With wild stories about the behaviour of
Charlie Sheen circulating daily and the news that he has been fired from his hit TV show Two and a Half Men today, I began thinking about some of the most notorious cases of scandal in Hollywoods sordid past! As it appears that Sheens career may be heading towards oblivion, read on to discover the 10 most infamous scandals and just how they affected the stars responsible for them
10. Winona Ryder's Bargain Shopping Spree
When troubled actress
Winona Ryder took a trip to the Beverly Hills Saks department store in December 2001, the sales assistants must have thought their luck was in in terms of commission! But no, Ryder decided that $6000 was too much to spend on a bundle of designer goodies that included a Gucci dress, Marc Jacobs jumper and a Dolce & Gabbana handbag, amongst other things Caught trying to pilfer the lot, Ryder was also found to be in possession of some strong painkillers and a syringe, which she had apparently obtained through a number of doctors who had prescribed them to a number of aliases! Needless to say, the trial didnt go that well for Ryder, who was sentenced to 480 hours of community service, 3 years supervised probation, a $10000 fine and counselling$6000 for some clothes & accessories probably didnt look that bad after all! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unyKRYb7WPo The impact of her trial certainly helped slow the actresses career down and she found herself paying her penance in a number of low budget efforts and short films over the next few years (with only a few big budget projects scattered between). However, things have started to improve for her again now with small but important roles in films such as
Black Swan (2010) and
The Dilemma (2011) and a couple of projects in production including
Frankenweenie (2012) and a rumoured part in
Gardel which also has Charlie Sheen rumoured to be attached coming a decade after the events!
09. Ingrid Bergman's Illegitimate Baby
In todays society an illegitimate child seems to lack any sense of scandal anymore, but back in 1950 it all but ruined
Ingrid Bergmans Hollywood career. When her affair on the set of
Stromboli (1950) with Italian director
Roberto Rossellini produced a child (Renato Roberto Giusto Giuseppe Rossellini), Bergman found herself ordered out of the United States by Senator Edwin Johnson. The Senator deemed the actresses actions as totally unacceptable and banned her from the country. The final straw came when television show host Ed Sullivan refused to have her appear on his program and Bergman fled to Italy with Rossellini and their son, leaving behind her husband and daughter. Whilst the banishment put an end to her career in Hollywood for a number of years, the actress continued to make films in Europe and she starred in four more films directed by Rossellini. The U.S. forgave Bergman in the mid-50s and she returned once more to American cinema in
Anastasia (1956), which garnered Bergman an Oscar for Best Actress the only way the industry knew how to apologise for the despicable treatment of her back in 1950.
08. Voicemail 101, with Alec Baldwin
Back in 2007
Alec Baldwin was enjoying a successful, stable careeruntil ex-wife and sworn enemy
Kim Basinger leaked a voicemail message the actor left for his 12-year-old daughter, Ireland. In an epic rant that revealed just how angry he was for her lack of phone answering etiquette (she apparently had her phone off at a specific time when he was scheduled to call her), he referred to Ireland as, a rude, thoughtless little pig. He also highlighted the fact that he didnt care whether she was an 11 or 12 year old (a shining example of parenting, not knowing your own daughters age!) and that Basinger was, a thoughtless pain in the ass who didnt care about what she did as far as he was concerned (way to go at putting your kid in the middle of your arguments with your ex-wife!). http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8J0-ZatDHug Despite his appalling treatment of his daughter, unlike Charlie Sheen, Baldwin kept his starring role in
30 Rock throughout the media storm surrounding the scandal. A series of non-apologies citing alienation from Ireland and his parental duties as the cause of his outburst, seemed to skim over the seriousness of his tirade. However, with an array of films coming up, including a part in
Men in Black III (2012) and
Rock of Ages (2012), it seems that Baldwin has definitely transcended his scandalous actions and remains a bankable figure in Hollywood. Basinger came off less well (for her violation of a court order in releasing the message to discredit Baldwin) and has only starred in 4 films since the incident, including the abysmal
The Death and Life of Charlie St. Cloud (2010). The industry is obviously batting for Team Baldwin
