Celebs Who Stood by Friends Accused of Serious Crimes

Hollywood is an industry where personal loyalty and professional reputation frequently collide, especially when high-profile figures face serious legal allegations. While many stars distance themselves from controversy to protect their careers, others choose to publicly support their friends and colleagues through trials and public scandals. These acts of loyalty often result in intense public backlash and heated debates regarding the ethics of standing by someone accused of severe crimes. The following list examines twenty celebrities who maintained their support for peers facing significant legal and moral scrutiny.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin has remained a vocal supporter of director Woody Allen throughout years of sexual abuse allegations. Baldwin, who starred in Allen’s films such as ‘To Rome with Love’, has publicly described the director as a friend and a professional inspiration. He criticized other actors for distancing themselves from Allen, calling the industry backlash a “mischaracterization” of the filmmaker’s history. Baldwin consistently maintained that his support was based on his positive personal experiences and the results of previous investigations.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher submitted a formal letter to the court supporting Danny Masterson during his trial for multiple counts of forcible rape. In the document, Kutcher highlighted Masterson’s history of discouraging drug use among their ‘That ’70s Show’ cast members. He described his long-time friend as a person of high integrity who had been a significant part of his life since 1998. The actor faced significant public scrutiny after the contents of the letter were revealed following Masterson’s conviction and sentencing.

Ben Affleck

Ben Affleck stood by his brother Casey Affleck when the latter faced allegations of sexual harassment during the filming of ‘I’m Still Here’. While Casey eventually settled the civil lawsuits out of court, Ben continued to support his brother’s career and public appearances. During the 2017 awards season, the elder Affleck was frequently seen celebrating Casey’s professional achievements in the media. Ben has avoided making detailed public statements regarding the specific allegations but has maintained a close sibling bond throughout the controversy.

Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton has frequently defended her long-time collaborator and former partner Woody Allen against allegations of misconduct. In 2018, she reaffirmed her support via social media, stating that Allen remained her friend and that she continued to believe his denials. Keaton, who won an Oscar for her role in ‘Annie Hall’, has worked with Allen on numerous projects over several decades. She has consistently pointed to the findings of past investigations to justify her continued loyalty to the filmmaker.

Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu faced criticism after making comments during a 2019 concert that were perceived as supportive of R. Kelly. The singer suggested that the public should offer prayers for the disgraced musician while he faced numerous charges related to sexual abuse. She later clarified her stance on social media, noting that she supports victims but also believes in seeing the “light” in everyone. Badu’s comments sparked a significant debate about the separation of an artist’s personal crimes from their creative legacy.

Helena Bonham Carter

Helena Bonham Carter publicly defended Johnny Depp following the high-profile legal battles regarding his relationship with Amber Heard. In an interview with ‘The Times’, the actress stated that Depp had been “completely vindicated” by the jury’s verdict in his defamation trial. She characterized the public’s reaction to the allegations as a “witch hunt” and stood by her ‘Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ co-star. Bonham Carter emphasized that Depp’s character remained intact in her view despite the domestic abuse accusations.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster remained a steadfast supporter of Mel Gibson after his 2006 arrest and subsequent industry blacklisting for anti-Semitic remarks. Foster cast Gibson as the lead in her 2011 film ‘The Beaver’ at a time when many other directors refused to work with him. She has described Gibson as one of the “most loved” people in the film industry and a loyal friend. Foster has consistently advocated for Gibson’s professional rehabilitation, citing his personal growth and talent as reasons for her support.

Judi Dench

Judi Dench expressed her disapproval of the decision to replace Kevin Spacey in the film ‘All the Money in the World’ following sexual misconduct allegations. At a film festival, she voiced her support for Spacey’s acting ability and questioned whether his body of work should be erased from history. Dench, who worked with Spacey on the film ‘The Shipping News’, referred to him as a “good friend” and an “inestimable” talent. She argued that the personal lives of artists should be treated separately from their professional contributions.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber has maintained a public friendship with Chris Brown despite Brown’s 2009 felony assault conviction involving Rihanna. Bieber has frequently collaborated with Brown on music and defended him against critics on various social media platforms. In one instance, the singer compared Brown to legendary artists Michael Jackson and Tupac Shakur, suggesting the public would regret not appreciating his talent. Bieber’s support has often centered on themes of forgiveness and the possibility of personal redemption for his peer.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan publicly supported Harvey Weinstein shortly after the first wave of sexual assault allegations against him surfaced in 2017. In a video posted to her Instagram account, she stated that she felt “very bad” for the producer and did not believe the accusations were entirely fair. Lohan, who worked on films distributed by Weinstein’s companies, called for his then-wife Georgina Chapman to stand by him. She eventually deleted the posts following a significant negative reaction from the public and advocacy groups.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis joined her husband Ashton Kutcher in writing a character reference letter for Danny Masterson during his criminal trial. Kunis described Masterson as an “exceptional older brother figure” who played a vital role in her upbringing on the set of ‘That ’70s Show’. She vouched for his character and his commitment to leading a drug-free life over the twenty-five years she had known him. Like her husband, Kunis faced intense criticism when the letters became public knowledge after the guilty verdict.

