Hollywood Icons Or Scumbags? 13 Beloved Stars Who Had Horrific Charges Leveled Against Them

Bill Cosby isn’t the only famous person celebrated for their brilliance whose reputation has taken a beating. Click through this list of some of Hollywood’s brightest stars (some of whom had cuddly, wholesome images) that allegedly have an ugly side.

Bill Cosby isn’t the only famous person celebrated for their brilliance whose reputation has taken a beating. Click through this list of some of Hollywood’s brightest stars (some of whom had cuddly, wholesome images) that allegedly have an ugly side.

Bill Cosby isn’t the only famous person celebrated for their brilliance whose reputation has taken a beating. Click through this list of some of Hollywood’s brightest stars (some of whom had cuddly, wholesome images) that allegedly have an ugly side.

Back in the 1980s Michael Jackson was just an eccentric, childlike megastar who spent his time with llamas, chimps and kids when not busy raking in millions of dollars. Then in 1993 he faced child abuse allegations that he sexually molested 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. Protesting his innocence, Jackson settled out of court following a civil suit. He was later acquitted of criminal charges in separate case in 2005.

Back in the 1980s Michael Jackson was just an eccentric, childlike megastar who spent his time with llamas, chimps and kids when not busy raking in millions of dollars. Then in 1993 he faced child abuse allegations that he sexually molested 13-year-old Jordan Chandler. Protesting his innocence, Jackson settled out of court following a civil suit. He was later acquitted of criminal charges in separate case in 2005.

He used to have a wholesome image and was praised as being one of R&B’s up-and-coming stars. But then Chris Brown decided to pummel his girlfriend Rihanna’s face with blows after they drove home following a pre-Grammy Awards party in 2009. Despite pleading guilty to a felony and receiving a five-year probation, his erratic behavior and violent temper led to rehab and a brief stint in jail in 2014.

He used to have a wholesome image and was praised as being one of R&B’s up-and-coming stars. But then Chris Brown decided to pummel his girlfriend Rihanna’s face with blows after they drove home following a pre-Grammy Awards party in 2009. Despite pleading guilty to a felony and receiving a five-year probation, his erratic behavior and violent temper led to rehab and a brief stint in jail in 2014.

In the 1970s, Gary Glitter was one of glam rock’s brightest stars. But the British singer – whose real name is Paul Gadd – is a pedophile who did time in a U.K. prison in the 1990s for taking indecent photos of children under 16. Upon his release he fled to Vietnam where he was later convicted of molesting two girls aged 11 and 12.

In the 1970s, Gary Glitter was one of glam rock’s brightest stars. But the British singer – whose real name is Paul Gadd – is a pedophile who did time in a U.K. prison in the 1990s for taking indecent photos of children under 16. Upon his release he fled to Vietnam where he was later convicted of molesting two girls aged 11 and 12.

Charlie Sheen is always portrayed in the media as a lovable rogue who has a penchant for porn stars, drugs and booze. But the Anger Management star has been in trouble for violence against women more than once. In addition to “accidentally” shooting fiancée Kelly Preston in 1990, he has twice pled guilty to domestic abuse charges (for assaulting a girlfriend in 1996 and for his 2009 Christmas Day attack on then-wife Brooke Mueller.)

Charlie Sheen is always portrayed in the media as a lovable rogue who has a penchant for porn stars, drugs and booze. But the Anger Management star has been in trouble for violence against women more than once. In addition to “accidentally” shooting fiancée Kelly Preston in 1990, he has twice pled guilty to domestic abuse charges (for assaulting a girlfriend in 1996 and for his 2009 Christmas Day attack on then-wife Brooke Mueller.)

A cute, cuddly pop star who sings with Gwyneth Paltrow and the Muppets or a man who allegedly slipped his date an ecstasy pill before having sex with her? Cee Lo Green’s reputation took a nosedive in 2014 when he pled guilty to felony possession of the illegal drug and then went on Twitter to plead his innocence in the face of the sexual assault claims. He later apologized for writing, “People who have really been raped REMEMBER!!!”

A cute, cuddly pop star who sings with Gwyneth Paltrow and the Muppets or a man who allegedly slipped his date an ecstasy pill before having sex with her? Cee Lo Green’s reputation took a nosedive in 2014 when he pled guilty to felony possession of the illegal drug and then went on Twitter to plead his innocence in the face of the sexual assault claims. He later apologized for writing, “People who have really been raped REMEMBER!!!”

For some he is their favorite James Bond. But to others Sean Connery will always be remembered for telling Playboy in 1965, “I don’t think there is anything particularly wrong about hitting a woman – although I don’t recommend doing it in the same way that you’d hit a man. An openhanded slap is justified – if all other alternatives fail and there has been plenty of warning.”

