These celebs have no one to blame but themselves. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most notorious controversies that tainted the legacies of prominent celebrities and ultimately led to their downfall.
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00:00 "These women displayed tremendous strength and bravery by coming forward to law enforcement
00:04 and participating directly in two grueling criminal trials."
00:07 Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we will be looking at the most notorious controversies
00:12 that tainted the legacies of prominent celebrities and ultimately led to their downfall.
00:17 "With that single inflammatory tweet, Roseanne's rising star imploded today."
00:23 Sean "Diddy" Combs
00:26 Throughout his lengthy career, music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs has faced several legal issues
00:31 ranging from physical assault to weapons violations and sexual harassment.
00:36 Surprisingly, none of these cases significantly affected his career until 2023. In November of
00:42 that year, Combs' former partner, singer, and actress Cassie filed a lawsuit alleging sexual
00:48 assault, sex trafficking, and domestic violence during their decade-long relationship.
00:54 "This was really big news in the hip-hop space and beyond for a few key reasons. First of all,
01:00 the severity of the allegations were utterly shocking."
01:04 Although Combs denied the allegations through his attorney, he swiftly reached a settlement
01:08 with Cassie the day after the lawsuit was filed. In the subsequent weeks,
01:12 additional sexual assault lawsuits emerged, including one involving a minor. These
01:17 allegations led to Combs relinquishing his position as the chairman of the digital cable network,
01:23 Revolt TV. "Today he is separating himself from one of his business ventures. Combs stepped down
01:30 from his position as chairman in the film and television company called Revolt."
01:34 Justin Roiland
01:35 Though not the most recognizable celebrity, Justin Roiland gained fame as the co-creator
01:41 of the popular adult swim series Rick and Morty. "Dad, there's a way we do this now."
01:47 "Morty, would you please accompany me to Forbodulon Prime for death crystals?"
01:53 "Well, thank you for asking. Yes, I will do that."
01:56 However, his career took a hit in January 2023 when it was reported that he was charged with
02:02 felony domestic battery and false imprisonment for a 2020 incident involving his then-girlfriend.
02:08 This triggered a cascade of allegations against Roiland, ranging from predatory behavior towards
02:14 minors to sexual harassment in the workplace. In the wake of these allegations, Adult Swim
02:19 and other companies affiliated with Roiland severed ties with him. Although Roiland's
02:24 criminal charges were dismissed in March due to insufficient evidence, fresh accusations
02:29 against him had emerged by September. He, however, denied the claims through his attorney.
02:34 Isaiah Washington
02:36 Hollywood actor Isaiah Washington is mostly known for one role and one role only,
02:41 Dr. Preston Burke on Grey's Anatomy.
02:44 "The honor of performing first surgery is reserved for the intern that shows the most promise.
02:49 As I'm running the O.R. today, I get to make that choice.
02:53 George O'Malley."
02:57 "Me?"
02:57 "You'll scrub in for an apodectomy this afternoon."
03:00 This is because after Washington was fired from the show, his career took a nosedive and never
03:05 recovered. Washington's dismissal stemmed from an on-set incident in which he called his co-star,
03:11 T.R. Knight, a homophobic slur. Then, after the matter became public, Washington was questioned
03:17 about it at the Golden Globes, and went on to repeat the same slur.
03:21 "During this Golden Globes press conference, Washington, standing with the show's cast,
03:26 used a homophobic slur in an effort to set the record straight
03:29 about an on-set incident with fellow cast member T.R. Knight."
03:33 A few months later, he was let go from the series. The media attention around the incident
03:38 essentially forced Knight, who reportedly hadn't even disclosed his sexual orientation
03:42 to his family yet, to come out publicly.
03:45 "No, no, no soul searching and no apology to T.R. Knight. What I apologize for,
03:49 and I will continue to apologize for, for if you're going to be accused of something,
03:53 you don't go on the Golden Globes and use the very word that you've been accused of using.
03:57 That was a huge mistake."
03:59 Ryan Lochte
04:00 You know your career is in jeopardy when a scandal adds the infamous "gate" suffix to your name.
04:06 The incident known as "Lochtegate" unfolded during the 2016
04:10 Summer Olympics in Brazil, involving US swimmer Ryan Lochte and three teammates.
04:16 "He took our money, he took my wallet, and then..."
04:20 "But he left your cell phone, he left your credential."
04:22 "He left my cell phone, he left my credential, but he took my wallet,
04:26 and he took all the guys' cash."
