Top Ten Celebrities Whose Work We Separate from Their Personal Lives
Individuals who contributed significantly in their artistic media, but whose private lives range from peculiar to appalling.The Top Ten
1 Roman Polanski
Roman Polanski is a French-Polish film directer, best known for Repulsion (1965), Rosemary's Baby (1968), and Chinatown (1974). His former wife, Sharon Tate, along with their unborn son, was murdered by followers of Charles Manson. Polanski is also a fugitive from the U.S. criminal justice system; he fled the country in 1977 while awaiting sentencing for unlawful intercourse with a minor.
Roman Polanski is a French-Polish film directer, best known for Repulsion (1965), Rosemary's Baby (1968), and Chinatown (1974). His former wife, Sharon Tate, along with their unborn son, was murdered by followers of Charles Manson. Polanski is also a fugitive from the U.S. criminal justice system; he fled the country in 1977 while awaiting sentencing for unlawful intercourse with a minor.
2 Bill Cosby
William Henry "Bill" Cosby Jr. is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author.
He is most famous for his contribution to the TV show "The Cosby Show," which he produced and starred in. His other works include "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids," "Kids Say the Darndest Things," and "I Spy," among others.
Over 60 women have accused him of sexual assault. These charges include rape, date... read more
William Henry "Bill" Cosby Jr. is an American stand-up comedian, actor, and author.He is most famous for his contribution to the TV show "The Cosby Show," which he produced and starred in. His other works include "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids," "Kids Say the Darndest Things," and "I Spy," among others.
Over 60 women have accused him of sexual assault. These charges include rape, date... read more
His "family" show was not-so-subtly racist. With the exception of his pal Robert Culp, every white man was portrayed as bumbling and hapless.
3 Phil Spector
Harvey Phillip Spector (born Harvey Philip Spector; December 26, 1939 – January 16, 2021) was an American record producer and songwriter, best known for his innovative recording practices and entrepreneurship in the 1960s, followed decades later by his two trials and conviction for murder in the 2000s. Spector developed the Wall of Sound, a production style that is characterized for its diffusion of tone colors and dense orchestral sound, which he described as a Wagnerian approach to rock and roll. He is regarded as one of the most influential figures in pop music history and one of the most successful producers of the 1960s. ...read more.
Harvey Phillip Spector (born Harvey Philip Spector; December 26, 1939 – January 16, 2021) was an American record producer and songwriter, best known for his innovative recording practices and entrepreneurship in the 1960s, followed decades later by his two trials and conviction for murder in the 2000s. Spector developed the Wall of Sound, a production style that is characterized for its diffusion of tone colors and dense orchestral sound, which he described as a Wagnerian approach to rock and roll. He is regarded as one of the most influential figures in pop music history and one of the most successful producers of the 1960s. ...read more.
4 Woody Allen
Heywood "Woody" Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg; November 30, 1935) is an American film director, writer, actor, and comedian whose career spans more than six decades and multiple Academy Award-winning films. He began his career writing material for television in the 1950s, mainly Your Show of Shows (1950–1954) working alongside Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Larry Gelbart, and Neil Simon. He also published several books featuring short stories and wrote humor pieces for The New Yorker. In the early 1960s, he performed as a stand-up comedian in Greenwich Village alongside Lenny Bruce, Elaine May, Mike Nichols, and Joan Rivers. There he developed a monologue style (rather than traditional jokes) ...read more.
Heywood "Woody" Allen (born Allan Stewart Konigsberg; November 30, 1935) is an American film director, writer, actor, and comedian whose career spans more than six decades and multiple Academy Award-winning films. He began his career writing material for television in the 1950s, mainly Your Show of Shows (1950–1954) working alongside Mel Brooks, Carl Reiner, Larry Gelbart, and Neil Simon. He also published several books featuring short stories and wrote humor pieces for The New Yorker. In the early 1960s, he performed as a stand-up comedian in Greenwich Village alongside Lenny Bruce, Elaine May, Mike Nichols, and Joan Rivers. There he developed a monologue style (rather than traditional jokes) ...read more.
