Hollywood thrives on second chances, but let’s be real—audiences can’t resist a good downfall. From red-carpet darlings to tabloid disasters, plenty of stars have watched their careers implode, sometimes in the blink of an eye. Here’s a look at nine of the most notorious Hollywood career crashes, counting down to the most jaw-dropping of them all.
9. Will Smith
Once the invincible box office champ, Will Smith’s reputation was shattered in 2022 when he slapped Chris Rock live on television during the Oscars. The consequences were immediate: a 10-year Academy suspension, shelved projects, and a complete reversal of public opinion. His subsequent film, Emancipation, hardly made a splash. The slap redefined him overnight—from icon to troublemaker.
8. Mel Gibson
Mel Gibson’s career was sidetracked by scandal after scandal. His 2006 arrest for DUI descended into an anti-Semitic tirade, followed by leaked tapes full of racist and abusive content. Many thought his days in Hollywood were finished. But in 2016, he was back with Hacksaw Ridge, which received several Oscar nominations. The comeback was robust, but his reputation never recovered.
7. Louis C.K.
During his prime, Louis C.K. confessed to behaving inappropriately in 2017, with instant industry repercussions. FX severed him; his film premiere was canceled, and he disappeared from public view. Recently, he’s made comebacks with tours, specials, and even a Grammy, but his career has never again been in its top glow.
6. Danny Masterson
Most famous for That ’70s Show, Danny Masterson’s career imploded in the face of serious allegations of assault. He was fired from Netflix’s The Ranch and by his agency. In 2023, he was found guilty in a retrial and sentenced to 30 years to life. His fall wasn’t merely a career-destroying scandal—it was a complete disappearance from Hollywood.
5. Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey’s fall was as quick as it was intense. Several men stepped forward with accusations of impropriety, and Hollywood moved just as fast. Netflix canceled him from House of Cards, and studios dropped him from productions already underway. Though he had some courtroom victories afterwards, his public image is forever tainted, and his days as a Hollywood kingpin are over.
4. Armie Hammer
What had appeared to be a glittering future was reduced to ashes after, through leaked messages and explosive allegations, the actor became embroiled in a scandal that rattled Hollywood. He lost parts, was dropped by his agency, and faded from Hollywood’s A-list overnight. Once touted as the new top leading man, Armie Hammer’s rise to fame ended in dramatic collapse.
3. Gina Carano
Gina Carano was set for superstardom after her starring turn in The Mandalorian. But after posting socially unacceptable remarks on social media, including a tweet that likened Republicans to Jews in the Holocaust, she lost her role and agency representation. Although she’s since joined forces with right-wing media, her Hollywood career has yet to recover.
2. Jussie Smollett
Jussie Smollett became a former rising star on Empire to a notorious headline in 2019 when officials found he’d faked a hate crime against himself. He was eliminated from the show, charged with giving false reports, and became a symbol of scandal rather than social justice. His bright Hollywood future disappeared.
1. Roseanne Barr
Roseanne Barr’s 2018 return crashed in one tweet. Her racist comment about Valerie Jarrett got Roseanne canceled in a matter of hours by ABC, which then revived the show as The Conners, without her. The tweet lost her millions and dismantled what had been a triumphant return. Few meltdowns have been so quick and definitive.
If Hollywood has taught us anything, it’s that fame is fleeting. One poor choice or one poor tweet can wipe out years of success. And under the microscope, every error is amplified.