For some he is their favorite James Bond. But to others Sean Connery will always be remembered for telling Playboy in 1965, “I don’t think there is anything particularly wrong about hitting a woman – although I don’t recommend doing it in the same way that you’d hit a man. An openhanded slap is justified – if all other alternatives fail and there has been plenty of warning.”

John Lennon also made controversial comments about beating women to Playboy. The former Beatle, who preached peace at the height of the Vietnam War, admitted, “I used to be cruel to my woman, and physically – any woman. I couldn’t express myself, and I hit. I fought men and I hit women.”

John Lennon also made controversial comments about beating women to Playboy. The former Beatle, who preached peace at the height of the Vietnam War, admitted, “I used to be cruel to my woman, and physically – any woman. I couldn’t express myself, and I hit. I fought men and I hit women.”

There are two types of people in Hollywood: those who think Woody Allen is a comedy genius who makes iconic movies and those who – like his ex-partner Mia Farrow – believe he is a child molester who allegedly violated their adopted daughter Dylan. Allen was never charged with any wrongdoing and in February 2014 he wrote a lengthy New York Times piece categorically denying all the allegations.

There are two types of people in Hollywood: those who think Woody Allen is a comedy genius who makes iconic movies and those who – like his ex-partner Mia Farrow – believe he is a child molester who allegedly violated their adopted daughter Dylan. Allen was never charged with any wrongdoing and in February 2014 he wrote a lengthy New York Times piece categorically denying all the allegations.

There may be nothing wrong with a little bump and grind, but for many people R. Kelly’s musical talent is sullied by allegations he has a predilection for underage girls – accusations he has always brushed off. In addition to his 2008 acquittal on child pornography charges, there was a rumored annulled marriage to an underage Aaliyah and a lawsuit (later settled) in which a woman claimed Kelly allegedly had sex with her when she was 15.

There may be nothing wrong with a little bump and grind, but for many people R. Kelly’s musical talent is sullied by allegations he has a predilection for underage girls – accusations he has always brushed off. In addition to his 2008 acquittal on child pornography charges, there was a rumored annulled marriage to an underage Aaliyah and a lawsuit (later settled) in which a woman claimed Kelly allegedly had sex with her when she was 15.

Adored by hip-hop fans nearly 20 years after his death, Tupac Shakur’s mid-90s rape conviction is often glossed over when his musical legacy is discussed. In 1995 he was sentenced to prison for first-degree sexual abuse after a woman accused him and his entourage of forcing themselves on her. Shakur professed his innocence on The Arsenio Hall Show but went on to serve his time.

Adored by hip-hop fans nearly 20 years after his death, Tupac Shakur’s mid-90s rape conviction is often glossed over when his musical legacy is discussed. In 1995 he was sentenced to prison for first-degree sexual abuse after a woman accused him and his entourage of forcing themselves on her. Shakur professed his innocence on The Arsenio Hall Show but went on to serve his time.

Sean Penn may be a philanthropist who is quite rightly praised for his charitable efforts in Haiti. But buried away in the tempestuous actor’s past is the fact that he pled guilty to a misdemeanor after a 1988 domestic assault arrest. His victim was his wife Madonna, who was hospitalized after he allegedly beat her with a baseball bat.

Sean Penn may be a philanthropist who is quite rightly praised for his charitable efforts in Haiti. But buried away in the tempestuous actor’s past is the fact that he pled guilty to a misdemeanor after a 1988 domestic assault arrest. His victim was his wife Madonna, who was hospitalized after he allegedly beat her with a baseball bat.

A creative magician to some, Terry Richardson has faced a barrage of allegations that he sexually assaults models. In March 2014 one woman, Charlotte Waters, alleged that during a photo shoot when she was 19, he “had me unbutton his pants and he took his penis out.” Richardson has denied all such allegations dismissing them as concocted “hate-filled and libelous tales about my professional and personal lives.”

A creative magician to some, Terry Richardson has faced a barrage of allegations that he sexually assaults models. In March 2014 one woman, Charlotte Waters, alleged that during a photo shoot when she was 19, he “had me unbutton his pants and he took his penis out.” Richardson has denied all such allegations dismissing them as concocted “hate-filled and libelous tales about my professional and personal lives.”

Roman Polanski eroded any public sympathy he earned after his pregnant wife Sharon Tate was murdered by Charles Manson’s gang, the day he allegedly drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl. Although he accepted a plea bargain, in 1978 the famed director fled the U.S. to Europe and has resisted all subsequent attempts at extradition.

Roman Polanski eroded any public sympathy he earned after his pregnant wife Sharon Tate was murdered by Charles Manson’s gang, the day he allegedly drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl. Although he accepted a plea bargain, in 1978 the famed director fled the U.S. to Europe and has resisted all subsequent attempts at extradition.