04:28 Lochte initially claimed that they were robbed at a gas station by armed individuals
04:33 impersonating police officers. However, Brazilian authorities conducted an investigation
04:39 and found no evidence of such robbery. Instead, they determined that the swimmers had vandalized
04:44 the gas station and were made to pay for the damages by the security guards.
04:48 Lochte later publicly apologized, admitting that he had exaggerated the incident.
04:52 "I'm human. I made a mistake, and that's something that I'm gonna have to live with."
04:57 Consequently, he was suspended for 10 months by USA Swimming
05:01 and lost all of his major sponsorships.
05:03 Amber Heard
05:05 Although the marriage between Amber Heard and Johnny Depp was brief,
05:08 it triggered a series of events that would ultimately ruin Heard's career.
05:12 "It was very, very toxic. We were awful to each other. You know, I made a lot of,
05:18 lot of mistakes. A lot of mistakes. But I've always told the truth."
05:26 During their 2016 divorce proceedings, Heard accused Depp of domestic violence,
05:31 a claim she appeared to reiterate in a 2018 article. As a result, Depp sued Heard for
05:37 defamation, claiming that he was the actual victim of domestic violence. Heard countersued Depp,
05:42 resulting in a trial that was widely watched and received extensive social media coverage,
05:48 most of which was critical towards Heard.
05:50 "There's absolutely no question that, especially Johnny Depp's lawyers,
05:54 are playing to the public. There's no question."
05:58 Ultimately, the jury dismissed all but one of Heard's claims, and ruled that she had defamed
06:04 Depp. This portrayed her as dishonest in the public eye, and effectively tarnished her reputation
06:09 in Hollywood.
06:10 Jonathan Majors
06:12 Ever since his screen debut in 2017, Jonathan Majors had been on a steady rise in Hollywood.
06:17 In 2023, he began portraying Kang the Conqueror in the MCU,
06:22 a character expected to play a central role in the franchise's sixth phase.
06:26 "You're out of your league, Ant-Man.
06:30 Just be glad I need you."
06:38 However, that March, Majors faced a series of charges including assault and aggravated
06:44 harassment stemming from an incident with his then-girlfriend. Subsequently,
06:48 multiple individuals came forward alleging that he had also assaulted them.
06:52 The consequences followed swiftly. Majors was dropped by his management company and PR firm,
06:58 and his film, Magazine Dreams, was removed from Disney's release schedule.
07:02 A criminal trial for the assault charges began in November 2023,
07:06 finding Majors guilty of misdemeanor assault and harassment. Marvel dropped him from future
07:11 productions.
07:12 "Oh, it was colossal that Marvel dropped, you know, Jonathan from future projects. Colossal.
07:17 We're talking about the most successful film franchise of all times, the most visible project
07:23 that he's been a part of."
07:24 Michael Vick
07:25 Once the highest-paid NFL player, Michael Vick enjoyed great success as a star quarterback
07:30 for the Atlanta Falcons.
07:32 "Vick steps up, enters the red zone, inside the 15, the 10, turns the corner, dies, touchdown!"
07:40 "The Giants defense, you can't play him in true man-to-man because you're turning your back to
07:45 him. It just parts like the Red Sea in front of him."
07:47 However, in 2007, his career took a hit when it was revealed that he had operated a venture
07:53 called Bad News Kennels, which organized illegal dog fights. Authorities searched Vick's property
08:00 in Surrey County, Virginia, and discovered disturbing evidence of animal cruelty.
08:05 Consequently, Vick pleaded guilty to federal and state charges related to running the dog
08:10 fighting ring, resulting in a 23-month sentence in federal prison.
08:14 "Best thing for me, that ever happened to me in my life,
08:17 was me getting shipped off to Kansas, man. Because other than that, I wasn't going to change."
08:24 The scandal prompted the NFL to indefinitely suspend Vick,
08:27 and led to the loss of multiple sponsorship deals. Although he eventually made a comeback,
08:32 this incident remains a significant stain on Vick's once-pristine career.
08:38 Milli Vanilli
08:39 For a short period in the late '80s and early '90s, German-French duo
08:44 Milli Vanilli were one of the biggest acts in pop music.
08:47 "Girl, you know it's true. Oh, oh, oh, I love you."
08:55 They toured the world on the back of their hit debut album, released in the U.S. as
08:59 "Girl, You Know It's True," and won the Grammy for Best New Artist.
