Actresses Who Blew Through Their Entire Fortunes

The world of Hollywood often presents an image of permanent wealth and glamour but many successful stars have faced devastating financial collapses. Whether through legal battles and mismanagement or personal struggles and extravagant spending these women saw their multi million dollar earnings vanish. Maintaining a lifestyle of the rich and famous requires immense financial discipline that some found impossible to sustain. The following list examines actresses who navigated the heights of fame only to encounter significant economic hardship.

Kim Basinger

The actress known for her role in ‘L.A. Confidential’ experienced a massive financial setback after purchasing the town of Braselton Georgia in 1989. This investment was intended to turn the area into a tourist attraction but it ultimately led to her filing for bankruptcy in 1993. Legal battles over a withdrawn movie contract further depleted her earnings and forced her to liquidate significant assets. Despite her success in films like ‘Batman’ she struggled for years to regain her financial stability. Her story remains one of the most famous examples of high stakes real estate deals gone wrong in Hollywood.

Toni Braxton

Though primarily known as a singer she starred in projects like ‘Kingdom Come’ and her own reality series. Toni Braxton filed for bankruptcy twice in her career due to a combination of low royalty rates and high personal spending. Her financial issues were compounded by health problems that forced her to cancel lucrative performances. She lost the rights to many of her own songs during the legal proceedings. Despite these challenges she has worked tirelessly to rebuild her brand and return to the spotlight.

Lindsay Lohan

The star of ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘The Parent Trap’ earned tens of millions during her peak years as a child and teen sensation. Her fortune began to dwindle as she faced numerous legal issues and personal struggles that impacted her ability to work. Unpaid taxes and high living expenses eventually led to the Internal Revenue Service seizing her bank accounts. She famously struggled to pay rent on her London home during a particularly difficult period. Her journey reflects the immense pressure and financial volatility often faced by young stars.

Pamela Anderson

The ‘Baywatch’ icon earned a significant income during the height of her television career and various film roles. She faced severe financial difficulties due to outstanding tax debts and expensive construction projects on her Malibu home. These issues forced her to put her properties on the market and relocate to a more modest living situation. Legal fees and personal transitions also contributed to the depletion of her wealth over several years. She has since moved back to her native Canada to live a more grounded life.

Courtney Love

The actress featured in ‘The People vs. Larry Flynt’ reportedly lost a massive portion of the estate left by her late husband. She claimed that millions of dollars were stolen by accountants and lawyers through years of mismanagement. Her lifestyle and legal disputes further eroded her remaining wealth until she was forced to sell rights to her music catalog. At one point she admitted that most of the money from the Nirvana era was simply gone. She has been vocal about the importance of financial oversight in the entertainment industry.

Mischa Barton

The breakout star of ‘The O.C.’ faced a series of financial hurdles as her career trajectory shifted. She dealt with a foreclosure on her Beverly Hills home and a lawsuit against her own mother for alleged financial mismanagement. Her earnings from her time as a teen idol were quickly exhausted by legal fees and a lack of consistent acting roles. She also faced litigation from production companies over missed appearances. These factors combined to create a significant deficit in her personal wealth.

Teresa Giudice

As a star of ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey’ she lived a highly publicized life of luxury before legal troubles emerged. She and her husband filed for bankruptcy in 2009 while revealing millions of dollars in debt. This situation eventually led to federal charges for fraud and a prison sentence for both parties. Most of her initial fortune was used to pay restitution and legal expenses. She has since worked to pay off her debts through book deals and continued television appearances.

Zsa Zsa Gabor

This legendary Hollywood socialite and actress appeared in films like ‘Moulin Rouge’ and lived a life of extreme extravagance. Her fortune was heavily impacted by her involvement with a massive Ponzi scheme that stripped away millions of dollars. She also faced numerous legal battles and health issues that required expensive long term care. By the end of her life her husband was forced to sell their mansion and many of her belongings to cover costs. Her name became synonymous with Hollywood glamour but her final years were marked by financial strain.

Judy Garland

The iconic star of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ earned vast sums of money during her decades long career in film and music. Despite her status she suffered from severe financial mismanagement by her agents and family members. She was plagued by tax debts and spent her final years performing in clubs to make ends meet. When she passed away she was reportedly hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt to the government. Her story is a tragic example of how even the biggest stars can be left with nothing.

