‘212’ but quickly became known more for her conflicts than her music. She used social media to launch homophobic and racist attacks against Zayn Malik and Sarah Palin among others. Her Twitter account was suspended multiple times for violating terms of service regarding harassment. Actor Russell Crowe removed her from a party after she allegedly threatened guests and behaved erratically. Her constant feuds have overshadowed her musical talent and limited her professional opportunities.

Shane Dawson

The YouTube pioneer amassed millions of subscribers with his documentary-style content and sketch comedy. His past caught up with him when old videos resurfaced featuring blackface and inappropriate jokes about minors. The internet community turned on him and YouTube demonetized his channels. Target and Morphe pulled his merchandise and makeup collaborations from their shelves. Dawson took a long hiatus and his return videos have not achieved the same cultural dominance he once held.

Jeffree Star

The beauty mogul and influencer faced his own reckoning during the fallout known as Dramageddon. He was accused of using racist language and bullying fellow influencers including James Charles. Morphe cut ties with Star and ceased selling his popular cosmetics line in their stores. Investigative videos exposed his role in orchestrating takedowns of rival content creators. While he retains a loyal fanbase he has largely retreated from the Los Angeles beauty scene to a ranch in Wyoming.

David Dobrik

The leader of the Vlog Squad built his massive following on high-energy pranks and stunts. This dynamic came under fire when a former member alleged sexual assault occurred during a video shoot orchestrated by Dobrik. Another stunt involving an excavator resulted in severe injuries to friend Jeff Wittek. Sponsors like DoorDash and SeatGeek quickly distanced themselves from the creator. Dobrik stepped down from the board of his app Dispo and paused his uploads for months.

Jeremy Clarkson

The ‘Top Gear’ host was the face of one of the most popular television programs in the world. His time at the BBC ended after he physically assaulted a producer during a dispute over catering. The network decided not to renew his contract despite the show’s immense profitability. His co-hosts followed him to Amazon Prime but the incident remains a permanent mark on his record. He recently faced renewed backlash for a newspaper column attacking Meghan Markle.

Isaiah Washington

The actor played a leading role in the early seasons of the medical drama ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. He was fired from the show after using a homophobic slur during an on-set argument with Patrick Dempsey. The slur was directed at co-star T.R. Knight and Washington later repeated the word in front of press at the Golden Globes. The incident sparked a major conversation about homophobia in Hollywood and derailed his mainstream momentum. He has since appeared in smaller projects but never regained his A-list status.

Thomas Gibson

The actor was a staple on the long-running procedural ‘Criminal Minds’ for over a decade. He was dismissed from the series after kicking a writer in the shin during a creative dispute. This was not his first incident as he had previously attended anger management for pushing a producer. The showrunners wrote his character off immediately without a proper goodbye scene. Gibson has worked very little in the industry since his termination in 2016.

Charlie Sheen

The actor was the highest-paid star on television during his time on ‘Two and a Half Men’. Production was halted and he was eventually fired after he publicly insulted creator Chuck Lorre in a series of erratic interviews. Sheen embarked on a bizarre live tour claiming he was winning while his personal life spiraled. His public breakdown became a media spectacle that overshadowed his acting abilities. Although he later expressed regret his career as a leading television star never fully recovered.

Matt Lauer

The ‘Today’ show anchor was a fixture of morning television for over twenty years. NBC fired him overnight after a colleague reported inappropriate sexual behavior in the workplace. Reports detailed a pattern of power abuse that included a button under his desk to lock the door from the inside. Lauer denied some specifics but admitted there was enough truth in the stories to warrant apology. He has been completely absent from broadcasting since his termination.

Bill O’Reilly

The political commentator hosted the top-rated show on Fox News for many years. His tenure ended after it was revealed that he and the network had paid millions to settle harassment claims. Advertisers fled his program in droves as the details of the settlements became public. Fox News eventually forced him out despite his high ratings. O’Reilly moved to podcasting and online broadcasting but lost his massive cable platform.

Columbus Short

The actor gained fame as Harrison Wright on the hit Shonda Rhimes series ‘Scandal’. He was written off the show following allegations of domestic violence and a bar fight. Short admitted that substance abuse issues contributed to his violent behavior and professional downfall. He faced legal consequences including probation and jail time for his actions. His acting credits have been sporadic and low-profile since leaving the hit drama.

Chris Noth

The ‘Sex and the City’ actor was enjoying a career revival with ‘And Just Like That’ and ‘The Equalizer’. Two women approached The Hollywood Reporter with sexual assault allegations shortly after the premiere of the HBO reboot. Noth was promptly killed off in the season finale of the spin-off show. CBS also fired him from his regular role on ‘The Equalizer’. He lost a reported twelve million dollar deal for his tequila brand amid the scandal.

Ezra Miller

The actor was set to be a cornerstone of the DC cinematic universe as The Flash. A series of arrests in Hawaii for disorderly conduct and harassment raised alarms at the studio. Video footage surfaced appearing to show Miller choking a woman at a bar in Iceland. Further allegations involved grooming minors and running a cult-like environment at a farm in Vermont. Miller sought treatment for complex mental health issues but the release of their solo film was marred by the controversy.

Jonathan Majors

The actor was poised to become the next great villain of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He was arrested in New York City on charges of assault and harassment involving his former girlfriend. A jury found him guilty of reckless assault and harassment in the third degree. Marvel Studios dropped him from all future projects immediately following the verdict. His management company and public relations firm also severed ties with the actor.

Tell us in the comments which of these celebrity downfalls surprised you the most.