Black Actors Who Went Viral for All the Wrongs Reasons

Public figures often find themselves under the microscope of social media and the 24-hour news cycle. Actors are scrutinized for their behavior on set as well as their personal lives and online interactions. When a star trends on social media it is not always for a blockbuster role or an award win. The following list explores instances where Black male actors captured the public’s attention due to controversies or scandals.

Will Smith

The actor became the subject of intense global debate during the 2022 Academy Awards ceremony. He walked onto the stage and slapped presenter Chris Rock after a joke was made about Jada Pinkett Smith. Smith returned to his seat and shouted profanities that were broadcast to millions of viewers. The Academy banned him from attending events for ten years following the incident. This moment overshadowed his subsequent Best Actor win for ‘King Richard’.

Jussie Smollett

Smollett dominated headlines after reporting he was the victim of a hate crime in Chicago. Police investigations later revealed that the attack had been staged by the actor himself to gain publicity. He was found guilty of five counts of felony disorderly conduct for making false reports. The scandal led to his character being written out of the hit series ‘Empire’. His conviction resulted in jail time and significant damage to his professional reputation.

Jonathan Majors

Majors was on a rapid ascent in Hollywood before legal issues halted his momentum. He was arrested following a domestic dispute with his then-girlfriend in New York City. A jury eventually found him guilty of reckless assault and harassment. Marvel Studios dropped him from his role as Kang the Conqueror immediately after the verdict. The highly publicized trial involved surveillance footage and testimony that circulated widely online.

Bill Cosby

The legacy of the comedian and actor was dismantled after dozens of women accused him of sexual assault. Cosby faced trial for an incident involving Andrea Constand and was eventually convicted. He served time in prison before his conviction was overturned on a technicality regarding a previous legal agreement. The widespread allegations turned the once-beloved TV father into a figure of infamy. Reruns of ‘The Cosby Show’ were pulled from syndication across many networks.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

The Oscar-winning actor faced a series of legal challenges regarding his conduct in nightclubs. Multiple women accused him of forcible touching and unwanted sexual advances. He eventually pleaded guilty to one count of forcible touching in a plea deal that allowed him to avoid jail time. The actor was required to continue alcohol and behavior modification counseling. These incidents significantly stalled his acting career for several years.

Terrence Howard

Howard garnered viral attention for his unconventional theories regarding mathematics and logic. He has given numerous interviews where he claims that one times one equals two. The actor developed his own system of logic which he calls Terryology. Clips of him explaining these concepts often circulate on social media and draw confusion from the public. He has also faced scrutiny for past allegations of domestic abuse.

Isaiah Washington

Washington was at the center of a major controversy during the height of the popularity of ‘Grey’s Anatomy’. He used a homophobic slur during an on-set argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey referring to T.R. Knight. The incident led to his dismissal from the show after the third season. He later attempted to clarify his position but the damage to his mainstream career was done. The actor has since sparked other online debates with his political commentary.

Orlando Brown

The former ‘That’s So Raven’ star has concerned fans with a string of erratic behavior and arrests. His viral interview with Dr. Phil showed him displaying confusion and making bizarre claims about his identity. Brown appeared with snake-eye contact lenses and spoke about having children with people he did not know. He has faced legal charges for domestic battery and drug possession. These public struggles with mental health and substance abuse have kept him in the tabloids.

Tyrese Gibson

Gibson frequently goes viral for his emotional posts and videos on Instagram. He once posted a video of himself crying while discussing his custody battle and financial struggles. The actor also engaged in a very public feud with ‘Fast & Furious’ co-star Dwayne Johnson. His oversharing on social media often leads to him becoming a meme or subject of ridicule. Fans often express concern or confusion regarding his unfiltered online presence.

Nick Cannon

Cannon faced severe backlash after making anti-Semitic comments on his podcast ‘Cannon’s Class’. ViacomCBS terminated their decades-long relationship with him following the broadcast. The actor and host later issued apologies and engaged with Jewish leaders to educate himself. He also frequently goes viral for the sheer number of children he has fathered with multiple women. His unconventional family structure remains a constant topic of online discussion.

Terry Crews

Crews sparked a Twitter firestorm with comments regarding the Black Lives Matter movement. He tweeted warnings about “Black supremacy” which many users felt undermined the message of the protests. Co-stars and fans criticized his statements as being out of touch with the moment. The actor spent days defending his position while trending for the wrong reasons. He later apologized for the wording of his tweets.

Kevin Hart

Hart was announced as the host of the Academy Awards before old tweets resurfaced. The tweets contained homophobic jokes and slurs that he had posted years prior. He initially refused to issue a new apology because he felt he had addressed the topic in the past. The controversy grew until he eventually stepped down from the hosting gig. He later expressed regret for how he handled the situation during the fallout.

Katt Williams

The comedian and actor broke the internet with a sprawling interview on the ‘Club Shay Shay’ podcast. He disparaged numerous fellow comedians and actors including Cedric the Entertainer and Ludacris. The interview accumulated millions of views within days due to his unfiltered claims. Williams accused others of stealing jokes and engaging in conspiratorial behavior. While his fans enjoyed the honesty, industry peers pushed back against his aggressive accusations.