09:03 "We want to say thank you very much, but we want to say
09:06 there are a lot of artists here in this room, there are a lot of artists outside in the world
09:11 who can achieve the same award that we achieved today."
09:14 But their newfound fame vanished almost as quickly as it emerged,
09:18 when it was revealed that the two didn't sing on any of their album's tracks.
09:23 Instead, their producer, Frank Farian, had hired other vocalists to perform the songs,
09:28 while Milli Vanilli only lip-synced.
09:30 As a result, the duo were forced to return their Grammy to the Recording Academy,
09:35 and were dropped by their label, Arista Records.
09:38 "The purpose of the event was to announce the pair was returning the Grammy awards they won
09:42 for the Best New Artist of 1989. But the Recording Academy had already
09:48 stripped them of the trophies the day before."
09:50 Jeffrey Jones
09:51 With roles in iconic '80s movies like Ferris Bueller's Day Off and Beetlejuice,
09:56 Jeffrey Jones became one of the most revered character actors in Hollywood.
10:00 "Welcome home."
10:01 "Charles!"
10:02 "It's ok, there's no damage. Look, see, it's ok. Good, sturdy country craftsmanship.
10:07 And look at that kitchen. You're finally going to be able to cook a decent meal."
10:11 His career continued to blossom throughout the '90s,
10:14 but came to a screeching halt in 2002 when he made headlines for all the wrong reasons.
10:20 Jones had been indicted for possession of explicit photographs involving a minor,
10:24 and pleaded no contest to the charges.
10:26 Although he received no jail time, he was sentenced to five years' probation
10:30 and made to register as a sex offender. Since then, Jones has managed a few film
10:35 and TV appearances, but his career has never remained the same.
10:38 "You ever been beaten, Merrick?"
10:40 "Once, when I thought I had the smallpox, Doc Cochran slapped me in the face."
10:49 Pete Rose
10:51 As a Major League Baseball player, Pete Rose was outstanding.
10:55 "It's the batting stance that he's vulnerable in.
10:57 If you have a lump in your throat, you're only human."
11:00 Among his plethora of accolades, Rose won Rookie of the Year, MVP, and three World Series rings.
11:08 Following a phenomenal career as a player, Rose began managing the Cincinnati Reds,
11:12 the same team with which he got his professional start. In 1988, evidence surfaced showing that
11:18 Rose had bet on baseball games, including those on his own team, the Reds.
11:22 "But all I can tell you about that is I did nothing to alter the statistics of baseball."
11:28 "The problem a lot of people still have is, why would he do it? Why would he bet on baseball?"
11:32 "I screwed up. I screwed up."
11:33 "Why risk the integrity of the game?"
11:35 "I don't know."
11:35 Although he initially denied the claims, Rose agreed to a lifetime ban from the sport,
11:40 eventually ruling himself ineligible for the Baseball Hall of Fame.
11:44 After years of repeated denials, Rose published an autobiography in 2004,
11:49 in which he publicly admitted to the gambling allegations.
11:52 "You denied that you bet on baseball for 14 years. Why did you wait so long?"
11:56 "Uh, that's a good question."
11:58 Danny Masterson
11:59 After rising to prominence on the Fox comedy series That '70s Show, Danny Masterson further
12:04 established himself with roles in other sitcoms like Men at Work and The Ranch.
12:09 "Yeah, he just said good job and then I think he felt nauseous and went outside to get some air."
12:14 Controversy erupted in 2017, however, when Masterson was accused of sexual assault
12:19 by four women. This led Netflix to fire him from The Ranch. The women claimed that Masterson
12:24 assaulted them during their time in the Church of Scientology, of which he was also a member.
12:30 Additionally, they alleged that other church members harassed them after they came forward
12:34 with their allegations. Despite vehemently denying the accusations, Masterson was charged with three
12:40 counts of sexual assault and ultimately convicted of two. He was sentenced to 30 years to life in
12:46 prison.
12:46 "The three women in this case told the judge that Masterson's crimes had ruined their lives
12:51 and asked the judge to give the actor life behind bars."
12:54 Anthony Weiner
12:55 Former New York Congressman Anthony Weiner earned national attention in 2010 after giving an
13:00 impassioned speech on the House floor. About a year later, he found himself in the headlines again,
13:05 this time for sending lewd photos of himself to a woman on Twitter, who was not his wife.
13:11 The ensuing controversy resulted in him resigning from Congress in June of 2011.
