50 Actors Who Went from Loved to Hated
Fame can turn in a heartbeat. One day an actor feels like everyone’s favorite and the next day the mood shifts after a messy headline or a string of choices that rub people the wrong way. The story is rarely simple and it always lives somewhere between what fans want, what the industry rewards, and what the person actually does when the cameras are off.
This list looks at performers who soared on goodwill and then watched it cool or even collapse. Some have found a path back. Others are still trying to figure out how to move forward. The throughline is the same for all of them. Public affection is powerful and fragile and it can change faster than anyone expects.
Will Smith
For years he was the charming anchor of blockbusters and the nostalgic heart of ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’. People loved his easy grin and family image and it felt like he could do no wrong.
Everything shifted after the Oscars incident that overshadowed his win for ‘King Richard’. The fallout was swift and intense and it turned a beloved figure into a lightning rod as fans argued over where the line should be.
Amber Heard
She was poised for a run of major roles with high profile parts in ‘Aquaman’ and other studio projects. Her red carpet polish and indie cred had people excited about what might come next.
The public battle with Johnny Depp put her under a microscope and the online conversation grew harsh and polarized. Even after the verdicts and statements, the noise drowned out the work and reshaped how many people saw her.
Johnny Depp
He built a playful legend with ‘Pirates of the Caribbean’ and a string of quirky performances. Fans embraced his offbeat choices and he felt like a rare star who could do anything.
Then a wave of legal fights and ugly allegations turned the spotlight into a furnace. The result was years of sharp backlash and debate that left his once universal appeal tangled in constant controversy.
Kevin Spacey
He was a critical darling with roles that defined a generation and he anchored ‘House of Cards’ with icy brilliance. For a long time the respect around his craft felt unshakeable.
Serious allegations changed everything and productions cut ties in dramatic fashion. Even with legal outcomes that favored him in some venues, the trust of the audience proved hard to rebuild.
Bill Cosby
He was America’s TV dad on ‘The Cosby Show’ with a reputation built on warmth and guidance. Generations grew up feeling like they knew him.
When the accusations mounted and court cases unfolded, the cultural floor gave way. The distance between the wholesome image and the headlines created a level of disillusion that is rare and enduring.
Alec Baldwin
He could switch from dramatic weight to sharp comedy on ’30 Rock’ without missing a beat. He also became a pop culture mainstay through live sketches and memorable impressions.
The tragedy on the ‘Rust’ set and the legal complications that followed led to intense scrutiny. A career built on presence and control found itself defined by questions and grief in the public eye.
Mel Gibson
Audiences loved his mix of intensity and wit in films like ‘Lethal Weapon’ and ‘Braveheart’. He felt like the classic movie star who could carry any story.
Then came explosive recordings and deeply offensive remarks that shattered goodwill. Even with later work and public apologies, the shadow of those moments never really left.
Shia LaBeouf
He won people over as the energetic lead of ‘Transformers’ and later drew praise for bold indie turns like ‘Honey Boy’. The arc looked like a risk taker growing into an artist.
Legal troubles and serious accusations brought a storm that overwhelmed the narrative. Instead of focus on craft, the conversation shifted to accountability and trust.
Armie Hammer
He earned admiration through ‘Call Me by Your Name’ and confident supporting roles. His screen presence felt effortless and set him up for a big run.
Graphic allegations and investigations upended that trajectory. Projects paused and vanished and the sudden fall showed how quickly a rising star can lose the room.
Ezra Miller
The blend of indie cred and franchise visibility made them a standout in ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’ and ‘Justice League’. Fans saw a unique energy that felt modern and fresh.
A string of troubling reports and legal issues turned anticipation into discomfort. The headlines kept coming and the gap between on screen charisma and off screen behavior became the story.
James Franco
He balanced prestige and popcorn with ‘127 Hours’ and ‘Spider-Man’. People enjoyed the high low mix and the sense that he could do everything from comedy to drama.
Multiple allegations changed the tone around his public persona. Collaborators stepped away and the conversation moved from admiration to skepticism about power and responsibility.
Woody Allen
As a performer in his own films he shaped a certain kind of neurotic wit that influenced generations. For many viewers his voice and presence were part of a long cinematic tradition.
The ongoing controversy around his personal life made that legacy far more complicated for audiences. Over time the split between admiration for the work and concern over the man widened and hardened.
Katherine Heigl
She broke out with ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ and ‘Knocked Up’ and seemed set for rom com royalty. Her mix of charm and steel won early fans.
Industry stories about difficult relationships and public comments cooled that momentum. The narrative became about reputation rather than roles and the warmth faded.
