10 TV Stars Everyone Lost Respect For

10 TV Stars Everyone Lost Respect For

Welcome to WatchMojo, and today, we’re looking at once-prominent TV stars whose reputations came crashing down.

Chris Noth

He charmed his way into millions of hearts as Mr. Big on “Sex and the City.” And with major roles on “Law & Order” and “The Good Wife,” Chris Noth remained a staple on television for over twenty years. But soon after the premiere of “And Just Like That…,” Noth found himself in hot water, accused of sexual misconduct by multiple women. It didn’t help when his “SATC” co-stars released a statement supporting Noth’s accusers, shifting public opinion against him. The fallout was swift and severe, as Noth was erased from both “And Just Like That…” and CBS’s “The Equalizer.” While Noth denies the allegations, he was absent from the screen for years until returning with the horror film “The Block.”

Michael Richards

Cosmo Kramer may be one of the funniest characters to have ever existed, but there was nothing funny about Michael Richards’s meltdown at the Laugh Factory. Unable to handle hecklers in the audience, Richards unleashed a shockingly racist tirade. The actor’s career practically collapsed overnight, facing backlash from the public and the press. A poorly received apology on “David Letterman” came across more awkwardly humorous than sincere, becoming endlessly replayed and ridiculed. While Richards was able to salvage some of his reputation thanks to support from long-time friend Jerry Seinfeld, his career has never fully recovered. Today, fans tend to have fond memories of Kramer, but many would rather forget Richards himself.

Lea Michele

Considering the accusations against her, Lea Michele seems almost indistinguishable from Rachel Berry. Like her “Glee” role, Michele was described by some as having a mean girl, prima donna attitude. In 2020, co-star Samantha Marie Ware alleged that Michele caused “traumatic microaggressions” on set, opening up the floodgates for other former castmates to make similar claims. Despite acknowledging her attitude problem and apologizing for her “immaturity” and “unnecessarily difficult” behavior, the damage was done. The internet was quick to turn on the actress, making her the subject of some truly bizarre conspiracy theories that continue to overshadow her career. Much like Rachel Berry, Michele has cemented her place in pop culture – at the expense of reportedly strained relationships with castmates and a tarnished image.

Jussie Smollett

With an acclaimed role on “Empire” and a promising music career, the sky was the limit for Jussie Smollett. In January 2019, Smollett made headlines as the victim of a hate crime, sending shockwaves through the industry. Soon after, though, investigations alleged that Smollett had staged the entire incident himself. In 2021, a Chicago jury found him guilty of felony disorderly conduct, though Smollett appealed the verdict. In 2024, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned the convictions on constitutional grounds, with Smollett reaching a settlement the following year. Despite these developments, public backlash has yet to recover. Ever since the scandal, Smollett has only appeared in self-produced projects, with mainstream relevance so far still out of reach.

Ellen DeGeneres

By the late 2010s, Ellen was arguably the most untouchable figure in Hollywood. Her “Be Kind” mantra was seen as the ultimate mark of goodness, making her one of the most popular celebrities worldwide. But allegations of a toxic workplace on her talk show derailed her image. Once praised as the embodiment of kindness, DeGeneres is now mainly branded by critics as “mean.” Amid dwindling public support and declining ratings, she decided to end her talk show in 2022. A subsequent return to stand-up drew a mixed response, with some critics blasting her for making excuses instead of accepting responsibility. The comedian has since stepped away from the spotlight, and only time will tell if the public is ever willing to welcome her back.

Dean Cain

With a series of controversial raids that sparked nationwide protests, public opinion of the United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement has been divisive in recent times. And when former “Superman” star Dean Cain openly threw his support behind ICE, it unleashed a largely negative response. Cain went further by accepting an honorary role in the agency. His decision has ignited a hostile outcry, with celebrities like Margaret Cho and John Leguizamo blasting Cain for his tone-deaf stance. However, Cain has refused to back down, supporting ICE on social media and national television. Amid widespread outrage, Cain’s detractors have accused him of betraying the ideals of compassion and justice that Superman is supposed to embody.

Roseanne Barr

Lauded for its authentic portrayal of a working-class family, the “Roseanne” revival was initially a success. However, Barr soon caused the downfall of her own show. In May 2018, Barr tweeted offensive remarks against former Obama adviser Valerie Jarrett, widely condemned as racist and Islamophobic. Any chance of regaining her reputation faded with her subsequent apology, which many interpreted as Barr doubling down on her comments. ABC was quick to cancel “Roseanne” soon after, reviving the show as the spin-off “The Conners,” which killed off her character. Barr has mainly stayed outside of mainstream media since then. And with her unapologetic stance and controversial image, it’s unlikely to change anytime soon.

Charlie Sheen

Back in 2011, watching a Charlie Sheen rant was its own form of entertainment. After being fired from “Two and a Half Men,” Sheen went on an extended meltdown that turned into a media circus. Happily feeding tabloids with over-the-top tirades, Sheen made outrageous claims like believing he had “Adonis DNA” and “tiger blood.” “Winning” became his signature catchphrase, using it to justify his wild behavior to portray himself as uniquely “different.” Highly publicized liaisons with adult film stars, feuds with co-stars, and remarks criticized as glamorizing substance abuse disorder further cemented his downfall. It took years – and an HIV diagnosis – before Sheen mellowed down, but his outlandish antics remain etched into the darkest chapters of pop culture history.

Danny Masterson

Springboarding to fame as Hyde on “That ‘70s Show,” Danny Masterson is now remembered less for his career and more for the convictions that destroyed it. In 2017, multiple women came forward with allegations of sexual misconduct, which Masterson denied. However, he was swiftly fired from Netflix’s “The Ranch” before being let go from his talent agency. By 2020, Masterson faced criminal charges and was ultimately convicted to 30 years to life in 2023. Once the most popular character in “That ‘70s Show,” Hyde is now viewed through a far different lens. Even Masterson’s co-stars, Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher, didn’t walk away unscathed, with the pair slammed for writing letters of support on Masterson’s behalf during his trial.

Bill Cosby

For more than four decades, Bill Cosby was celebrated as “America’s Dad.” “The Cosby Show” was a timeless sensation, breaking barriers in representation and highlighting positive family dynamics. All that came crashing down in 2014 when comedian Hannibal Buress called Cosby out for past allegations. Once media scrutiny caught on, over 60 women came forward accusing Cosby of sexual misconduct. His personal brand collapsed under years of investigations, leaving decades of goodwill in ruins. Speaking to the NNPA, Cosby maintained his innocence, claiming his entire trial was a “setup,” and describing the jurors as “impostors.” Although his 2018 conviction was overturned on a procedural technicality in 2021, Cosby’s name is permanently damaged, now often mentioned alongside other similarly disgraced Hollywood figures.

Is there a fallen TV star you can think of? Let us know in the comments.