13:16 "Unfortunately, the distraction that I have created has made that impossible.
13:21 So today I am announcing my resignation from Congress."
13:25 Following an absence from the spotlight, Weiner resurfaced in 2013, announcing a bid for Mayor of
13:31 New York City. But yet again, allegations of even more sexting ran his campaign to the ground. In
13:36 2017, Weiner faced criminal charges after it was revealed that he had exchanged explicit material
13:42 with a minor. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison.
13:46 "Weiner was hoping to avoid any jail time, looking for probation. His lawyers arguing
13:51 that he's on his way to recovery and would not receive proper therapy inside prison."
13:56 Kevin Spacey
13:57 Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey was at the peak of his career in 2017
14:02 when he experienced a dramatic downfall.
14:04 "I imagine that many of you can understand
14:06 that there's a lot for me to process after what has just happened today."
14:12 It all began with actor Anthony Rapp accusing Spacey of sexually assaulting him when he was a
14:18 minor. In response, Spacey publicly apologized to Rapp, then inexplicably decided to use the
14:23 opportunity to come out as gay, a move that was met with swift backlash. Rapp's claims were
14:28 followed by a wave of other allegations, resulting in Spacey being fired from House of Cards,
14:34 dropped by his publicist and talent agency, and quite literally scrubbed out of a film.
14:39 Spacey faced multiple criminal sexual assault charges in both the U.S.
14:43 and U.K., but was ultimately cleared of all of them.
14:47 "And he's been found not guilty of all of these offenses. Kevin Spacey will see this
14:52 as an opportunity to revive his career, but what played out in court was truly riveting."
14:58 Michael Richards
14:59 As Cosmo Kramer on Seinfeld, Michael Richards was beloved by millions of fans, who, for years,
15:05 closely associated him with the eccentric but lovable character.
15:09 "Jerry, I know myself. If I'm out on the street and it starts to go down,
15:14 I don't back off until it's finished."
15:16 "Are we finished?"
15:18 "Done."
15:20 In 2006, that perception changed dramatically when a recording of Richards' set at the
15:26 Laugh Factory was released by TMZ. In the clip, Richards bursts into an expletive-riddled racist
15:33 rant after he is heckled by some members of the audience. Days later, Richards made a virtual
15:38 appearance on The Late Show with David Letterman, in which he publicly apologized for his remarks.
15:44 "I'm really busted up over this and I'm very, very sorry to those people in the audience,
15:51 the blacks, the Hispanics, the whites, everyone that was there that took the brunt of that
15:57 anger and hate and rage."
16:00 Many, including one of the effective audience members, were unconvinced by this apology.
16:05 In 2007, Richards announced he was dropping his mic and retiring from stand-up comedy.
16:11 "But no, no, I, I, I, I, uh, uh, uh, uh, I busted up after that event seven years ago.
16:19 It broke me down."
16:20 Mark Sulling
16:21 Mark Sulling rose to prominence playing football star and bad boy Noah Puckerman
16:25 on the Fox musical series Glee.
16:28 "Sweet Caroline."
16:32 Sulling lost significant favor in December 2015 when he was arrested based on the suspicion
16:39 that he possessed explicit pictures and videos involving minors.
16:43 This suspicion was later confirmed after police discovered the unsavory material on his computer
16:48 and flash drives. He was brought up on criminal charges the following May and eventually pleaded
16:54 guilty to the crime. In light of the scandal, the actor was fired from an upcoming project
16:58 with filmmaker Adi Shankar. While awaiting sentencing, Sulling took his own life in
17:04 January of 2018.
17:05 "This is where Sulling's body was discovered near a riverbed in Sunland.
17:10 Happened right around 8.50 this morning. TMZ is reporting that Sulling may have taken his own life."
17:15 Paula Deen
17:16 The one celebrity chef famous for her traditional Southern recipes,
17:20 Paula Deen led a successful cooking empire, with multiple restaurants and TV shows.
17:25 "Food is a vehicle that gets you here with me. But look at this. And look at that."
17:32 "That's heaven on earth."
17:34 This empire began to crumble, however, when a former employee sued Deen for discrimination.
17:39 The lawsuit brought with it a deposition, during which Deen admitted to having used
17:44 racial slurs in the past.
17:45 "According to the deposition, Deen was asked, 'Have you ever used the n-word yourself?'
17:49 To which she replies, 'Yes, of course.' When asked for context, she said it was in
17:54 a conversation with her husband."