Anne Hathaway
She moved from ‘The Princess Diaries’ to heavyweight performances and showed real range. For a while she felt like a model of professionalism and grace.
Then a wave of online snark took aim at her earnestness and overexposure. It became trendy to roll eyes at her awards season glow and the backlash seemed out of proportion to anything she did.
Brie Larson
With ‘Room’ and ‘Captain Marvel’ she became both acclaimed and massively visible. She spoke with confidence about representation and the business.
That confidence met a loud corner of the internet that pushed back hard. The noise around her interviews and press tours often drowned out the actual work.
Chris Pratt
He won hearts on ‘Parks and Recreation’ and then headlined ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’ with goofy charm. The glow felt effortless and wide reaching.
Questions about his affiliations and personal views sparked recurring flare ups online. The reaction turned him into a culture war figure and chipped away at the easy likability.
Jared Leto
He grabbed attention with bold choices in ‘Suicide Squad’ and offbeat leads like ‘Morbius’. His dedication to transformation kept people curious.
Reports about extreme method behavior and other accusations made some viewers uncomfortable. The conversation began to center on the cost of the persona rather than the value of the performance.
Gwyneth Paltrow
She delivered prestige work and blockbuster shine with ‘Shakespeare in Love’ and ‘Iron Man’. For years she moved easily between art house and franchise.
Her wellness brand drew heavy criticism and skepticism. The shift from admired actor to polarizing entrepreneur changed how many people talked about her.
Russell Crowe
He felt larger than life in ‘Gladiator’ and then showed quiet power in smaller roles. The combination made him a critical and popular favorite.
Stories about temper and confrontations cooled the enthusiasm. He kept working but the public mood no longer matched the early awe.
Tom Cruise
He built a career on pure star power with ‘Top Gun’ and the ‘Mission Impossible’ series. Audiences showed up because he delivered spectacle with a human spark.
The couch jumping moment and focus on his personal beliefs altered the vibe. Even as the stunts grew bigger, some fans saw the persona through a different lens.
Megan Fox
She exploded onto the scene with ‘Transformers’ and sharp comedic turns. For a while her image was everywhere.
Public spats and headlines about mistreatment and comments on set complicated her early brand. The push and pull between overexposure and empathy made the fandom feel unsettled.
Kristen Stewart
She carried ‘Twilight’ to global success and then surprised people with quiet, precise performances. The growth looked promising.
A very public relationship scandal flipped the narrative. For a time the focus stayed on the gossip rather than the evolution of her craft.
Ben Affleck
He moved from ‘Good Will Hunting’ glory to tough leading roles and also earned respect as a director. His career kept reinventing itself.
Then came public stumbles and tabloid drama that became a running joke. Projects like ‘Gigli’ turned into shorthand for bad choices and the goodwill drained fast.
Jennifer Lawrence
She combined star power and relatability in ‘The Hunger Games’ and awards favorites. The public adored her goofy charm.
Over time the constant spotlight and a few poorly received comments turned affection into fatigue. What once felt refreshing started to read as forced and the backlash arrived.
Scarlett Johansson
She owned action and drama from ‘Lost in Translation’ to ‘Black Widow’. Her career showed impressive control.
Casting controversies around projects like ‘Ghost in the Shell’ created sharp debates about representation. The friction chipped away at a once smooth public image.
Mark Wahlberg
He climbed from music fame to serious roles in ‘The Departed’ and crowd pleasers across genres. The reinvention worked for a long stretch.
Old crimes and later controversies kept resurfacing and complicated his narrative. The gap between tough guy hero and real life history made some fans step back.
Gina Carano
She won a fresh wave of attention with ‘The Mandalorian’ and seemed poised to expand her action presence. The fan base embraced her character quickly.
Social media posts sparked a swift and public fallout that led to an abrupt exit. The shift from fan favorite to flashpoint happened almost overnight.
Charlie Sheen
He went from film favorite to sitcom juggernaut on ‘Two and a Half Men’. His comic timing and swagger kept the show at the top.
Public meltdowns and feuds consumed the goodwill and the job. The catchphrases got replaced by concern and frustration.
Jussie Smollett
He brought charisma to ‘Empire’ and felt like a breakout. The combination of music and drama played to his strengths.
The high profile case around a false report charge changed everything. The conversation moved from talent to trust and it never really moved back.
Roseanne Barr
She defined a kind of working class authenticity on ‘Roseanne’. The revival proved how much people still cared.
An offensive tweet ended that return and forced a retool of the show without her. It was a dramatic fall from a place of real affection.
Hayden Christensen
He stepped into ‘Star Wars’ with massive expectation. The role put him in the middle of a passionate fan base.
The early reception was hard and the criticism stuck for years. Only later did some fans look back with more kindness after the initial wave of disappointment.
