Fame can vanish just as suddenly as it arrives, especially in Hollywood. No matter how beloved or critically acclaimed an actor might be, one scandal or allegation can bring everything crashing down. As “Cancel Culture” becomes more common, we find more and more stars exiled from the industry virtually overnight. Here are 10 amazing actors who had their careers cut short (canceled) by controversies.
10. Michael Richards
Michael Richards says he “went into character” when he shouted racial slurs at a Black audience member during a 2006 Laugh Factory show. “I canceled myself,” he told The View. The former Seinfeld star’s career never recovered.
9. Sean “Diddy” Combs
Sean “Diddy” Combs isn’t just the guy behind I’ll Be Missing You. He’s the guy who held his own in films like Monster’s Ball, nailed A Raisin in the Sun, and popped up in TV shows like Hawaii Five-0, CSI: Miami, and Black-ish. Four women accused Combs of sexual assault and drugging. On July 2, 2025, the verdict dropped: acquitted of sex trafficking and RICO charges, but convicted on two counts of transporting for prostitution.
8. Bill Cosby
“America’s Dad” had a messy divorce with fame. His entire legacy unraveled as dozens of women came forward with disturbing accusations spanning decades of sexual misconduct. Despite being released on technical grounds in 2021, his career and reputation were already shattered.
7. Danny Masterson
More than just canceled, Masterson now serves a 30-years-to-life prison sentence for aggravated sexual assault against two women. The charges are even more chilling considering the actor’s comedic background and his ties to Scientology.
6. James Franco
Once a comedy landmark, Franco has faced several allegations of sexual misconduct and inappropriate behavior with students that have severely stunted his career. Even his closest colleague, Seth Rogen, has cut ties with him following the accusations.
5. Mel Gibson
Ostracized for his racist and antisemitic remarks, Gibson has always been a controversial figure in Hollywood. He has made a quiet and selective comeback in recent years, and he now focuses on the production of his next film, The Resurrection of the Christ.
4. Armie Hammer
Not only was Hammer accused of sexual assault, but he was also linked to a bizarre string of leaked messages involving violent and cannibalistic fantasies. The saga eventually inspired House of Hammer, a docuseries about the darker side of the actor’s family legacy.
3. Kevin Spacey
Two-time Oscar winner and a veritable Hollywood icon, Spacey’s career collapsed in 2017, following multiple accusations of sexual misconduct. His fall also severely impacted the production of House of Cards, a series that never recovered its momentum without Frank Underwood. He’s definitely one of the best “canceled” actors. He was acquitted of charges in the UK in 2023, but his career hasn’t recovered.
2. Johnny Depp
Despite Depp’s courtroom victories, the feud between him and his second ex-wife, Amber Heard, damaged his relationship with the entertainment industry. Fans might still rally behind Depp, but studios like Warner Bros. and Disney distanced themselves from the actor. Although he’s not fully “canceled” anymore, he rarely appears in films these days.
1. Jonathan Majors
Major’s fall from grace was disastrous, with the promising actor losing his lead villain role in the MCU after his conviction for domestic assault in 2023. His firing forced Marvel to rethink Kang’s future in the MCU, shaking up the entire genre in the process.