5 Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson (Michael Joseph Jackson; August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose on June 25, 2009. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael is also known as The King of Pop (a title given to him by Elizabeth Taylor) or under the initials MJ. Dubbed the King of Pop, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. ...read more.
Michael Jackson (Michael Joseph Jackson; August 29, 1958 – June 25, 2009) was an American singer, dancer, and songwriter. He passed away from cardiac arrest caused by a propofol and benzodiazepine overdose on June 25, 2009. He donated (at least) a remarkable 500,000,000 dollars to charity. Michael is also known as The King of Pop (a title given to him by Elizabeth Taylor) or under the initials MJ. Dubbed the King of Pop, he is regarded as one of the most significant cultural figures of the 20th century. ...read more.
6 Sean Penn
Sean Justin Penn is an American actor, filmmaker, and political activist. He has won two Academy Awards, for his roles in the mystery drama Mystic River and the biopic Milk.
Sean Justin Penn is an American actor, filmmaker, and political activist. He has won two Academy Awards, for his roles in the mystery drama Mystic River and the biopic Milk.
7 Richard Wagner
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is primarily known for his operas.
Wilhelm Richard Wagner was a German composer, theatre director, polemicist, and conductor who is primarily known for his operas.
8 Chris Brown
Christopher Maurice "Chris" Brown (born May 5, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer and actor. Born in Tappahannock, Virginia, he was involved in his church choir and several local talent shows from a young age. He is most well known for his physical assault towards the singer Rihanna in 2009. He is also known for many hit singles, such as "Kiss Kiss", "Run It!", "Forever", "Deuces", "Look At Me Now", "Loyal", "Ayo", and "Back to Sleep".
Christopher Maurice "Chris" Brown (born May 5, 1989) is an American singer, songwriter, dancer and actor. Born in Tappahannock, Virginia, he was involved in his church choir and several local talent shows from a young age. He is most well known for his physical assault towards the singer Rihanna in 2009. He is also known for many hit singles, such as "Kiss Kiss", "Run It!", "Forever", "Deuces", "Look At Me Now", "Loyal", "Ayo", and "Back to Sleep". I would not because his awful personality actually comes through in his music.
9 Joan Crawford
Joan Crawford, born Lucille Fay LeSueur (March 23, c. 1904 – May 10, 1977) was an American film and television actress who began her career as a dancer and stage showgirl. The American Film Institute ranked Crawford 10th on their list of the greatest female stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema .
Joan Crawford, born Lucille Fay LeSueur (March 23, c. 1904 – May 10, 1977) was an American film and television actress who began her career as a dancer and stage showgirl. The American Film Institute ranked Crawford 10th on their list of the greatest female stars of Classic Hollywood Cinema .
10 R. Kelly
Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967), known professionally as R. Kelly, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and convicted sex offender. He has been credited with helping to redefine R&B and hip hop, earning nicknames such as "the King of R&B", "the King of Pop-Soul", and the "Pied Piper of R&B." ...read more.
Robert Sylvester Kelly (born January 8, 1967), known professionally as R. Kelly, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer and convicted sex offender. He has been credited with helping to redefine R&B and hip hop, earning nicknames such as "the King of R&B", "the King of Pop-Soul", and the "Pied Piper of R&B." ...read more.The Contenders
11 Lewis Carroll
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English writer, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon, and photographer.
Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, better known by his pen name Lewis Carroll, was an English writer, mathematician, logician, Anglican deacon, and photographer.
12 Gary Glitter
Gary Glitter is a former glam rock singer and songwriter. He sold over 20 million records and regained media attention in 1999 when child pornography were found on his laptop and committed sex offences with children. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2015.
Gary Glitter is a former glam rock singer and songwriter. He sold over 20 million records and regained media attention in 1999 when child pornography were found on his laptop and committed sex offences with children. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison in 2015.
13 Paul Reubens
Paul Reubens was an American actor, writer, film producer, game show host, and comedian, best known for his character Pee-wee Herman.
Paul Reubens was an American actor, writer, film producer, game show host, and comedian, best known for his character Pee-wee Herman.
14 Jimmy Savile
Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile, commonly known as Jimmy Savile, was an English DJ, television and radio personality, dance hall manager and charity fundraiser. After his death hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse were made against him. There had also been allegations during his lifetime but the accusers were ignored or disbelieved. He took legal action against some accusers.
