When Fame Slips Away
Fame rarely disappears all at once. For many stars, it eroded through stalled projects, damaged reputations, or changing audience tastes, leaving behind careers that once felt untouchable and now read like warnings etched into Hollywood history.
Emile Hirsch
A single night at Sundance changed Emile Hirsch’s trajectory, where he pleaded guilty to assaulting a female film executive at an after-party in 2015, and received probation, community service, and a fine. Studios distanced themselves soon after. However, he later completed indie films and apologized publicly.
David Shankbone, Wikimedia Commons
Katie Holmes
Television fame arrived early through Dawson’s Creek, where Katie Holmes played Joey Potter. Film roles never matched that success, slowed by box office disappointments and nonstop media focus on her marriage to Tom Cruise. Over time, she found a steadier footing in theater and directing.
MC1 Chad J. McNeeley, U.S. Navy, Wikimedia Commons
Jennifer Grey
Dirty Dancing turned Jennifer Grey into a global star overnight in 1987. A rhinoplasty later altered her appearance and limited casting opportunities, which she admitted had stalled career momentum. Years later, she reentered the spotlight by winning Dancing with the Stars in 2010.
Bryan Berlin, Wikimedia Commons
Ja Rule
Chart-topping hits made Ja Rule a defining voice of early 2000s rap. Then, a public feud with 50 Cent weakened his career, and a 2011 prison sentence on weapons charges halted it further. He eventually shifted focus toward independent business ventures and documentaries.
Lillo Brancato
Early success came through A Bronx Tale and The Sopranos, but legal trouble ended Lillo Brancato’s rise. A 2009 attempted burglary conviction tied to a deadly incident led to prison time and closed mainstream doors. After release, he returned through small independent projects.
James English, Wikimedia Commons
Lea Michele
Glee made Lea Michele a household name, then controversy followed years later. In 2020, multiple co-stars accused her of bullying behavior, prompting a public apology. Time away reset her image, and Broadway welcomed her back with critical praise for Funny Girl.
Lunchbox LP, Wikimedia Commons
Danielle Fishel
Many viewers still associate Danielle Fishel with Topanga from Boy Meets World. Acting roles after the show remained limited, so she shifted toward hosting and behind-the-scenes work. Nostalgia brought renewed visibility when she reprised the role on Girl Meets World.
Super Festivals from Ft. Lauderdale, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Charlie Sheen
At his peak, Charlie Sheen earned television’s highest salary on Two and a Half Men. Then public outbursts and disputes led to his 2011 firing, as studios viewed him as difficult to insure. Years afterward, he expressed regret and sought reconciliation.
Angela George at https://www.flickr.com/photos/sharongraphics/, Wikimedia Commons
Gina Carano
Fans met Gina Carano as Cara Dune on The Mandalorian, but her exit soon dominated headlines. Lucasfilm fired her in 2021 over social media posts, with Disney citing conflicts with company values. She later shifted direction by producing and starring in independent films.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
Kevin Spacey
Once a Hollywood powerhouse, Kevin Spacey saw his career collapse after misconduct allegations surfaced. Netflix fired him from House of Cards, and other projects quickly removed or replaced him. By 2017, major roles vanished, but he appeared quietly in small European productions.
Maryland GovPics, Wikimedia Commons
Michael Richards
Audiences knew Michael Richards as Kramer on Seinfeld until a 2006 on-stage outburst involving racially insensitive remarks spread widely online. The backlash quickly ended both his stand-up and acting careers, and years later, he publicly apologized while addressing the incident in interviews.
James Franco
Awards buzz followed James Franco for years as both actor and director. That momentum stopped in 2018 when multiple women accused him of sexual misconduct. He admitted to inappropriate behavior and stepped away from acting by focusing on writing and teaching.
Bridget Laudien, Wikimedia Commons
Shia LaBeouf
Early Disney fame gave way to critical respect as Shia LaBeouf transitioned into adult roles. Arrests and abuse allegations soon overshadowed that progress, prompting studios to pause collaborations. After seeking treatment, he returned cautiously through independent film projects.
John Bauld from Toronto, Canada, Wikimedia Commons
Joe Son
Some viewers recognize Joe Son from Austin Powers, but his real-life story turned far darker. Courts convicted him of violent crimes that included kidnapping and torture, resulting in a lengthy prison sentence. The case later became a frequent subject in true crime documentaries.
Huntington Beach Police Department, Wikimedia Commons
Crispin Glover
Back to the Future introduced Crispin Glover to mass audiences, yet contract disputes led to his replacement in sequels. However, unconventional behavior limited mainstream casting opportunities. Over time, he built a devoted cult following through experimental films, writing, and visual art.
Thomas Attila Lewis, Wikimedia Commons
Cas Anvar
Science fiction fans embraced Cas Anvar on The Expanse until multiple sexual misconduct allegations surfaced in 2020. An investigation followed and led to his removal from the show. Since then, he has continued voice acting work and maintained a presence at fan conventions.
Harald Krichel, Wikimedia Commons
Stephen Collins
For years, Stephen Collins portrayed a wholesome image on 7th Heaven. That reputation collapsed after he admitted to inappropriate sexual conduct with minors, which ended his career. Despite his absence, the show itself continues to air widely in syndication.
Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia Commons
Ansel Elgort
Leading roles in Baby Driver and The Fault in Our Stars positioned Ansel Elgort as a rising star. Online accusations of sexual misconduct emerged in 2020, which he denied. Even so, career momentum slowed. He continued working musically under his DJ persona.
Mingle Media TV, Wikimedia Commons
Allison Mack
Television success arrived through Smallville, but Allison Mack’s career took a shocking turn. Authorities arrested her for involvement in the NXIVM cult, and she later pleaded guilty to racketeering-related charges. During sentencing, she expressed remorse for her actions.
Kristin Dos Santos from Los Angeles, California, United States, Wikimedia Commons
Katherine Heigl
An Emmy win cemented Katherine Heigl’s success on Grey’s Anatomy, but public criticism of the show’s writing shifted industry perception, and some producers labeled her difficult. Over time, she rebuilt momentum through television dramas and a steady run of streaming film roles.
Photo from www.lukeford.net, Wikimedia Commons
Blake Jenner
Winning The Glee Project launched Blake Jenner into television fame, followed by a starring role on Glee. That momentum stalled when his ex-wife, Melissa Benoist, accused him of domestic abuse, which he later admitted. In later years, he appeared mainly in independent films.
Greg Hernandez from California, CA, USA, Wikimedia Commons
Armie Hammer
Critical praise followed Armie Hammer after Call Me by Your Name, positioning him as a major leading man. That image collapsed in 2021 when disturbing messages and abuse allegations surfaced. Agents and studios dropped him quickly, so he worked outside Hollywood while seeking rehabilitation.
Maximilian Bühn, Wikimedia Commons
Danny Masterson
Danny Masterson stayed closely linked to That ’70s Show until a 2023 conviction for sexual assault ended his career. The court even imposed a lengthy prison sentence, and the verdict quickly led several former co-stars to publicly distance themselves.
Oscar Rohena, Wikimedia Commons
Jussie Smollett
Empire turned Jussie Smollett into a breakout television star before legal trouble overshadowed everything. In 2021, he was convicted of staging a fake hate crime, which led to his removal from the show. The case fueled widespread debate around false reporting.
Hartley Sawyer
Hartley Sawyer gained visibility on The Flash until past offensive tweets resurfaced in 2020. Warner Bros. Television fired him soon after, cutting short his role on the series. He later issued a public apology and stepped away from acting altogether.
Eric Michael Cap from Burbank, Los Angeles, USA, Wikimedia Commons