Debbie Reynolds

The star of ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ faced financial ruin due to the business failures of her second husband. She was forced to file for bankruptcy after a hotel and casino project in Las Vegas went under. To pay off her debts she spent years performing on cruise ships and in small venues across the country. She also famously auctioned off her massive collection of Hollywood memorabilia to settle her accounts. Her resilience in the face of bankruptcy earned her great respect in the industry.

Lena Headey

The ‘Game of Thrones’ actress famously revealed during a divorce proceeding that she had very little money left in her bank account. Legal fees and the costs associated with her separation left her in a precarious financial position despite her role on a hit series. She was forced to sell her home in Los Angeles at a loss to cover her immediate expenses. Her situation highlighted how high profile television work does not always guarantee long term wealth. She has since continued her career but has spoken openly about the stress of financial insecurity.

Kelly Rutherford

Known for her role in ‘Gossip Girl’ this actress filed for bankruptcy following an exhaustive international custody battle. She spent an estimated 1.5 million dollars on legal fees while trying to keep her children in the United States. The costs of constant travel and high end attorneys completely drained her savings. She was eventually forced to live with friends after losing her home and her assets. Her legal struggles became a public focal point for the financial toll of family court.

Tori Spelling

The daughter of a legendary television producer grew up in extreme wealth and starred in ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ for a decade. She faced significant financial issues after receiving only a small fraction of her father’s multi million dollar estate. Years of high spending habits and a large family led to multiple lawsuits from credit card companies and the government. She has documented her struggles with debt on various reality shows and in her memoirs. Her story serves as a cautionary tale about the transition from inherited wealth to self sufficiency.

Loni Anderson

This ‘WKRP in Cincinnati’ star enjoyed a successful career but faced a financial crisis following her divorce from Burt Reynolds. The legal battle and subsequent lifestyle changes led her to file for bankruptcy in the mid 1990s. She reportedly owed over a million dollars to various creditors including several high end boutiques. The decline in her acting opportunities made it difficult to service her debts. She eventually settled her financial obligations but her fortune never returned to its previous heights.

Tionne Watkins

As a member of the group TLC and an actress in films like ‘Belly’ she experienced the highs and lows of the entertainment world. She filed for bankruptcy multiple times due to medical bills associated with sickle cell anemia and a brain tumor. High mortgage payments and a lack of royalties from her early career also contributed to her financial decline. She lost her home to foreclosure and struggled to maintain her standard of living. Her perseverance through health and wealth struggles has inspired many of her fans.

Margot Kidder

The actress who played Lois Lane in the ‘Superman’ films suffered a highly publicized mental health crisis that impacted her finances. She was found living on the streets in 1996 after her medical bills and lack of work left her destitute. Years of struggling with her health and a lack of insurance led to the total loss of her career earnings. She eventually found stability and returned to acting in smaller roles and independent projects. Her later life was spent as an activist while living a much more modest lifestyle.

Heidi Montag

A prominent figure on the reality series ‘The Hills’ she reportedly blew through a ten million dollar fortune with her husband. The couple spent massive sums on plastic surgery and high end fashion and music videos that failed to generate a profit. They eventually found themselves living in a guest house with no remaining savings. She admitted in interviews that they lived as if the money would never stop flowing. Her experience serves as a modern example of the dangers of sudden reality television fame.

Janice Dickinson

The self proclaimed first supermodel and reality television star filed for bankruptcy in 2013. She cited over one million dollars in debt stemming from unpaid taxes and medical bills for cosmetic procedures. Her lack of a steady income in her later years made it impossible to keep up with her luxurious lifestyle. She lost most of her assets during the proceedings and had to start over financially. She has remained active in the public eye but her days of extreme wealth are behind her.

Doris Day

The legendary actress and singer discovered late in her career that her husband and lawyer had squandered her entire fortune. She was left deeply in debt despite being one of the most successful stars of the 1950s and 1960s. She was forced to work on a television series she did not want to do just to pay off her creditors. A subsequent lawsuit awarded her over twenty million dollars but she only recovered a fraction of that amount. She spent the rest of her life focused on animal activism while living a quiet life.