17:55 Once the transcript found its way to the public in 2013,
17:59 Deen released multiple tearful apologies, pleading for forgiveness.
18:03 That did little to stop her from losing several sponsors and her contract with the Food Network.
18:08 "The Food Network's decision has caused a backlash of its own.
18:11 Many of her angry fans flooded its Facebook page with comments like,
18:16 'Please bring Paula Deen back and I will no longer watch the Food Network
18:20 because of the unjust treatment of Paula.'"
18:23 Since then, the Georgia chef has attempted a comeback,
18:26 opening even more restaurants and launching her own online food channel.
18:30 However, she has yet to attain the same level of success.
18:33 Jared Fogle
18:35 Beginning in the early 2000s, Jared Fogle became a spokesman for Subway Restaurants
18:40 after claiming that their meals played a part in his rapid weight loss.
18:44 "Then I found Subway Restaurants,
18:45 and I realized I could enjoy lots of great tasting food without lots of fat."
18:50 Fogle began appearing in a series of commercials for the company,
18:53 and reportedly contributed to significant growth in Subway's sales.
18:57 Things took a shocking turn in 2015, however, when Fogle's home was raided,
19:01 and he was arrested as a result of a lengthy FBI investigation.
19:05 "A month ago, authorities raided his Indiana home,
19:08 confiscating cell phones, hard drives, and cameras."
19:11 "You just wouldn't expect it out of a family like that."
19:13 "Just hours after that raid, Subway suspended their relationship with Jared."
19:17 Apparently, Fogle had engaged in "inappropriate relationships with minors"
19:21 and distributed "obscene material involving youth."
19:24 He pleaded guilty to multiple criminal charges,
19:27 and was sentenced to more than 15 years in prison.
19:30 "Jared Fogle expects to go to prison. He will do his time. He expects to get well.
19:36 He expects to continue to make amends to those people whose lives he has affected."
19:42 Stephen Collins
19:43 For more than a decade, Stephen Collins led the TV series 7th Heaven,
19:48 starring as Protestant minister Eric Camden.
19:51 "Welcome everyone.
19:52 I'd like to read something from Ecclesiastes,
19:58 although most of you may have thought this was from the birds."
20:01 He made a number of appearances in films and TV show afterwards,
20:04 only to completely disappear from the screen in 2014.
20:07 Collins had been embroiled in controversy that year when a tape recording leaked
20:12 featuring a man who sounded like the actor admitting to assaulting a minor in the past.
20:18 "When did you realize she was wearing a wire?"
20:20 "She took me into a stairwell and she told me there, she revealed that,
20:26 she said, 'I recorded. I was wearing a wire. I recorded that session.'"
20:32 He eventually confessed to the crime, disclosing that he had engaged in
20:35 inappropriate sexual conduct with three female minors in 1973, 1982, and 1994.
20:43 Although he evaded prosecution reportedly due to the statute of limitations,
20:48 Collins was fired from multiple Hollywood projects and has stayed away from the spotlight ever since.
20:53 "Following the October release of the tape, Collins had lost acting jobs
20:57 and the show that made him famous has been pulled from syndication."
21:01 Lance Armstrong
21:02 Once widely regarded as one of the greatest cyclists of all time,
21:05 Lance Armstrong brought global attention to the sport.
21:08 "Armstrong wins the Tour de France."
21:10 "For seven straight years, he dominated arguably the hardest sporting event in the world."
21:15 Armstrong won seven consecutive Tour de France titles, a feat made more impressive by the fact
21:20 that he had beat cancer a few years prior. Despite all of that acclaim, Armstrong faced
21:25 allegations of doping for years, which he continuously denied.
21:29 "It's unfortunate that the yellow jersey of the Tour de France always has to defend
21:32 drugs. Extraordinary accusations must be followed up with extraordinary proof."
21:38 "You said that I am the cancer and the cancer is out of remission.
21:41 You are not worth the chair that you're sitting on with a statement like that."
21:45 It all came to a head in 2012 when the United States Anti-Doping Agency found him guilty of
21:50 not only taking enhancement drugs, but also of running a doping syndicate. Armstrong was
21:55 stripped of all of his titles and received a lifetime ban from all sports under the World
22:00 Anti-Doping Code.
22:02 "The UCI Cycling's governing body at that press conference going on in Switzerland right now,
22:06 officially stripping Armstrong, banning him for life, saying, quote, 'There is no place
22:10 in cycling for Lance Armstrong.'"