Nate Parker

Parker saw his directorial debut ‘The Birth of a Nation’ overshadowed by his past. A rape accusation from his college years resurfaced just as the film was gaining Oscar buzz. Although he had been acquitted of the charges years prior, the details of the case caused public outrage. The controversy dominated the press tour and the film underperformed commercially. He spent years out of the spotlight before attempting a return to filmmaking.

Jason Mitchell

Mitchell was fired from the show ‘The Chi’ following allegations of misconduct. He also lost a role in a Netflix movie due to similar complaints from co-stars and crew. The allegations involved inappropriate behavior and sexual harassment on set. His agency and management representation dropped him as a client shortly after the news broke. The actor had been a rising star after his performance in ‘Straight Outta Compton’.

Wesley Snipes

Snipes became the face of celebrity tax evasion cases in the late 2000s. He was convicted of three misdemeanor counts of failing to file federal income tax returns. The actor served nearly three years in a federal prison in Pennsylvania. His legal battles were highly publicized and interrupted his acting career for a significant period. He has since returned to acting but the conviction remains a major part of his public history.

Columbus Short

Short was written out of the hit series ‘Scandal’ amidst serious personal drama. He faced charges of spousal battery and was threatened with divorce by his wife. The actor also engaged in a bar fight that led to felony battery charges. He publicly struggled with substance abuse issues during this tumultuous period. His exit from the show was abrupt and directly linked to his off-screen legal troubles.

Taye Diggs

Diggs often attracts criticism for his comments regarding race and dating preferences. He faced backlash for stating he wanted his mixed-race son to be identified as mixed rather than Black. The actor has also made comments about Black women that some found dismissive or controversial. Social media users frequently debate his views on identity and relationships. These comments often overshadow his work in film and theater.

Jamie Foxx

Foxx found himself in hot water over a cryptic Instagram post about fake friends. The post mentioned the killing of Jesus and was interpreted by many as perpetuating antisemitic tropes. Jennifer Aniston was also dragged into the controversy after appearing to like the post. Foxx deleted the message and issued an apology clarifying that he was speaking about betrayal by a friend. The misunderstanding caused a brief but intense viral storm.

LaKeith Stanfield

Stanfield faced criticism for moderating a room on the app Clubhouse that hosted antisemitic rhetoric. Participants in the room made hateful comments while the actor was present as a moderator. He later apologized and stated that he did not condone the things that were said. The incident raised questions about the responsibility of public figures in unmoderated online spaces. He stepped back from social media for a period following the backlash.

Morgan Freeman

Freeman was the subject of a CNN investigation that detailed allegations of harassment. multiple women accused the actor of inappropriate behavior and comments on movie sets and at his production company. He issued a statement apologizing to anyone he might have made uncomfortable. The report sparked a conversation about conduct in Hollywood beyond just the most aggressive offenders. He did not face legal charges but the accusations garnered significant media coverage.Tracy Morgan

Morgan faced a career crisis after making homophobic remarks during a standup set in Nashville. He stated that he would stab his son if he came out as gay. The violent nature of the joke drew condemnation from advocacy groups and the public. He issued a formal apology and met with GLAAD and families of LGBTQ youth to make amends. NBC, which aired ’30 Rock’, also released a statement condemning his words.

Steve Harvey

Harvey went viral globally for announcing the wrong winner at the Miss Universe pageant. He incorrectly named Miss Colombia the winner before having to correct himself live on stage. The cringe-worthy moment became an instant meme and was replayed on news stations worldwide. He also faced backlash for a leaked internal memo warning staff not to approach him. The host has often had to rely on humor to deflect from these embarrassing viral moments.

Martin Lawrence

Lawrence had a highly publicized breakdown in 1996 when he ran into a busy Los Angeles intersection. He was found carrying a loaded gun and shouting at cars while displaying erratic behavior. The incident led to hospitalization and concerns about his mental health. He was also banned from hosting ‘Saturday Night Live’ after going off-script with a graphic monologue. These events marked a turbulent period in the comedian’s life.

Dave Chappelle

Chappelle has been the subject of ongoing controversy regarding his jokes about the transgender community. His Netflix special ‘The Closer’ sparked employee walkouts at the streaming giant. Critics argued that his material was harmful and perpetuated dangerous stereotypes. The comedian doubled down on his material in subsequent shows and refused to back down. The debate over his sets has divided fans and critics alike.

T.I.

The rapper and actor faced massive scrutiny after revealing he accompanied his daughter to gynecologist appointments. He stated on a podcast that he did this to check if her hymen was still intact. The comments were widely condemned as invasive and medically inaccurate. New York lawmakers even introduced legislation to ban such virginity examinations following the viral outrage. He later claimed he was exaggerating but the damage was done.

