The 25 Most Disliked Actors of All Time, Ranked
Everyone has their favorite stars who light up the screen and make movies or shows unforgettable. But sometimes certain performers end up on the other side of that spectrum where fans just do not connect with them for various reasons tied to their work or public moments. It is interesting how public perception can shift based on a mix of on-screen choices and off-screen events that capture attention.
In this list we count down some actors who have drawn strong negative reactions over the years. Whether it is through their roles in big projects or headlines they have made outside of acting these names often come up in discussions about Hollywood figures people love to criticize. Now let us dive into the countdown.
25. Jussie Smollett
Jussie Smollett gained recognition for his role as Jamal Lyon in the musical drama series ‘Empire’ where he portrayed a singer navigating family dynamics. He released music albums and appeared in films like ‘Alien: Covenant’ as a crew member. His work included guest spots on shows such as ‘The Mindy Project’ and advocacy for social issues.
He reported being attacked in Chicago by two men who shouted slurs and placed a noose around his neck in January 2019. Investigators found he staged the incident by paying the men to fake the assault which led to charges of filing a false police report. A jury convicted him on five counts of disorderly conduct for lying to police resulting in a sentence of one 150 days in jail though he served only six before release on appeal.
24. Alec Baldwin
Alec Baldwin starred in films like ‘The Hunt for Red October’ as an analyst and hosted ‘Saturday Night Live’ multiple times impersonating public figures. He led the sitcom ’30 Rock’ as a network executive earning Emmy awards. His voice work included animations such as ‘The Boss Baby’ as the title character.
During a rehearsal on the set of ‘Rust’ in October 2021 he discharged a prop gun loaded with a live round killing cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injuring director Joel Souza. Prosecutors charged him with involuntary manslaughter but a judge dismissed the case in July 2024 due to withheld evidence. He faced civil lawsuits from Hutchins’ family over the incident.
23. Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson directed and starred in ‘Braveheart’ as a Scottish warrior fighting for independence earning Academy Awards for best picture and director. He portrayed a cop in the ‘Lethal Weapon’ series partnering with Danny Glover. His work included historical dramas like ‘The Passion of the Christ’ which he directed focusing on biblical events.
Police arrested him for drunk driving in 2006 where he made antisemitic remarks to officers including blaming Jewish people for wars. Recordings surfaced in 2010 of him using racial slurs and threatening violence against his former girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. These events led to a no contest plea to misdemeanor spousal battery.
22. Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen starred in films like ‘Platoon’ as a soldier and ‘Wall Street’ as a young broker. He led the sitcom ‘Two and a Half Men’ as a hedonistic jingle writer until his departure amid public rants. His catchphrase winning became viral during that period.
Multiple women accused him of failing to disclose his HIV positive status before engaging in unprotected sex with them. One lawsuit claimed he exposed a partner to the virus without informing her leading to a settlement. His history includes arrests for domestic violence against ex-wives Denise Richards and Brooke Mueller.
21. Ezra Miller
Ezra Miller played Barry Allen in the DC films starting with ‘Justice League’ as a speedster hero. They appeared in ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ as a high school student forming friendships. Their roles included fantasy series like ‘Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them’ as a troubled wizard.
Police arrested them in Hawaii in 2022 for disorderly conduct and harassment after incidents at a karaoke bar and a private residence. A couple filed for a restraining order accusing Miller of bursting into their bedroom and threatening them. Parents of an eighteen year old obtained a protective order claiming Miller groomed their child from age twelve supplying drugs and displaying controlling behavior.
20. Shia LaBeouf
Shia LaBeouf starred in the ‘Transformers’ series as a teen involved in robot battles. He led ‘Disturbia’ as a house-arrested youth spying on neighbors. His experimental work included ‘Honey Boy’ which he wrote and starred in drawing from his own life experiences.
Musician FKA Twigs sued him in 2020 accusing him of sexual battery assault and emotional distress during their relationship. She described incidents where he choked her slammed her against a car and knowingly gave her a sexually transmitted disease. Stylist Karolyn Pho accused him of pinning her down and headbutting her causing bleeding.
19. Tyler Perry
Tyler Perry created the Madea character for films like ‘Madea’s Family Reunion’ where he played the tough grandmother solving family issues. He directed and starred in ‘Why Did I Get Married?’ exploring relationship problems. His empire includes owning a studio in Atlanta producing series such as ‘The Oval’.