22:12 Army Hammer. This actor was on the rise throughout the 2010s,
22:16 starring in The Lone Ranger and The Man from UNCLE, before earning critical acclaim as Oliver
22:21 in Call Me By Your Name.
22:23 "So what do you do around here?"
22:24 "Read books, transcribe music, swim at the river, go out at night."
22:32 "That sounds fun."
22:34 But everything collapsed in January of 2021. It was then that text messages that revealed
22:40 Hammer's violent fantasies were made public.
22:43 "For weeks I've been trying to process everything that has transpired. I am shocked,
22:48 heartbroken, and devastated."
22:50 Other women also came forward with additional allegations,
22:53 and the woman who leaked the original texts accused Hammer of sexually assaulting her in 2017.
22:59 The actor dropped out or was fired from a string of projects and moved to the Cayman Islands,
23:04 where he reportedly worked as a timeshare salesman.
23:07 "I'm not responding to these expletive claims, but in light of the vicious
23:11 online attacks against me, I cannot in good conscience now leave my children
23:16 for four months to shoot a film."
23:17 In 2023, the Los Angeles DA declined to charge him criminally due to insufficient evidence.
23:24 Charlie Sheen
23:25 This actor enjoyed decades of success, with his mainstream popularity spanning back to the late
23:30 80s.
23:31 "Your problem is you."
23:32 "Excuse me?"
23:34 "Excuse you. You ought to spend a little more time dealing with yourself,
23:39 a little less time worrying about what your brother does. That's just an opinion."
23:43 However, he underwent a very public downfall throughout the 2010s,
23:47 owing mainly to his problems with substance use.
23:50 Following a stint in rehab, Sheen was fired from Two and a Half Men
23:54 for making offensive comments about his boss, Chuck Lorre.
23:58 "The show claimed that you were unable to perform your duties,
24:02 that you cited erratic behavior and derogatory public comments about the show.
24:06 You claim it was wrongful termination. Is the truth somewhere in the middle there, Charlie?"
24:10 "The derogatory stuff is true."
24:12 The termination resulted in a lot of publicity for the actor,
24:15 as did his increasingly erratic behavior.
24:17 He rode this publicity and found consistent work,
24:20 including an FX sitcom called Anger Management that ran for 100 episodes.
24:25 "Guys, this is huge. This is bigger than huge."
24:28 However, Sheen's star had undeniably faded,
24:31 and he has only had minimal work in TV or film since 2017.
24:35 Matt Lauer
24:37 One of the most prominent American newsmen,
24:39 Matt Lauer, found great success co-hosting the NBC program Today.
24:43 He lasted 20 years on the show, with his tenure spanning from 1997 to 2017.
24:49 "We're very excited to be celebrating you, Matt,
24:51 and Al and I were lucky enough to be here when it all started in 1997."
24:57 It was in that year that a fellow NBC employee reported that Lauer had repeatedly harassed her.
25:02 Many other allegations were reported throughout the following years,
25:05 and according to journalist Ronan Farrow, NBC was fully aware of Lauer's predatory behavior.
25:11 "The evidence in this book, the documentation and paper trail of settlements,
25:15 reveals that there were multiple arrangements to keep women quiet
25:21 who had allegations against Matt Lauer years before this one that got him fired."
25:25 They only acted following the public accusation and fired Lauer in November 2017.
25:30 Lauer and his wife divorced in 2019,
25:33 and Lauer has reportedly spent his time writing a tell-all book.
25:37 "It had been a stunning fall from grace for Matt Lauer.
25:40 After his firing, his wife divorced him. He's selling his $44 million Hamptons home
25:45 and went almost totally dark on social media."
25:48 Roseanne Barr
25:49 There was once a time when Roseanne Barr was the hottest name in television.
25:53 Her eponymous sitcom was a huge success throughout the late '80s and '90s,
25:57 running for 10 seasons and earning Barr an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy.
26:02 "Oh, hold it right there.
26:04 You are very, very mean to me and hurt my feelings today,
26:07 and I'm not sure that I even want to talk to you yet."
26:09 The show was revived in 2018, but it only lasted one season,
26:13 before Barr's controversial actions got it canceled.
26:16 On May 29th of that year, Barr wrote a racist tweet
26:19 aimed at former White House senior advisor Valerie Jarrett.