07. Woody Allen Does What With Ex-Lover's Daughter!?
Writer, director and actor
Woody Allen and actress
Mia Farrow were one of Hollywoods most reclusive couples: their private life remained private and their work together on screen was so engaging that it was enough for the public. However, back in 1992 not only was Farrow in shock, but the public too, when it was discovered that the 57 year old director was in love with her 21 year old adopted daughter,
Soon-Yi Previn. The usual funny antics of Allen suddenly seemed rather depraved Defending his actions in a Time magazine interview Allen claimed that he saw no moral dilemma in being with Soon-Yi, as the heart wants what it wants! Farrow and Allen subsequently fought a very long and very public custody battle over their adopted daughter Dylan, where the secrets of the relationship flooded out including allegations that Farrow hit Soon-Yi and that Allen molested Dylan (although these were never proven). Whilst Soon- Yi and Allen married in 1997 and appear to still be living in domestic bliss (with two adopted daughters of their own), Allens career nose-dived with much of his work flopping. Over the past few years his work has begun to garner more positive attention and films such as
Match Point (2005) and
Vicky Cristina Barcelona (2008) receiving positive feedback. Farrows career did not take off in the same way post-scandal however, with only some small parts in films such as
The Omen (2006),
Be Kind Rewind (2008) and the kids fantasy animation
Arthur and the Great Adventure (2009) over the past few years.
06. A Guide To Parenting, By Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford was one of Hollywoods most enduring stars, with a career spanning six decades! However, it wasnt until after her death in 1977 that the legend was struck with a public scandal. Before Crawford was cold in her grave, adopted daughter Christina authored a book entitled Mommie Dearest that painted her as a domineering, almost psychotic monster who subjected her children to reign of terror. With instances of abuse littered throughout the book, Christina did whatever she could to discredit the legacy of her mother. Crawford had apparently caught wind of her daughters intentions before her death and managed to have the final laugh when she cut Christina (and her son Christopher) out of her will! What is chronicled in Mommie Dearest has been highly scrutinised and a number of instances have categorically been discredited. However, along with the atrocious film version (released in 1981), the book has had a lasting impact on Crawfords reputation. Today, a number of her films have not had DVD releases and she is often skimmed over during Hollywood retrospectives. The fact that Crawfords twin daughters Cathy and Cindy have contested their sisters version of events has had very little impact and the sad truth remains that the memory of one of Hollywoods hardest working and most ambitious stars has truly been tarnished.
05. Hugh Grant's Indecency...
When
Hugh Grant picked up hooker
Divine Brown in a sleazy part of Sunset Boulevard back in 1995, he was still only a small talent in the States (Brown apparently yelled, Who the hells Hugh Grant? when police informed her that her client was not called Lewis!). However, it wasnt long before Grant eclipsed the role of being Elizabeth Hurleys foppish boyfriend who had been in Four Weddings and a Funeral after the media frenzy surrounding his lewd act with Brown Not shying away from the publicity storm, Grant continued to attend his round of planned appearances to promote the impending release of his latest film,
Nine Months (1995). When talk show host Jay Leno quizzed him on his actions, Grant came back with the legendary quip, I did a bad thing, and there you have it! By acknowledging his mistake and continuing as normal, Grant managed to weather the storm and came out of it in a much better position apart, perhaps, from the $1180 fine and two years probation. Hurley forgave him and the world knew his name. What followed was world domination as the quintessential Brit in Hollywood cinema!
04. Mel Gibson Simply Crazy?
Mel Gibson has starred in some of the best action comedies out there the
Lethal Weapon franchise (1987-1998),
Bird on a Wire (1990) and
Air America (1990), to name a few but his real life seems to mimic a psychological horror film these days. Starting with a rather insane rant at the congregation of the church he attends (for apparently gossiping about him!) back in May 2009, to his messy divorce with wife of 28 years Robyn, through his notorious racist and misogynist recorded rants and his terrible abuse of his newest sons mother You couldnt make the stuff up that Gibson keeps coming out with! The actor/directors personal life has definitely overshadowed his professional life and he seems to only make headlines for all the wrong reasons at the moment. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCRZZ7F7kbY Post-scandal (well, scandals), Gibson has had very little of an acting career. After a 5-year hiatus he attempted to make a comeback with
Edge of Darkness (2010), an average thriller that failed to make any waves within the industry. The lead role in Jodie Fosters upcoming latest directorial offering
The Beaver (2011) may prove some sort of redemption for Gibson, but I wont personally hold my breath! The sheer amount of craziness surrounding the actors life certainly makes me wonder whether he will ever fully recover from his array of scandals, which is a real shame for a much-loved actor and talented director.