Jake Lloyd
He was a kid stepping into the biggest franchise in the world with ‘Star Wars’. The pressure was enormous for anyone.
The backlash grew unfairly intense and it followed him beyond the film. The harsh reaction from some corners of fandom turned a joyful moment into a painful one.
Lindsay Lohan
She was magnetic in ‘Mean Girls’ and felt destined for long term stardom. People loved her comic bite.
Personal struggles and relentless tabloid attention took over the story. The work got lost in the churn and the audience cooled.
Amanda Bynes
She was a natural on ‘All That’ and showed sharp timing in films like ‘Easy A’. Her future looked bright.
Then came highly public struggles that played out everywhere. Fans shifted from cheering to worrying and the industry stepped back.
Steven Seagal
He owned a certain kind of action with hits like ‘Under Siege’. The brand was simple and effective.
Reports of misconduct and political choices created heavy backlash. The tough guy aura turned into a magnet for criticism.
Stacey Dash
She was instantly memorable in ‘Clueless’ and found steady work on television. Nostalgia kept her in the conversation.
Her outspoken political turns drew strong reactions and cost her roles. The warmth from early fans faded under the weight of constant controversy.
Lea Michele
She broke through with ‘Glee’ and built a reputation for powerhouse vocals. The role made her a star with a devoted following.
Then former coworkers shared stories that painted a very different picture. The backlash grew quickly and opportunities slowed down.
Jeremy Piven
He became a household name through ‘Entourage’. His energy and bite made the character iconic.
Later allegations and questions about on set behavior clouded the legacy. The mood shifted from admiration to caution almost immediately.
Terrence Howard
He impressed in ‘Hustle and Flow’ and jumped into franchise work with ‘Iron Man’. It felt like the start of a long run.
Contract disputes and off screen headlines shifted the tone around him. The talk centered on conflict rather than craft and that altered the fan response.
Emile Hirsch
He earned praise with ‘Into the Wild’ and other character driven roles. The trajectory looked serious and promising.
A widely reported assault case damaged his standing with audiences and peers. The comeback attempts have struggled to escape that moment.
Liam Neeson
He reinvented himself as an action lead with ‘Taken’ and found a late career groove. Viewers enjoyed the reliable intensity.
Controversial remarks during an interview brought a surge of criticism. For a time the tough hero persona collided with a real world story that made people uncomfortable.
Michael Richards
He was beloved as Kramer on ‘Seinfeld’. The physical comedy felt timeless.
A racist on stage rant ended that goodwill in a single night. Apologies followed but the clip defined him for many people.
Chevy Chase
He was a foundational comedy star with ‘National Lampoon’s Vacation’ and a key piece of ‘Community’. The persona was a mix of arrogance and charm that worked on screen.
Reports of difficult behavior and conflicts with coworkers wore down the nostalgia. The conversation turned from classic bits to clashes and walkouts.
Miles Teller
He broke through with ‘Whiplash’ and seemed headed straight for leading man territory. His edge and intensity got attention.
Early press painted him as difficult and a couple of projects landed poorly. Even as he worked to reset the narrative, the first impression lingered for a while.
Jonah Hill
He grew from ‘Superbad’ to acclaimed performances in ‘Moneyball’ and ‘The Wolf of Wall Street’. The shift from comedy to drama won respect.
Personal texts and headlines about boundaries sparked a loud reaction. The public’s view of his thoughtful image took a hit and debate followed.
T.J. Miller
He was a standout in ‘Silicon Valley’ and scene stealing in ‘Deadpool’. The momentum looked strong.
Accusations and chaotic public incidents turned that heat into backlash. The exit from projects felt abrupt and the audience moved on.
Jeffrey Tambor
He had a late career pinnacle with ‘Transparent’ and a renewed spotlight on ‘Arrested Development’. The work brought awards and praise.
Misconduct allegations created a swift and painful reversal. The shows kept going but his presence became a point of contention.
Kevin Sorbo
He carried ‘Hercules’ and built a steady fan base through genre TV. The image was heroic and approachable.
Later public statements and online posts drew heavy criticism. The divide between early fans and his current persona widened.
Kirk Cameron
He was a teen icon on ‘Growing Pains’. Families welcomed him into their living rooms.
As his public advocacy grew more pointed he became a polarizing figure. The shift from sitcom star to culture warrior changed how people reacted to him.
James Woods
He earned respect as an intense character actor in films like ‘Casino’. For years he was a reliable spark in ensemble casts.
His social media presence and political fights drew constant backlash. The feed became the story and it overshadowed the performances.
Share your thoughts in the comments and tell us who you think belongs on this list and why.