26:23 "Within hours, ABC pulled the plug on the show, saying Roseanne's Twitter statement is abhorrent,
26:29 repugnant, and inconsistent with our values, and we've decided to cancel her show."
26:34 The reaction was swift and severe, with ABC cancelling the show that same day.
26:39 A spin-off titled "The Conners" was made without Barr,
26:41 and she disappeared from the television landscape.
26:44 "I know Roseanne would want me to step in and watch over the family."
26:47 "No, it'd kill her.
26:49 But she's already dead, so carry on."
26:53 Bill O'Reilly
26:54 One of the most popular conservative commentators, Bill O'Reilly,
26:58 was known for hosting The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News.
27:01 "Hi, I'm Bill O'Reilly. Thanks for watching us tonight. We'll have the talking points
27:05 memo a bit later on, but first, an interview with Donald Trump."
27:08 Which ran for 21 seasons between 1996 and 2017.
27:12 While the program was an enormous success in the ratings,
27:15 it came to a sudden end once settlements against O'Reilly were made known.
27:19 The New York Times broke a story and revealed that O'Reilly had been the target of
27:23 five sexual harassment lawsuits.
27:25 "The path to O'Reilly's ouster began two weeks ago with a New York Times investigation
27:31 revealing that five women, including guests and employees of his show,
27:35 had been paid $13 million in settlements."
27:38 Both he and Fox News paid millions in settlements to keep them under wraps.
27:42 Advertisers dropped their support for The O'Reilly Factor once the news was made public,
27:47 and Fox fired their most popular host.
27:50 He then started hosting a podcast called No Spin News.
27:53 "Bill O'Reilly here, welcome to the No Spin News."
27:56 Jussie Smollett. Beginning in 2015,
27:58 ex-Child star Jussie Smollett began starring as Jamal Lyon on Fox's Empire.
28:04 "Is this your idea of a sick joke?
28:06 Nah, I mean, you seem kind of jealous of the song I wrote for mom, so I wrote one for you.
28:12 Did you know about this?"
28:16 The series was an immediate success, garnering several Emmy nominations,
28:20 and being named one of the 10 Best Shows of the Year by the American Film Institute.
28:25 In January 2019, Smollett fabricated a fake hate crime,
28:29 and was later sued by the city of Chicago.
28:32 "Breaking overnight. A law enforcement source familiar with the investigation
28:36 tells NBC News that Chicago police are now looking into whether Empire actor Jussie Smollett
28:42 actually paid two men to fake an attack against him."
28:46 They filed a lawsuit hoping to reclaim over $130,000 that they had spent fruitlessly
28:51 investigating Smollett's tall tale. He was also fired from Empire and hasn't appeared on TV since.
28:58 In December of 2021, Smollett was found guilty of five felony counts of disorderly conduct
29:03 and sentenced to 150 days in county jail.
29:06 "There are people that are actual, genuine victims of hate crimes that you did damage to.
29:11 I don't know how this is going to impact other people, if they're going to be hesitant to come
29:15 forward because they're going to think that they're going to be accused of acting like you."
29:19 Kanye West
29:20 Ever since making his debut as a recording artist in the early 2000s,
29:24 Kanye West became one of the most influential figures of the 21st century, in hip-hop and fashion.
29:30 "Yeah, I always find something wrong. You've been putting up with my issues just way too long."
29:38 Throughout his career, West has been at the center of controversy more than just a handful of times,
29:43 but perhaps the most consequential came in 2022. The rapper was first criticized for wearing a
29:48 white "Lives Matter" t-shirt at the Paris Fashion Week.
29:52 "I thought the shirt was a funny shirt. I thought the idea of me wearing it was funny."
29:58 Soon after, he tweeted anti-Semitic remarks when he was locked out of his Instagram account.
30:03 West faced immediate backlash, resulting in the loss of his billionaire status
30:08 and multiple business partnerships with companies like Balenciaga, Gap, and Adidas.
30:13 Other brands have made similar moves. Gap is now pulling its Yeezy Gap line from store shelves.
30:19 Luxury fashion house Balenciaga and talent agency CAA have dropped him.
30:24 A completed documentary about his life has also been shelved.
30:28 While West has been said to have mental health issues,
30:31 it's clear his career will likely never be the same.
30:34 Phil Spector
30:36 Throughout the 1960s and '70s, Phil Spector was a highly sought-after music producer,
30:41 having worked with acts like The Beatles, The Righteous Brothers, and Ike and Tina Turner.