03. Lindsay Lohan Does Everything She Shouldn't!
Once upon a time
Lindsay Lohan looked to be one of Hollywoods most promising young talents. However, somebody made the mistake of telling the starlet this and suddenly ego outshone talent to create the self-destructive monster that has been dubbed LiLo. As Lohans opinion of herself continues to inflate, so do the charges! From driving under the influenceto drug possessionto the latest case of grand theft larceny (for borrowing a $2500 necklace!). With countless stints in rehab and a 90 day sentence in prison (which actually translated to only 14 days, because, wellshes Lindsay Lohan!?), the actress has well and truly become a messed-up former actress. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kXFjU0e7Kx0 With the dire
Georgia Rule (2007), even worse
I Know Who Killed Me (2007) and terrible
Labor Pains (2009) under her belt, it has been a guest spot in television series
Ugly Betty in 2008 and a topless supporting role in grindhouse flick
Machete (2010) that seem to be the only notable asides in a truly pathetic post scandal career. Some people live in forever hope that shell pull it out of the bag and have a glorious comeback and I guess shes young enough to do it but for me, I cant wait for the day she doesnt clog up useful newspaper space anymore!
02. Roman Polanski: Director & Under-Age Rapist
Talented director
Roman Polanski was no stranger to scandal back in 1977 his pregnant wife
Sharon Tate had tragically been murdered by the Manson family in 1969 however, he was undoubtedly unprepared for the frenzy surrounding his actions with a minor. Taking a 13-year-old girl to
Jack Nicholsons LA home (the star was not in), Polanski took photos of the girl and gave her copious amounts of champagne to drink. He subsequently raped her (she repeatedly said no). Two weeks after the incident, the girl revealed what happened to a grand jury and Polanski was forced to plead guilty, hoping to exchange the 42 days he had spent in a psychiatric facility for his sentence. Fearing that a judge may renege on the agreement and sentence him to 50 years behind bars, the director fled to his home country of France. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FiRJlMC1XQg Polanski has subsequently been banned from entering the United States, but he has continued to work in Europe. Whilst his output has not been steady he has made some solid films, including
Frantic (1988) and
The Ninth Gate (1999). His biggest post-scandal success came with
The Pianist (2002), a harrowing WWII drama, which won him a Best Director Academy Award. Needless to say, he was unable to attend the ceremony to collect the honour.
01. Lana Turner Commits Justifiable Homicide!
Hollywood superstar
Lana Turners greatest performance didnt come on screen, but during her 14 year old daughter
Cheryl Cranes trial for murdering her mobster lover. Turner had been dating
Johnny Stompanato since spring of 1957 and the relationship had always been turbulent. Stompanato regularly beat Turner and in an incident after the 1958 Academy Awards, he viciously attacked her badly bruising her face. On Good Friday 1958, Crane heard Stompanato and her mother having a powerful verbal fight in their bedroom and tried to intervene. When she couldnt separate the two she overheard the mobster threaten the life of her mother, grandmother and herself. Running downstairs she grabbed a carving knife and returned upstairs, begging her mother to open her locked bedroom door. When Turner did, all Crane could see was Stompanato with his arm raised, brandishing something that looked like a weapon. As he approached her, Crane stabbed him in the stomach and the gangster fell to the floor, dying on Lana Turners carpet Fearing the murder would spell the end of her career Turner put on the act of her career during the trial and recalled all of the awful beatings and threats that Stompanato made to her and her family. The killing was deemed justifiable homicide and the actress would only ever refer it as The Happening for the remainder of her life. Rather than finishing her career, the scandal actually boosted it and
Peyton Place the current Turner picture in cinemas actually had a surge in box office returns. Famed melodrama producer Ross Hunter also asked Turner to star in his remake of
Imitation of Life (1958) and the star went on to have a healthy career for the next 33 years. If anyone stands as proof of a successful career after scandal, it has to be Lana Turner! If you have any other scandals that youd like to sharepop a comment below!