Sir James Wilson Vincent Savile, commonly known as Jimmy Savile, was an English DJ, television and radio personality, dance hall manager and charity fundraiser. After his death hundreds of allegations of sexual abuse were made against him. There had also been allegations during his lifetime but the accusers were ignored or disbelieved. He took legal action against some accusers.
15 Rolf Harris
Rolf Harris was an Australian entertainer whose career has encompassed work as a musician, singer-songwriter, composer, comedian, actor, painter and television personality.
Harris's career as a popular entertainer ended when he was convicted and imprisoned for sexual offences. In 2014, at the age of 84, he was sentenced to five years, nine months in prison on twelve counts of indecent assault on four teenage female victims during the 1970s and 1980s. He was released from prison in 2017 after serving nearly three years. Following his conviction, he was stripped of many of the honours he had been awarded during his career, including the AO and CBE.
Rolf Harris was an Australian entertainer whose career has encompassed work as a musician, singer-songwriter, composer, comedian, actor, painter and television personality.
Harris's career as a popular entertainer ended when he was convicted and imprisoned for sexual offences. In 2014, at the age of 84, he was sentenced to five years, nine months in prison on twelve counts of indecent assault on four teenage female victims during the 1970s and 1980s. He was released from prison in 2017 after serving nearly three years. Following his conviction, he was stripped of many of the honours he had been awarded during his career, including the AO and CBE.
16 Jerry Lee Lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis (1935 - 2022) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and pianist, often known by his nickname, The Killer. He has been described as "rock and roll's first great wild man." A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis made his first recordings in 1956 at Sun Records in Memphis, with his signature song, "Great Balls on Fire", later being featured in Top Gun.
Jerry Lee Lewis (1935 - 2022) was an American singer-songwriter, musician, and pianist, often known by his nickname, The Killer. He has been described as "rock and roll's first great wild man." A pioneer of rock and roll and rockabilly music, Lewis made his first recordings in 1956 at Sun Records in Memphis, with his signature song, "Great Balls on Fire", later being featured in Top Gun.
17 Jerry Sandusky
Gerald Arthur Sandusky is an American convicted serial rapist, child molester and retired college football coach. 'Sandusky held various coaching positions at Pennsylvania State University (more commonly known as simply Penn State) for THIRTY years, being highly regarded for his consistent ability to lead tough, top-ranking defensive squads (and especially for his proficiency at coaching the linebacker position). Sandusky was also a beloved public figure, and even wrote an autobiography called Touched (yes, Touched) focusing on his charitable efforts. However, his reputation tanked in 2011, when over 30 boys and men (who had met Sandusky through his charitable organization The Second Mile) accused ...read more.
Gerald Arthur Sandusky is an American convicted serial rapist, child molester and retired college football coach. 'Sandusky held various coaching positions at Pennsylvania State University (more commonly known as simply Penn State) for THIRTY years, being highly regarded for his consistent ability to lead tough, top-ranking defensive squads (and especially for his proficiency at coaching the linebacker position). Sandusky was also a beloved public figure, and even wrote an autobiography called Touched (yes, Touched) focusing on his charitable efforts. However, his reputation tanked in 2011, when over 30 boys and men (who had met Sandusky through his charitable organization The Second Mile) accused ...read more.
18 Jimmy Page
James Patrick Page is an English musician, songwriter, and record producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin.
James Patrick Page is an English musician, songwriter, and record producer who achieved international success as the guitarist and founder of the rock band Led Zeppelin.
19 Michael Vick
Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980) is a former American football quarterback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Falcons as the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. During his six years with the Falcons, Vick was regarded as having transformed the quarterback position with his rushing abilities and was named to three Pro Bowls. He holds the record for the most career rushing yards by a quarterback (6,109) and the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (1,039). ...read more.
Michael Dwayne Vick (born June 26, 1980) is a former American football quarterback who played 13 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the Atlanta Falcons and the Philadelphia Eagles. He played college football at Virginia Tech and was selected by the Falcons as the first overall pick in the 2001 NFL Draft. During his six years with the Falcons, Vick was regarded as having transformed the quarterback position with his rushing abilities and was named to three Pro Bowls. He holds the record for the most career rushing yards by a quarterback (6,109) and the most rushing yards by a quarterback in a season (1,039). ...read more.