50 Cent

50 Cent frequently uses his social media platforms to troll and mock other celebrities. He faced particular backlash for mocking Terry Crews after Crews shared his sexual assault story. The actor also posted insensitive comments about Madonna and various other public figures. His online behavior is often seen as bullying by critics and the targets of his posts. Despite the criticism, he continues to use Instagram as a tool for aggressive commentary.

Kyle Massey

The former Disney Channel star was charged with immoral communication with a minor. Prosecutors alleged that he sent explicit material to a 13-year-old girl. Massey missed a court appearance which led to a warrant being issued for his arrest. He has denied the allegations and claimed he was being extorted. The serious nature of the charges shocked fans who grew up watching him on ‘That’s So Raven’.

Pooch Hall

Hall was arrested for driving under the influence and felony child endangerment. Witnesses saw him driving erratically with his two-year-old son sitting on his lap steering the wheel. He crashed into a parked car and was subsequently detained by police. The actor was playing a major role on ‘Ray Donovan’ at the time of the incident. He avoided prison time but was placed on probation and required to complete an alcohol program.

Gary Dourdan

Dourdan was a fan favorite on ‘CSI’ before drug issues derailed his tenure. He was arrested multiple times for possession of cocaine and other controlled substances. The actor eventually filed for bankruptcy as his legal troubles mounted. His mugshots and arrest details circulated widely in entertainment news. These personal struggles led to a significant decline in high-profile acting roles.

Wendell Pierce

Pierce was arrested at an Atlanta hotel following a physical altercation. Reports stated that the argument began over a political disagreement regarding the 2016 election. He was accused of pushing a woman and pulling her hoodie. The actor expressed regret over the incident but disputed some details of the confrontation. The arrest was a rare blemish on the record of the respected ‘The Wire’ actor.

Craig Robinson

Robinson was detained in the Bahamas for drug possession while trying to leave the country. Customs agents found marijuana and ecstasy pills in his luggage. He pleaded guilty to two counts of drug possession and paid a fine to avoid jail time. The actor was allowed to leave the country after the legal proceedings concluded. It was a brief but embarrassing headline for the ‘The Office’ star.

Anthony Mackie

Mackie faced a wave of criticism on Twitter after comments he made about gender roles. He stated in an interview that “make me a sandwich” was a reasonable request for a woman to show caring. He also garnered negative attention for comments suggesting dreadlocks were associated with criminal profiling. Users accused him of respecting respectability politics over racial justice. The actor has since been more cautious with his social commentary.

Faizon Love

Love went viral for criticizing Jay-Z and his past drug dealing narratives. He also made controversial comments regarding Snoop Dogg and his street credibility. The actor frequently engages in interviews where he disparages other figures in the industry. These clips often circulate on YouTube and social media platforms. His willingness to attack peers has made him a polarizing figure.

Darius McCrary

McCrary was accused by his on-screen mother from ‘Family Matters’ of being disrespectful. Jo Marie Payton alleged that he physically exhibited aggressive behavior on set during the show’s run. He has also faced allegations of domestic abuse in his personal life. The actor has denied these claims and often takes to social media to defend himself. The contrast between his wholesome TV character and these reports shocked fans.

Clifton Powell

Powell was sued in civil court regarding allegations of rape that occurred in Louisiana. The lawsuit claimed he assaulted a woman in a hotel room. He denied the allegations and countersued for defamation. The legal battle brought negative attention to the veteran character actor. The case generated discussions about accountability and the statute of limitations.

Shameik Moore

Moore faced backlash for tweets he posted about Rosa Parks and the civil rights movement. He suggested that Parks could have taken a taxi to avoid the bus boycott conflict. Users educated him on the organized nature of the boycott and the systemic racism of the era. He attempted to clarify his point about black economic power but the damage was done. The comments were viewed as historically illiterate and insensitive.

Mike Epps

Epps brought a live kangaroo on stage during a comedy show in Detroit. The animal appeared distressed and the handler was seen pulling it by its harness. Animal rights activists and fans condemned the stunt as cruel and unnecessary. Epps later apologized and said he did not intend to harm the animal. The video of the incident remains a sore point for animal lovers.

Chris Tucker

Tucker was once the highest-paid actor in Hollywood but went viral for his massive debt. It was reported that he owed the IRS more than $14 million in back taxes. The financial troubles coincided with a long hiatus from major film roles. He eventually settled the debt but the news became a cautionary tale about celebrity wealth. He has since returned to stand-up and select acting roles.

Eddie Murphy

Murphy was involved in a paternity scandal with Spice Girl Melanie Brown. He famously told a reporter he would not claim the child until a DNA test was performed. The test eventually confirmed he was the father of Angel Iris Murphy Brown. The public denial was seen as callous and damaged his image as a family man. He has since reconciled and built a relationship with his daughter.

Trey Songz

Songz has faced multiple accusations of sexual assault and misconduct. The singer and actor has been named in lawsuits alleging violence in nightclubs and at house parties. He has denied the allegations through his legal team. The recurring nature of the accusations has led to calls for his cancellation on social media. Despite the controversies, he has continued to release music and appear in projects.

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