16 Most Disliked Actors In Movie History
Hollywood has always been a place where stars shine bright, but sometimes those stars burn out in the most dramatic ways.
Actors can go from beloved to boycotted faster than you can say “box office bomb.”
No matter if it’s scandalous behavior, controversial statements, or just plain bad choices, these performers have found themselves on the wrong side of public opinion.
Buckle up as we explore the actors who’ve earned the most boos instead of applause!
Disclaimer: This list reflects editorial opinion and public sentiment, not definitive fact or universal consensus about any actor’s talent or overall legacy.
1. Mel Gibson
Back in 2006, a DUI arrest turned into something much bigger when antisemitic remarks made headlines worldwide.
The fallout was immediate and severe, with studios backing away and fans expressing disappointment.
Though he’s attempted comebacks through directing projects like Hacksaw Ridge, the shadow of that night continues to follow him. Public trust, once broken, takes years to rebuild, if it ever fully returns.
2. Kevin Spacey
When multiple sexual misconduct allegations surfaced in 2017, a celebrated career crumbled almost overnight.
Award-winning performances suddenly became uncomfortable to watch as the accusations piled up. House of Cards wrote him out, and completed films were shelved or reshot.
The speed at which Hollywood distanced itself showed how seriously the industry had begun taking such allegations in the #MeToo era.
3. Steven Seagal
Sexual assault allegations have plagued this action star for years, with an LA prosecutor’s review ending without charges only because too much time had passed.
His tough-guy image took a serious hit as more stories emerged.
Beyond legal troubles, bizarre behavior and questionable career choices added to the negative perception. What was once a martial arts empire became a punchline in direct-to-video purgatory.
4. Jared Leto
A 2025 wave of misconduct allegations reported by major entertainment outlets sent shockwaves through social media.
Fans who once defended his method acting approach began questioning whether intensity crossed into inappropriate territory.
Stories about on-set behavior during Suicide Squad resurfaced with new context. The line between artistic dedication and problematic conduct became a hot topic of debate across the internet and beyond.
5. Tom Cruise
That couch-jumping moment on Oprah became legendary for all the wrong reasons, but his high-profile advocacy for Scientology sparked even deeper concern.
Critics question the organization’s practices while fans defend his right to believe what he chooses.
Despite making blockbuster after blockbuster, the polarizing nature of his public persona never quite fades. Some see dedication, others see something more troubling beneath the Hollywood smile.
6. Will Smith
One slap at the 2022 Oscars changed everything. What should have been his crowning achievement – winning Best Actor – became forever linked to that shocking moment on stage.
The Academy’s 10-year event ban sent a clear message that violence wouldn’t be tolerated, even from beloved stars.
Memes flooded the internet, and suddenly America’s favorite Fresh Prince wasn’t so fresh anymore in many people’s eyes.
7. Alec Baldwin
The 2021 Rust shooting incident was a genuine tragedy that sparked intense debate about on-set safety protocols.
Criminal charges followed, though they were ultimately dismissed in 2024, leaving complex questions without simple answers.
Beyond this incident, his history of angry outbursts and confrontations had already made him a controversial figure.
8. Mark Wahlberg
Documented violent incidents from his teenage years keep resurfacing whenever he reaches new career heights.
Racially motivated attacks from decades ago don’t disappear just because time passes or apologies are offered.
Though he’s built a successful acting career and speaks about personal growth, critics argue that true accountability requires more than words.
9. Shia LaBeouf
FKA twigs filed a lawsuit detailing disturbing allegations that eventually reached a settlement reported in 2025. The claims painted a picture far removed from the quirky Disney kid audiences once adored.
Years of erratic behavior and legal troubles had already damaged his reputation before these serious accusations emerged.
What could have been a remarkable transformation from child star to serious actor became a cautionary tale instead.
10. James Franco
Sexual misconduct allegations and a reported 2021 settlement marked a dramatic fall for someone who seemed to do it all – act, direct, teach, and pursue endless creative projects.
Students from his acting school came forward with troubling stories. His attempts to juggle multiple careers suddenly looked different through this new lens.
Hollywood largely distanced itself, and his once-promising directorial ambitions stalled as projects dried up and collaborators stepped back.
11. Ezra Miller
A series of legal issues in 2022 received extensive coverage as incidents piled up at an alarming rate.
From disorderly conduct to more serious allegations, the Flash star seemed to be everywhere for all the wrong reasons.
Warner Bros. faced tough decisions about a major superhero film while its lead made headlines daily. Fans worried whether the movie would even be released as the situation spiraled further out of control.
12. Johnny Depp
Though many fans rallied behind him during the defamation trial, the legal battle revealed deeply troubling details about his personal life.
Text messages and testimony painted a complicated picture that went beyond simple victim and villain narratives.
Career setbacks before the trial included losing major franchise roles. The wider legal and public fallout showed that even winning in court doesn’t guarantee winning back everything that was lost.
13. Robert Pattinson
Twilight casting announcement sparked immediate outrage from book fans who had very specific ideas about Edward Cullen.
The franchise’s love-it-or-hate-it discourse meant he couldn’t escape vampire jokes for years. However, strategic indie film choices gradually rebuilt his reputation as a serious actor.
14. Ben Affleck
Gigli’s spectacular failure became legendary in Hollywood history, and the tabloid storm around his relationship at the time made everything worse.
Critics sharpened their knives while late-night hosts had endless material for jokes. Career recovery took years of strategic choices and proving himself behind the camera as a director.
The Gigli era serves as a reminder that even A-listers can stumble hard before finding their footing again.
15. Armie Hammer
Widely reported allegations led to the immediate collapse of multiple projects as Hollywood slammed the door shut.
Messages that surfaced online were disturbing enough to end what had been a rising career trajectory. From Call Me By Your Name acclaim to complete industry exile happened faster than anyone expected.
The situation demonstrated how quickly everything can unravel when serious allegations emerge, regardless of previous success.
16. Jussie Smollett
The case commonly described as a hate crime hoax shocked the nation as details emerged that contradicted the original story.
What began as an outpouring of support transformed into anger and disbelief when investigations took unexpected turns.
Though the Illinois Supreme Court later overturned his conviction on procedural grounds, the damage to his reputation and career was already complete.