Veronica Lake

A major film star of the 1940s known for her peek a boo hairstyle she eventually fell into deep poverty. Her career declined due to personal struggles and she was eventually discovered working as a barmaid in a New York hotel. She had lost all of her Hollywood earnings to legal fees and a lack of management. She spent her final years living in a cheap apartment and away from the spotlight. Her tragic decline remains one of the most stark examples of the temporary nature of fame.

Erin Moran

The ‘Happy Days’ actress faced a difficult life after her time as a child star ended. She lost her California home to foreclosure and was eventually forced to live in a trailer park in Indiana. Her career earnings had been depleted by a lack of consistent work and various personal issues. She joined a lawsuit against the studio that produced her hit show to recover unpaid royalties but the settlement was not enough to save her finances. She passed away in 2017 while still facing significant economic hardship.

Mackenzie Phillips

As a star of ‘One Day at a Time’ she earned a significant salary at a very young age. Her long struggle with substance abuse led to her losing her job and spending the majority of her wealth on her addiction. She faced multiple arrests and spent years in and out of treatment centers which further drained her resources. She eventually became a drug counselor to help others while living a much more humble existence. Her journey back from financial and personal ruin has been documented in her autobiography.

Delta Burke

The ‘Designing Women’ star faced financial and personal challenges after she left her hit television series. Legal battles with producers and a decline in leading roles impacted her overall net worth. She also dealt with health issues that required expensive care and affected her ability to maintain a rigorous filming schedule. While she remained active in the industry her days of massive paychecks ended relatively early. She has focused on her health and her marriage in her later years away from the high pressure of Hollywood.

Brett Butler

The comedian and star of the sitcom ‘Grace Under Fire’ saw her career and fortune collapse due to addiction. She was eventually fired from her show and spent years in a homeless shelter after her money ran out. Her significant earnings from the series were lost to the costs of her lifestyle and a lack of professional management. She eventually achieved sobriety and returned to smaller roles on television shows like ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘The Leftovers’. Her recovery is a testament to her strength despite losing her initial fortune.

Yasmine Bleeth

A star of ‘Baywatch’ and ‘Nash Bridges’ she was one of the most recognizable faces on television in the 1990s. Her career came to an abrupt halt due to personal struggles and legal issues related to her lifestyle. The costs of her legal defense and time away from the industry led to the exhaustion of her savings. She eventually left Hollywood entirely to focus on her personal well being and has lived a private life since. Her story reflects the rapid decline that can occur when personal issues interfere with professional success.

Amanda Bynes

The child star of ‘The Amanda Show’ and films like ‘Hairspray’ built a massive fortune before her career stalled. A series of public incidents and legal troubles led to her being placed under a conservatorship by her parents. Her medical expenses and a lack of new projects significantly reduced her available funds during her years away from the screen. She eventually sought an education in fashion design to start a new chapter in her life. The management of her remaining assets was a central focus of her legal proceedings for many years.

Tia Carrere

The ‘Wayne’s World’ actress filed for bankruptcy early in her career to get out of a contract that she felt was unfair. The legal maneuver cost her a significant portion of her early earnings but allowed her to pursue bigger opportunities. She eventually rebuilt her career and found success in ‘Lilo and Stitch’ and other major projects. Her decision was a calculated risk that illustrated the extreme measures some actresses take to control their professional lives. She has since maintained a steady career in both acting and music.

Sondra Locke

The Academy Award nominated actress faced a devastating financial blow during her legal battles with Clint Eastwood. She sued her former partner for fraud and later for blocking her career opportunities through a sham production deal. The legal fees associated with these high profile cases lasted for years and depleted her savings. Although she eventually reached a settlement the process took a significant toll on her health and wealth. She lived a quiet life focused on her health before passing away in 2018.

Cybill Shepherd

The star of ‘Moonlighting’ and ‘Cybill’ faced various financial hurdles throughout her long career in the industry. She dealt with significant tax issues that required her to work consistently to pay off the government. Her earnings were also impacted by the high costs of maintaining a celebrity lifestyle and several personal transitions. While she never became completely destitute her financial situation was often more precarious than the public realized. She has continued to work in independent films and television guest spots to remain active.

