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10 Celebs with an Insane History of Violence

10 Celebs with an Insane History of Violence
VOICE OVER: Patrick Mealey WRITTEN BY: Jordy McKen
Some celebrities have a shocking past filled with violence that often goes overlooked. We're diving deep into the dark and disturbing histories of famous personalities who've committed serious violent acts but still managed to maintain successful careers. Our countdown explores the violent histories of stars like Sean Penn, Mike Tyson, Gérard Depardieu, and others who have shocking legal records despite their fame and success! Which of these shocked or surprised you? Share in the comments.
Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re looking at infamous celebrities who, in their past, committed terrible violent acts against others but continued to make a success of themselves regardless.

Sean Penn

Today, he’s known for being a multi-Oscar-winning actor and for his political activism. But when Penn’s career was taking off, his troubles with the law began. In 1985, he was fined $100 for attacking two journalists when they tried to photograph him and his then-wife Madonna. After several other incidents, in 1987, he was charged for punching an extra in “Colors.” For this and driving recklessly, Penne was sentenced to 60 days in jail. During this time, he got fan mail from a fellow inmate, the serial killer Richard Ramirez, AKA the Night Stalker. Penn responded with his wish that Ramirez would get capital punishment. The actor’s attacks against photographers continued, resulting in a community service sentence in 2010 or another assault.

Mike Tyson

In 2024, the legendary boxing champion returned to the ring for a bout against Jake Paul, earning himself an estimated $20 million. While all the focus was on Tyson’s undisputed reputation in the sport, his legal history is as dark as it comes. In 1991, he was arrested for assaulting Desiree Washington when she was a contestant in the “Miss Black America” pageant. With the allegations supported by a medical examination and a similar occurrence happening to Tyson’s chauffeur, the boxer was found guilty in 1992. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison, followed by 4 years of probation. In 1995, Tyson was released from jail and continued his boxing career.

Gérard Depardieu

With over 250 roles since making his screen debut in 1967, Depardieu is one of the most prolific and famous French actors of all time. For English speakers, he’s perhaps best known for his work in 1998’s “The Man in the Iron Mask” and the live-action “Astérix and Obélix” franchise. However, in 1991, Depardieu’s image was forever tarnished when Time magazine released a 1978 interview in which the actor admitted to assaulting women. While the actor and his French team denounced the allegations, claiming the magazine mistranslated him, Depardieu’s US publicist stated it was true. In 2020, the actor was charged with assaulting a woman in 2018. By 2023, 13 women had come forward with allegations. Depardieu’s trial is set to begin in 2025.

Vince Neil

Members of heavy metal and rock bands are stereotypically known for partying and run-ins with the law. Yet Neil is a much more serious case. In 1984, the lead singer of Mötley Crüe drove while intoxicated and crashed into another vehicle. Along with serious injuries to some involved, Nicholas Dingley, also known as Razzle, was killed in the crash. Neil, as part of a plea deal, was sentenced to 30 days in jail and 5 years of probation for manslaughter. He also had to pay the victims $2.6 million. Over the years, the singer has had further legal issues, including attacking a sex worker in 2003 and assaulting a woman in 2016, which caused Nicolas Cage to intervene.
Andy Dick

At this point in his career, the actor and comedian is known more for his legal problems than his creative endeavors. After a couple of previous run-ins with the law, in 2008, Dick was arrested for publicly exposing a teenage girl and having illegal substances on him. After pleading guilty to battery, he received 3 years of probation. In 2012, after being charged with assaulting two people, he completed a pre-trial diversion program to escape charges. In 2022, Dick was in court once again for assaulting an Uber driver in 2019. He was found guilty and sentenced to 90 days in jail, alongside having to register as a sex offender. In 2023, Dick was arrested for failing to register.

James Brown

Brown is perhaps the biggest name to grace the worlds of soul and funk music. Yet, while his career was filled with plaudits, his personal life was more complicated. In 1963, he reportedly took out firearms to shoot rival Joe Tex, sparking multiple people getting injured. In 1988, Brown was arrested for attacking his then-wife, Adrienne Rodriguez, with a pipe and shooting at her car. While out on bond, he delivered an infamous interview with CNN, which didn’t help matters. Shortly after, he was arrested on weapon and substance charges after a high-speed chase with cops. Brown was sentenced to 6 years in jail. Other criminal issues he’s been involved with include several domestic violence incidents and assault.

Conor McGregor

At one point, there wasn’t a bigger name in MMA than the Irishman’s. However, as McGregor’s fame rose, so did the criminal acts he was involved with. In 2018, McGregor and his entourage attacked a bus holding Khabib Nurmagomedov and others, leaving some with injuries. The Irishman pleaded no contest and had to complete community service and anger management classes. In 2019, after a man refused to drink with McGregor in a pub, the Irishman punched him. He pled guilty and was fined €1,000. In 2024, McGregor lost a civil sexual assault suit to Nikita Hand. The fighter was found guilty and was ordered to pay around €1.75 million to Hand.

Suge Knight

After a failed NFL career, Knight pivoted and became an influential record executive for rap in the ‘90s. Yet he also has committed several violent acts. In 1996, Knight was involved in an attack on a Crips member. Due to violating parole from a previous conviction of assault, Knight was sentenced to 9 years, but was released in 2001. In 2003, after attacking a parking attendant, he was sent back inside for another parole violation. For the next 11 years, Knight mostly kept away from violence, except for being the victim occasionally. But in 2015, after an argument on the “Straight Outta Compton” set, he crashed his car, killing 1 man. In 2018, Knight pleaded no contest to voluntary manslaughter, earning 28 years in jail.

Ike Turner

After achieving some initial success on his own, Ike formed the Ike & Tina Turner Revue, marrying Tina in the meanwhile. Yet according to Turner, he was a monster throughout their marriage. Fuelled by substance use issues, Ike was frequently physically abusive towards her. In 1976, he attacked Tina in a limousine. This sparked the music icon to leave Ike and file for divorce. He admitted in his autobiography that he struck Tina and punched her to the ground. Ike also tried to work with her again, but she rejected the idea. After Tina, Ike continued having run-ins with the law, mostly substance-related, such as when he was sent to prison for 4 years for a DUI in 1990.

Mark Wahlberg

Moving from Marky Mark and the Funky Bunch into a successful career as an actor with many awards and nominations, Wahlberg seems like a problem-free person. Yet in his youth, he was a terror. In 1986, Wahlberg was issued with a civil rights injunction after harassing, attacking, and yelling racial slurs at a group of Black children. In 1988, Wahlberg targeted two Vietnamese-Americans. After knocking one unconscious, Wahlberg punched Johnny Trinh’s eye, believing he had blinded the army veteran. When Wahlberg was arrested, he continued uttering racial slurs about his victims and Vietnam. The actor was sentenced to 3 months in jail. In 1992, Wahlberg was issued a lawsuit for attacking his neighbor, which was settled out of court.


Which celebrity’s dark criminal history surprised you the most? Someone in our list? Danny Trejo? Matthew Broderick? Or someone else? Let us know below.
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