Actor Christian Keyes filed a 260 million dollar lawsuit in June 2025 accusing Perry of sexual assault during a private meeting. Keyes claimed Perry groped him and made unwanted advances leading to rejection. The suit detailed multiple instances of harassment affecting Keyes’ career.
18. Jared Leto
Jared Leto won an Oscar for his role in ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ as a transgender woman with AIDS. He portrayed the Joker in ‘Suicide Squad’ sending controversial gifts to co-stars. His band Thirty Seconds to Mars released albums with him as lead singer.
Nine women accused him of sexual misconduct in a June 2025 report including forcing kisses and unwanted touching during tours. One woman described him locking her in a room and assaulting her at a party. Accusations spanned years tied to his music and acting events.
17. Woody Allen
Woody Allen directed and starred in ‘Annie Hall’ as a comedian in a complicated romance winning Oscars for best picture and director. He created films like ‘Manhattan’ exploring relationships in New York. His work includes comedies such as ‘Midnight in Paris’ with time travel elements.
His adopted daughter Dylan Farrow accused him of molesting her at age seven in the attic of their home in 1992. She detailed him touching her private parts while she stared at a toy train. Investigations occurred but no charges were filed though custody battles highlighted the claims.
16. Dustin Hoffman
Dustin Hoffman starred in ‘The Graduate’ as a young man seduced by an older woman. He won Oscars for ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’ as a divorcing father and ‘Rain Man’ as an autistic savant. His roles included ‘Tootsie’ dressing as a woman for a soap opera part.
Multiple women accused him of sexual harassment including groping a seventeen year old intern on the set of ‘Death of a Salesman’ in 1985. Another described him exposing himself and making lewd comments during auditions. Accusations emerged in 2017 during the MeToo movement.
15. James Franco
James Franco starred in the ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy as Harry Osborn becoming the villain. He directed and acted in ‘The Disaster Artist’ portraying Tommy Wiseau. His work included comedies like ‘Pineapple Express’ with Seth Rogen.
Five former students sued him in 2019 for sexual exploitation at his acting school including forcing scenes with nudity and simulated sex. He settled the lawsuit for 2.2 million dollars admitting to inappropriate behavior. Accusations involved power imbalances in professional settings.
14. Micheal Ward
Micheal Ward starred in ‘Top Boy’ as a gang leader in London estates. He appeared in ‘The Old Guard’ as a marine immortal. His roles included ‘Blue Story’ exploring rival gangs in South London.
Police charged him in July 2025 with two counts of rape and three counts of sexual assault against a woman. The incidents allegedly occurred between 2021 and 2023. He entered a not guilty plea at an initial hearing.
13. Gérard Depardieu
Gérard Depardieu starred in ‘Cyrano de Bergerac’ as the poet with a large nose earning an Oscar nomination. He appeared in ‘Green Card’ as a Frenchman marrying for citizenship. His work included French films like ‘Jean de Florette’ as a scheming farmer.
A judge ordered him to stand trial for raping and sexually assaulting actress Charlotte Arnould in 2018 at his Paris home. Arnould accused him of assaulting her twice when she was 22. Additional women came forward with similar claims spanning years.
12. Russell Brand
Russell Brand starred in ‘Forgetting Sarah Marshall’ as a rock star ex-boyfriend. He voiced characters in ‘Despicable Me’ as Dr. Nefario. His comedy specials included stand-up tours sharing personal stories.
Police charged him in April 2025 with multiple counts of rape and sexual assault spanning six years. Four women accused him of assaults between 2006 and 2013 including non-consensual acts. He denied the allegations in public statements.
11. Mike Tyson
Mike Tyson appeared in ‘The Hangover’ as himself kidnapping a tiger. He voiced a character in ‘Scoob!’ as a mystery solver. His documentary ‘Tyson’ detailed his boxing career and personal life.
A jury convicted him of raping eighteen year old Desiree Washington in 1992 in an Indianapolis hotel room. He served three years in prison after a six year sentence. In 2023 a woman sued him for raping her in the early 1990s after meeting in a nightclub.
10. R. Kelly
R. Kelly acted in ‘Trapped in the Closet’ as multiple characters in a musical saga. He appeared in films like ‘Sparkle’ as a music producer. His music career included hits but crossed into acting roles.