20 John Lennon
John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (9 October 1940 - 8 December 1980) was an English singer and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as a co-founder of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music. He was assassinated by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980 at age 40. Lennon was characterised by the rebellious nature and acerbic wit in his music, writing and drawings, on film, and in interviews. His songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney remains the most successful in history.
John Winston Ono Lennon, MBE (9 October 1940 - 8 December 1980) was an English singer and songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as a co-founder of the Beatles, the most commercially successful band in the history of popular music. He was assassinated by Mark David Chapman on December 8, 1980 at age 40. Lennon was characterised by the rebellious nature and acerbic wit in his music, writing and drawings, on film, and in interviews. His songwriting partnership with Paul McCartney remains the most successful in history.
21 O.J. Simpson
Orenthal James Simpson (July 9, 1947 - April 10, 2024), nicknamed "The Juice", was an American football running back, broadcaster, actor, advertising spokesman, and convicted felon. Once a popular figure with the U.S. public, he is best known for being tried for the murders of his former wife, Nicole... read more
Orenthal James Simpson (July 9, 1947 - April 10, 2024), nicknamed "The Juice", was an American football running back, broadcaster, actor, advertising spokesman, and convicted felon. Once a popular figure with the U.S. public, he is best known for being tried for the murders of his former wife, Nicole... read more
22 Varg Vikernes
Louis Cachet, (born Kristian Vikernes) more popularly known as Varg Vikernes, is a Norwegian musician, writer, and a convicted murderer and arsonist. He is known as the frontman of the one-man band Burzum (named after a word in the Black Speech, which is a fictional language in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings), which is considered one of the most influential bands in black metal history. He's also known for murdering Mayhem guitarist Euronymous and was sentenced to 21 years in prison in 1994.
Louis Cachet, (born Kristian Vikernes) more popularly known as Varg Vikernes, is a Norwegian musician, writer, and a convicted murderer and arsonist. He is known as the frontman of the one-man band Burzum (named after a word in the Black Speech, which is a fictional language in J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings), which is considered one of the most influential bands in black metal history. He's also known for murdering Mayhem guitarist Euronymous and was sentenced to 21 years in prison in 1994.
23 Sid Vicious
John Beverly, born John Simon Ritchie, later named Sid Vicious, was an English musician, most famous as the bass guitarist of the influential punk rock band the Sex Pistols, and notorious for his arrest for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen.
John Beverly, born John Simon Ritchie, later named Sid Vicious, was an English musician, most famous as the bass guitarist of the influential punk rock band the Sex Pistols, and notorious for his arrest for the alleged murder of his girlfriend, Nancy Spungen.
24 Walt Disney
Walter Elias Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film producer, he holds the record for most Academy Awards earned and nominations by an individual, having won 22 Oscars from 59 nominations. He was presented with two Golden Globe Special Achievement Awards and an Emmy Award, among other honors. Several of his films are included in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Disney was the first person to be nominated for Academy Awards in six different categories, a record he shares with Alfonso Cuaron ...read more.
Walter Elias Disney (December 5, 1901 – December 15, 1966) was an American animator, film producer and entrepreneur. A pioneer of the American animation industry, he introduced several developments in the production of cartoons. As a film producer, he holds the record for most Academy Awards earned and nominations by an individual, having won 22 Oscars from 59 nominations. He was presented with two Golden Globe Special Achievement Awards and an Emmy Award, among other honors. Several of his films are included in the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress. Disney was the first person to be nominated for Academy Awards in six different categories, a record he shares with Alfonso Cuaron ...read more.
25 Lance Armstrong
Lance Edward Armstrong is a former American professional road racing cyclist. At age 16, Armstrong began competing as a triathlete and was a national sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990.
Lance Edward Armstrong is a former American professional road racing cyclist. At age 16, Armstrong began competing as a triathlete and was a national sprint-course triathlon champion in 1989 and 1990.8Load More
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