Hedy Lamarr

A legendary actress and inventor from the Golden Age of Hollywood she faced major financial struggles in her later years. Despite her brilliance and her contributions to communication technology she lived on a small social security check. She faced legal issues involving shoplifting and spent much of her remaining money on lawyers and failed lawsuits. Her final decades were spent in relative seclusion in a modest Florida home. It was only after her death that the true value of her scientific contributions was widely recognized.

Frances Farmer

The promising star of the 1930s saw her career and fortune vanish after a series of involuntary commitments to mental institutions. Her legal and medical expenses were vast and she had no control over her own finances for many years. When she was finally released she was forced to work as a hotel clerk and in other service jobs to survive. She eventually found a second career as a local television host in Indiana. Her life remains a tragic story of how the studio system and the law could strip a star of their dignity and wealth.

Shannen Doherty

The ‘Charmed’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210’ actress faced financial stress due to a combination of legal issues and medical bills. She famously sued her former management team for allowing her health insurance to lapse during a critical time. The ongoing costs of her long battle with cancer also put a significant strain on her resources. She spoke openly about the financial burden of chronic illness and the importance of proper professional oversight. Her resilience in the face of both health and financial challenges has been widely admired.

Maureen McCormick

Known as Marcia Brady on ‘The Brady Bunch’ she struggled with addiction and a lack of work after the show ended. She spent much of her early earnings on her lifestyle and found herself in a difficult financial position for many years. She eventually wrote a memoir about her struggles and returned to reality television to rebuild her public image. Her experience is a common one among child stars who struggle to find their footing as adults. She has since found stability and continues to appear in various entertainment projects.

Lisa Robin Kelly

The actress from ‘That 70s Show’ saw her career and fortune disappear after a series of personal and legal troubles. She was eventually written off her hit show and struggled to find consistent work in the industry. Her remaining money was spent on legal fees and various personal issues that plagued her later years. She passed away in a treatment center after a long period of instability and financial ruin. Her story is often cited as a cautionary tale about the pitfalls of sudden television success.

Dana Plato

The ‘Diff’rent Strokes’ star experienced a rapid decline after leaving the series that made her famous. She lost her childhood fortune to a dishonest accountant and struggled to find acting roles as an adult. Her desperation led to a 1991 arrest for armed robbery of a video store and later for forging prescriptions. She lived in a motor home during her final years and faced extreme poverty until her death. Her life remains one of the most heartbreaking examples of the struggle faced by former child actors.

Jaime Pressly

The ‘My Name is Earl’ actress faced a significant tax debt that forced her into a difficult financial situation. The IRS filed liens against her for over six hundred thousand dollars in unpaid taxes from several years of earnings. She worked hard to resolve these issues by taking on various television and film roles. She has since spoken about the importance of understanding financial documents and being involved in one’s own business affairs. Her transparency about her tax problems helped demystify the financial struggles of Hollywood stars.

Gaby Hoffmann

As a child star in ‘Field of Dreams’ and ‘Sleepless in Seattle’ she earned a substantial amount of money early in her life. She later revealed that most of her childhood earnings were gone by the time she reached adulthood. She lived in a hotel with her mother for a period and had to start her career over from scratch as an adult. She has since become a critically acclaimed actress in series like ‘Girls’ and ‘Transparent’. Her journey highlights the vulnerability of children whose finances are managed by others.

Dominique Swain

The star of ‘Lolita’ and ‘Face/Off’ found it difficult to maintain her early success as she transitioned into independent films. The lack of major studio paychecks and the costs of living in Los Angeles depleted her initial savings. She has continued to work frequently in the horror and thriller genres but on much smaller budgets than her early work. Her financial situation reflected the common reality for actors who remain working but lose their top tier status. She remains an active member of the Hollywood community.

Tara Reid

The ‘American Pie’ actress became a fixture of the tabloid scene which eventually impacted her professional opportunities. High spending and a lack of leading roles in major films led to a decline in her net worth. She faced public criticism for her lifestyle choices and found herself working primarily in low budget genre films like ‘Sharknado’. While the latter became a cult success it did not return her to the level of wealth she once enjoyed. She has continued to work in the industry while managing the ups and downs of fame.