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman was one of the many high-profile celebrities who signed a 2009 petition seeking the release of director Roman Polanski. The petition was drafted after Polanski was arrested in Switzerland regarding his 1977 case involving the drugging and rape of a minor. Portman’s signature represented a stance shared by many in the industry at the time who viewed the legal proceedings as unjust. However, in 2018, she expressed deep regret for signing the document, noting that the culture of the industry had shifted significantly.

Phylicia Rashād

Phylicia Rashād publicly celebrated when Bill Cosby’s sexual assault conviction was vacated by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 2021. Rashād, who played Cosby’s wife on ‘The Cosby Show’, posted on social media that a “terrible wrong” had finally been corrected. Her comments drew immediate backlash from the public and the university where she served as a dean at the time. She later issued a clarification, expressing her support for survivors of sexual assault while maintaining her personal loyalty to Cosby.

Rihanna

Rihanna surprised the public by reconciling with Chris Brown several years after his 2009 assault against her. The two collaborated on the remix of her song ‘Birthday Cake’ in 2012, signaling a professional and personal truce. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey on ‘Oprah’s Next Chapter’, Rihanna explained that they had worked on their friendship and remained close. She stated that she had forgiven him and wanted to see him succeed despite the severity of the past incident.

Robert Downey Jr.

Robert Downey Jr. used his acceptance speech at the 2011 American Cinematheque Awards to ask the industry to forgive Mel Gibson. He detailed how Gibson had helped him secure work and insurance during his own career struggles following legal issues and drug addiction. Downey Jr. requested that the “town” offer Gibson the same “second chance” that allowed him to rebuild his own life. The two actors have remained close friends for over three decades, often appearing together at industry events.

Robert Kardashian

Robert Kardashian reactivated his law license specifically to join the defense team for O.J. Simpson during his 1995 murder trial. As a long-time friend of Simpson, Kardashian served as a member of the “Dream Team” that ultimately secured an acquittal. His involvement in the case was motivated by personal loyalty and a belief in his friend’s innocence despite the physical evidence presented. The trial had a lasting impact on Kardashian’s public image and his family’s eventual rise to fame.

Scarlett Johansson

Scarlett Johansson defended Woody Allen in a 2019 interview, stating that she believed the director’s denials regarding sexual abuse allegations. Johansson, who starred in Allen’s films ‘Match Point’ and ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’, expressed her willingness to work with him again. She noted that she had spoken directly with Allen about the situation and was satisfied with his explanation of the events. Her stance stood in contrast to many of her peers who pledged to never work with the director again.

Sharon Stone

Sharon Stone voiced her support for Kevin Spacey in 2024, stating that she was eager for him to return to the acting world. Following Spacey’s acquittals in various sexual misconduct trials, Stone praised his professional talent and characterized him as a “genius.” She argued that the industry should move past the allegations and allow the actor to resume his career. Stone’s comments highlighted a divide in Hollywood regarding the rehabilitation of actors accused of serious offenses.

Tyrese Gibson

Tyrese Gibson publicly defended R. Kelly on social media while the musician was facing a resurgence of sexual abuse allegations in 2019. Gibson suggested that R. Kelly’s musical contributions should not be overshadowed by his personal legal battles. He called for a focus on the artist’s “soul” and expressed a desire for the singer to find peace amidst the controversy. The actor and singer’s comments were met with significant pushback from fans and advocacy groups focused on the stories of the victims.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg sparked controversy on ‘The View’ by defending director Roman Polanski regarding his 1977 statutory rape case. In 2009, she stated that his actions did not constitute “rape-rape” in the context of the specific legal circumstances surrounding the incident. Goldberg also initially expressed skepticism regarding the volume of sexual assault allegations against Bill Cosby before more evidence was presented. She has frequently used her platform to argue for due process and careful consideration of legal facts in celebrity scandals.

Please share your thoughts on these celebrity friendships and public defenses in the comments.