30:46 Over the next few decades, he retreated from the spotlight,
30:49 only to make headlines in 2003 for all the wrong reasons.
30:53 "He appeared eccentric, troubled, lonely, a man mired in his own darkness."
30:58 On February 3rd of that year, Spector fatally shot actress Lana Clarkson in his
31:03 Alhambra, California home. This led to murder charges, and in 2007,
31:08 he faced a trial that ended in a mistrial. A second trial commenced the following year,
31:13 ultimately resulting in his conviction and a prison sentence of 19 years to life.
31:18 "But after one mistrial, Spector was convicted in 2009 of second-degree murder."
31:24 "His legacy will forever be that of a convicted murderer who happened to write songs."
31:29 In January 2021, while serving his sentence,
31:32 Spector died, reportedly from complications of COVID-19.
31:36 R. Kelly
31:38 A huge star of the '90s, R. Kelly is a multi-Grammy winner who has sold over 75 million records.
31:44 "I believe I can fly. I believe I can touch the sky."
31:52 However, he was also reportedly accused of sexual misconduct and assault by multiple individuals.
31:58 Kelly managed to evade consequences for his behavior for decades, until the release of the
32:02 2019 Lifetime documentary Surviving R. Kelly, which chronicled his history of allegations.
32:08 "I felt like my silence allowed it to continue."
32:13 "I worked up the courage to come forward and tell my story."
32:16 "A part of me always felt like maybe I did something for him to treat me that way."
32:21 "I want my story to be heard."
32:23 Following its release, the singer was dropped by RCA Records and charged with new crimes.
32:28 He was found guilty of racketeering and of violating the Mann Act,
32:32 which concerns the transportation of women for illicit activities.
32:36 Kelly faced another trial in the state of Illinois and was found guilty,
32:39 bringing his total prison sentence to 31 years.
32:43 "And showed no remorse and in fact seemed to believe that as a music superstar,
32:47 he was somehow immune from having to behave lawfully."
32:51 Harvey Weinstein
32:52 This man was once a powerful figure in Hollywood.
32:55 "Harvey Weinstein was the king of Hollywood. A mogul with 81 Oscars to his name."
33:02 The co-founder of both Miramax and The Weinstein Company, Harvey Weinstein is the Oscar and Tony
33:07 winning producer behind works like Pulp Fiction, Good Will Hunting, and Shakespeare in Love.
33:13 However, behind the scenes, he used his power and influence to sexually harass and assault women.
33:19 Things came to a head in October of 2017, when The New York Times and The New Yorker
33:24 reported over a dozen allegations against him, sparking the #MeToo movement.
33:30 "It's been five years since allegations against Harvey Weinstein set in motion a movement that
33:35 changed Hollywood and the world. Some women still hoping for justice."
33:40 In total, over 80 women came forth accusing Weinstein of harassment and/or assault,
33:46 including popular actress Rose McGowan.
33:48 Weinstein was charged and found guilty of two felonies and sentenced to 23 years in prison.
33:55 "We have breaking news for you. Harvey Weinstein is heading to prison.
33:58 Judge James Burke in New York City just delivered the sentence. 23 years."
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34:18 Bill Cosby
34:19 While he had been a successful comedian since the '60s, Bill Cosby is mostly remembered for
34:25 starring as Cliff Huxtable in the enormously popular The Cosby Show.
34:29 "It's under control. So, no problem."
34:33 "How do you expect to get into college with grades like this?"
34:37 "No problem. See, I'm not going to college."
34:41 "Damn right."
34:42 He gained a reputation as "America's Dad" throughout the 1980s,
34:46 but this changed dramatically in the 2010s. After comedian Hannibal Buress drew attention
34:51 to allegations against Cosby in 2014, numerous women came forward with further accusations of
34:57 sexual assault, dating all the way back to the mid-'60s. On September 25th, 2018,
35:03 Cosby was sentenced to prison for aggravated indecent assault. He remained behind bars for
35:08 nearly three years, but his conviction was overturned on June 30th, 2021.
35:13 "The Philadelphia Supreme Court threw out the conviction, saying Cosby's due process
35:17 rights were violated."
35:18 While Cosby was released from prison, his career is effectively over.
35:23 Which of these washed-up celebrities do you think we'll be seeing again? Let us know in the comments.
35:28 "Are you sorry you said that?"
35:29 "No."
35:30 "I think it matters. You should be."
35:32 "Absolutely not."
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35:43 [Music]