Federal juries convicted him of producing child sexual abuse materials and sex trafficking in Chicago and New York. He received 30 in New York and 20 in Chicago for abusing young fans including minors over decades. Appeals are ongoing for his convictions.
9. Bill Cosby
Bill Cosby starred in ‘The Cosby Show’ as a doctor father raising his family. He voiced characters in animations like ‘Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids’. His stand-up specials shared family humor stories.
A jury convicted him of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004 at his home. More than 60 women accused him of similar acts spanning decades using sedatives. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the conviction in 2021 due to a prior agreement not to prosecute.
8. Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski directed and acted in ‘The Pianist’ earning an Oscar for directing. He starred in ‘Chinatown’ as a detective uncovering corruption. His films included ‘Rosemary’s Baby’ about a satanic pregnancy.
He pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with thirteen year old Samantha Geimer in 1977 after drugging and raping her at Jack Nicholson’s home. He fled to Europe before sentencing becoming a fugitive. Multiple women accused him of rapes including a ten year old and settled a lawsuit in 2024 for assaulting a minor in 1973.
7. Cuba Gooding Jr.
Cuba Gooding Jr. won an Oscar for ‘Jerry Maguire’ as a football player shouting his catchphrase. He starred in ‘Boyz n the Hood’ as a teen in South Central. His roles included ‘Radio’ as a mentally challenged man.
He pleaded guilty in 2022 to forcibly kissing a nightclub worker in 2018. More than thirty women accused him of groping and unwanted touching in various settings. He settled a lawsuit for raping a woman in 2013.
6. Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey won Oscars for ‘The Usual Suspects’ as a con man and ‘American Beauty’ as a suburban father. He led ‘House of Cards’ as a ruthless politician. His theater work included directing the Old Vic in London.
Multiple men accused him of sexual assault including groping an eighteen year old in a bar in 2016. Anthony Rapp claimed Spacey assaulted him at age fourteen in 1986. A London jury acquitted him in 2023 of assaults on four men.
5. Armie Hammer
Armie Hammer starred in ‘The Social Network’ as the Winklevoss twins suing over Facebook. He led ‘The Lone Ranger’ as the masked hero. His roles included ‘Call Me by Your Name’ as a summer romance interest.
Multiple women accused him of rape and abuse including sending graphic messages about cannibalism fantasies. One woman described him branding her with a knife and tying her up without consent in 2019. Investigations closed without charges in 2023.
4. Jeffrey Jones
Jeffrey Jones played the principal in ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ chasing the truant student. He appeared in ‘Beetlejuice’ as the father moving into a haunted house. His roles included ‘Amadeus’ as Emperor Joseph II.
He pleaded no contest in 2003 to hiring a fourteen year old boy to pose for sexually explicit photos. Sentenced to five years probation he had to register as a sex offender. In 2010 he pleaded guilty to failing to update his registry facing community service.
3. Stephen Collins
Stephen Collins starred in ‘7th Heaven’ as the reverend father guiding his family. He appeared in ‘Star Trek: The Motion Picture’ as a commander. His roles included ‘Tales of the Gold Monkey’ as a pilot adventurer.
He confessed in 2014 to sexual misconduct with three underage girls in 1973, 1982 and 1994. Incidents included exposing himself and placing a ten year old’s hand on his penis. Audio recordings from therapy sessions confirmed the admissions.
2. Danny Masterson
Danny Masterson starred in ‘That ’70s Show’ as the laid-back Steven Hyde. He appeared in ‘The Ranch’ as a rancher brother. His work included films like ‘Yes Man’ with Jim Carrey.
A jury convicted him in 2023 of raping two women in2003 at his home using his Church of Scientology status to avoid consequences. Sentenced to thirty years to life he faced accusations from five women total. His retrial followed a mistrial on all counts.
1. Harvey Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein produced films like ‘Pulp Fiction’ through his company Miramax. He appeared in cameos such as ‘Spy Kids’ as a scientist. His work included Oscar winners like ‘Shakespeare in Love’ as a producer.
Juries convicted him in 2020 of raping an actress in New York and in 2022 of raping a model in Los Angeles. More than eighty women accused him of sexual assault and harassment using his power to coerce them. The New York conviction was overturned in 2024 with a retrial pending.
What actor do you think deserves a spot on this list or who would you remove so share your thoughts in the comments below.