Celebs with a Shocking History of Violence
You know how celebrities often seem to have it all together with their glamorous lives and big smiles on camera. But sometimes the reality behind the scenes tells a different story full of unexpected troubles. A lot of famous people have dealt with serious issues involving violence that caught everyone off guard. These moments remind us that no one is perfect no matter how much spotlight they get.
From heated arguments turning physical to outright assaults these histories have led to arrests court cases and public apologies. Some celebs have worked through their pasts while others continue to face consequences. Either way learning about these events shows the human side of stardom where mistakes can happen to anyone.
Chris Brown
Chris Brown faced charges after an altercation with his girlfriend Rihanna in 2009 right before the Grammys. He hit her several times in the face and arms while driving and also bit her ear and fingers. The incident left her with bruises and cuts that needed medical attention.
He accepted a plea deal for felony assault and got five years of probation along with community labor and domestic violence classes. Over the years he had more run-ins like breaking a window at a TV studio and fighting with another singer in a parking lot.
Sean Penn
Sean Penn had a rocky marriage with Madonna in the 1980s that included physical fights. He once tied her up for hours and hit her which led to her calling the police for help. She later dropped the charges but the event made headlines.
He also got into scuffles with photographers often punching them or damaging their equipment. In one case he dangled a man over a balcony and in another he kicked someone leading to battery charges and community service.
Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson served time after a 1992 conviction for raping a beauty pageant contestant in his hotel room. He forced himself on her despite her protests and she reported it right away with injuries confirmed by doctors. He spent three years in prison for the crime.
He also admitted to hitting his ex-wife Robin Givens during their short marriage. In the ring he bit off part of Evander Holyfield’s ear during a fight which got him suspended from boxing for a while.
Mark Wahlberg
Mark Wahlberg attacked two Vietnamese men in 1988 using a stick and racial slurs. He knocked one unconscious and punched the other in the eye causing permanent damage. Police arrested him at the scene.
He served 45 days in jail after pleading guilty to assault. Earlier as a teen he threw rocks at Black schoolchildren and harassed them with insults leading to a civil rights lawsuit against him.
Ike Turner
Ike Turner repeatedly hurt his wife Tina Turner throughout their relationship in the 1960s and 1970s. He punched her burned her with cigarettes and even broke her nose once. She described many beatings in her book.
Their fights often happened before shows but she kept performing. Tina finally left him after a bad fight in 1976 where he attacked her in a car on the way to a hotel.
James Brown
James Brown chased his wife with a gun in 1988 after hitting her with a pipe. He shot at her car during the pursuit and police caught him after a high-speed chase across states. He had drugs and weapons in his system.
He spent time in prison for the charges and had earlier arrests for beating other partners. In one incident he fired shots into a room full of people during an argument at his office.
Dr. Dre
Dr. Dre assaulted journalist Dee Barnes in 1991 at a party by slamming her head against a wall and kicking her. He also threw her down stairs causing bruises and cuts. She sued him and they settled out of court.
He admitted to hurting his ex-girlfriend Michel’le during their time together. She said he punched her blacked her eye and even broke her nose multiple times.
Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen held a knife to his wife’s throat in 2009 during a Christmas argument in Colorado. She called emergency services fearing for her life and he got arrested for assault and threats. The case ended with a plea to misdemeanor assault.
He had prior incidents like shooting at an ex-fiancée accidentally and destroying hotel rooms in rages. Another girlfriend accused him of choking her which led to a restraining order.
Johnny Depp
Johnny Depp and Amber Heard accused each other of abuse during their marriage in the 2010s. She said he threw a phone at her face and grabbed her hair in fights. Audio recordings captured heated arguments with threats.
He lost a libel case in the UK over being called a wife-beater. In a US trial he won defamation against her claims but both had to pay damages for their statements.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt got into a physical altercation with his son on a plane in 2016 while arguing with Angelina Jolie. Authorities investigated him for child abuse but cleared him later. Jolie filed for divorce soon after.
She accused him of grabbing her head and shaking her during the flight. He also poured drinks on her and the kids according to court papers from their custody battle.
Conor McGregor
Conor McGregor threw a dolly at a bus in 2018 shattering a window and injuring fighters inside. The attack happened at a UFC event over a rivalry and he turned himself in to police. He pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct.
He punched an older man in a Dublin pub in 2019 after a drink refusal caught on video. The victim needed hospital care and McGregor paid a fine after admitting fault.
Suge Knight
Suge Knight ran over two men with his truck in 2015 killing one outside a burger stand. The incident followed an argument on a movie set and witnesses saw him reverse over the victims. He claimed self-defense.
He had earlier convictions for assaulting people at awards shows and parties. In one case he stomped on a man’s head leading to probation violations and more jail time.
Vince Neil
Vince Neil caused a car crash in 1984 while drunk killing his passenger and hurting others. He lost control and hit oncoming traffic. Courts sentenced him to jail time probation and restitution payments.
He later choked a woman at a club in 2003 leading to battery charges. In 2016 he pulled a woman’s hair outside a hotel and faced another assault case.
Gérard Depardieu
Gérard Depardieu faced charges for raping an actress in 2018 during rehearsals at his home. She reported he assaulted her twice and more women came forward with similar stories. His trial is upcoming.
He admitted in old interviews to past assaults on women though he later disputed the translations. Over a dozen accusers described unwanted advances and groping.
Andy Dick
Andy Dick groped a teenage girl in 2008 and exposed himself leading to arrest for battery. He pleaded guilty and got probation with counseling. Police also found drugs on him.
He assaulted an Uber driver in 2019 by hitting him in the head. A court convicted him and ordered him to register as a sex offender after other similar incidents.
Josh Brolin
Josh Brolin roughed up his wife Diane Lane in 2004 during an argument at home. She called police and he got arrested for spousal battery. They dropped charges but divorced later.
He had bar fights including punching a man in Louisiana in 2008. Security broke it up and he avoided charges but the event added to his record.
Gary Oldman
Gary Oldman’s ex-wife said he choked her with a phone cord in 2001 while she held their child. She called emergency services during the attack. They divorced after and she got custody.
He denied the claims but lost an Oscar buzz temporarily. The incident resurfaced during award seasons with public scrutiny.
Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender’s ex-girlfriend accused him of dragging her by a car in 2010 breaking her nose. She filed for a restraining order detailing assaults. She withdrew it later.
Another incident involved him throwing her over a chair hurting her ankle. Medical records supported her injuries from the events.
Terrence Howard
Terrence Howard punched his wife in 2013 during a trip causing facial injuries. She got a restraining order after reporting threats and attacks. He admitted to slapping her in court.
He had earlier arrests for assaulting a flight attendant and ex-partners. One ex said he stalked her and broke into her home.
Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson threatened his girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva in 2010 with recorded rants including hitting her. She had a black eye and broken teeth from the punch. He pleaded no contest to battery.
He faced probation and counseling for the charge. Earlier he assaulted officers during a DUI arrest with aggressive behavior.
What celeb’s story surprised you the most share your thoughts in the comments.