Jena Malone

The actress from ‘Stepmom’ and ‘The Hunger Games’ sued her mother for the mismanagement of her career earnings. She claimed that over a million dollars had been spent without her consent or knowledge while she was a minor. This legal battle was a necessary step to protect her future but highlighted the loss of her early fortune. She has since built a successful career as an adult in both mainstream and independent cinema. Her case is often used as an example of the importance of the Coogan Law for child actors.

Martha Raye

A major star of film and television for decades she faced a difficult financial end due to family disputes and medical costs. Her seventh husband was accused of spending her fortune while she was in declining health. This led to a public and painful legal battle over her remaining assets and her care. By the time she passed away much of her legendary wealth had been exhausted by these conflicts. She was a beloved entertainer who spent her final years in a state of financial and personal turmoil.

Peggy Lipton

The ‘Mod Squad’ and ‘Twin Peaks’ star faced financial challenges after a long hiatus from the acting world. She lost a significant amount of money through a bad investment deal that promised high returns but failed. This forced her to return to acting in her later years to secure her financial future. She found success again in television but remained cautious about her finances for the rest of her life. Her experience taught her the value of being skeptical of get rich quick schemes in the business world.

Linda Evans

The ‘Dynasty’ star enjoyed immense wealth during the 1980s but faced a different reality after the show ended. She reportedly lost a large portion of her savings to a financial advisor who engaged in risky investments. She eventually left Hollywood to live a quieter life in Washington state but had to manage a more limited budget. Her transition from the glamour of prime time television to a modest lifestyle was a significant change. She has occasionally returned to the screen for special projects and guest appearances.

Barbara Harris

This Tony Award winning actress and star of ‘Freaky Friday’ walked away from Hollywood at the height of her career. Her lack of interest in the business side of the industry led to a decline in her financial status over time. She lived a very simple life in her later years and had no interest in the luxury associated with her former fame. While she was not destitute she certainly did not maintain the fortune she could have amassed. She remained content with her decision to leave the spotlight until her death.

Susan Anton

A major star of the 1970s and 1980s she faced financial setbacks due to changing trends in the entertainment industry. Her earnings from films and Las Vegas residencies were impacted by shifts in management and personal investments. She worked consistently to maintain her lifestyle but the era of massive paydays eventually passed. She has remained a respected performer in theater and live shows while living a more grounded life. Her career longevity is a result of her ability to adapt to new financial realities.

Natasha Lyonne

The ‘American Pie’ actress experienced a period of extreme financial and personal instability in the early 2000s. Her struggles led to a lack of work and a depletion of the wealth she had earned as a young star. She faced legal issues and health problems that required a total reset of her life and career. She eventually made a massive comeback with ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘Russian Doll’. Her story is one of the most successful examples of a full recovery from professional and financial ruin.

Nichelle Nichols

The ‘Star Trek’ icon faced a difficult financial situation late in her life that became a matter of public legal record. Her son and former manager engaged in a bitter dispute over her finances and her care as she dealt with health issues. The legal fees from this battle and the mismanagement of her assets put a strain on her estate. Fans even launched fundraising efforts to help support her during her final years. Her legacy as a pioneer remains intact despite the financial challenges she faced at the end.

Lisa Marie Presley

The daughter of the King of Rock and Roll and an actress in several projects saw her massive inheritance disappear over time. She sued her former business manager for losing a hundred million dollar fortune through poor investments and high spending. At the time of her death she was reportedly millions of dollars in debt to the government and other creditors. Her life was marked by the struggle to manage a legendary estate while dealing with personal loss. She spent much of her final years in litigation to recover what was left of her family wealth.

Anne Heche

The actress known for ‘Six Days Seven Nights’ and ‘Donnie Brasco’ faced financial fluctuations throughout her career. Following her high profile relationship with Ellen DeGeneres she claimed she was blacklisted by major studios which impacted her income. Her personal struggles and legal fees further affected her net worth over the years. At the time of her passing her estate was the subject of legal disputes regarding its actual value and outstanding debts. Her career was a mix of critical acclaim and economic instability.

Amber Heard

Following a highly publicized and expensive legal battle with her former husband this actress faced a significant financial judgment. The costs of the multi year litigation and the final verdict left her in a position where she had to sell assets to cover her obligations. She eventually moved to Europe to live a more private life away from the intense media scrutiny of the trial. Her financial future remains a topic of public discussion as she seeks new projects in the international film scene.

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