Top 10 Male Heartthrobs Who Became Bad Boys

#10: Mickey Rourke

Although he initially planned to become a professional boxer, Mickey Rourke put those ambitions on hold in the early 70s to pursue acting instead. His career took off in the 1980s, with roles in films like Diner and 9½ Weeks earning him widespread attention. Before long, Rourke became known as a heartthrob and sex symbol, particularly for his rugged good looks and charming smile. In the 90s, however, Rourke returned to his first love: boxing. This decision not only stalled his rise in Hollywood, it also altered his physical appearance significantly. By the time he returned to Hollywood, his once-boyish charm had been replaced by a rougher, more unpredictable persona. He ultimately leaned into this transformation, taking on gritty roles in films like Sin City and The Wrestler.

#9: Nick Jonas

Nick Jonas began his career as the youngest member of the Jonas Brothers, a Disney-backed pop trio formed with his two older siblings. The group quickly became teen idols and they decided to project a wholesome image, symbolized by their choice to wear purity rings. However, when the band split in 2013, Jonas set out to redefine himself as a solo artist. His 2014 self-titled album was influenced by moody R&B music and featured provocative lyrics; a completely new territory for Jonas. He leaned into this edgy persona with shirtless photo shoots and steamy music videos for songs like Chains and Jealous. Disneys golden boy was long gone; in his place was a more confident artist appealing to a grown-up audience.

#8: Zac Efron

For anyone who grew up during the golden age of Disney Channel, the High School Musical films were impossible to miss. The franchise catapulted Zac Efron to stardom. As Troy Bolton, Efron won over young audiences with his bleach-blond locks and magnetic smile. But like all good things, the series eventually came to an end. Afterward, Efron made a conscious effort to distance himself from his Disney persona. He pivoted toward adult roles in films like Neighbors and Baywatch. These roles introduced a more risqué version of Efron, often portraying him as the charming bad boy. Then, he took things further with even darker performances, taking on serial killer Ted Bundy in Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile.

#7: Penn Badgley

Who wouldve thought that the actor behind Dan Humphrey could also have brought Joe Goldberg to life so convincingly? On Gossip Girl, Penn Badgley played Dan, the likable bookish outsider whose charm made him a fan favorite and solidified Badgleys image as the quintessential nice guy. But that all changed with You, where Badgley stepped into the chilling role of Joe, a dangerously obsessive romantic who blurs the line between love and violence. While Joe shares Dans intellect and introspective nature, he is far darker and more disturbed. With the Netflix series, Badgley reinvented himself, shedding off his teen heartthrob image to become a compelling antihero audiences couldnt stop watching, even when they knew they should.

#6: Shia LaBeouf

From his days on Disney Channels Even Stevens to his teenage role in the Transformers franchise, Shia LaBeouf had a pretty wholesome start to his career. He went from lovable child star to teen heartthrob, and seemed poised for a smooth transition into Hollywood leading man territory. But as his star rose, so did his personal troubles. With a string of controversies, ranging from public intoxication and bar fights to plagiarism scandals and bizarre performance art, LaBeoufs behavior became increasingly unpredictable. As a result, his public image was quickly reshaped; he went from being seen as a promising star to a Hollywood rebel brimming with raw talent, but seemingly unable to stay on course.

#5: Johnny Depp

It was the 80s police procedural 21 Jump Street that shot actor Johnny Depp to stardom. The show was a massive success, especially among younger audiences, and made Depp an instant teen idol. But Depp was never comfortable with that image and as soon as his time on the show came to an end, he did everything in his power to distance himself from it. He began cultivating a rebellious image with chain smoking, recreational drug use and frequent brushes with the law. Even on screen, he deliberately moved away from heartthrob roles, opting instead for darker, offbeat characters, beginning with 1990s Edward Scissorhands. Over the years, Depps affinity for controversy deepened, culminating in an infamous legal battle with his ex-wife, Amber Heard.

#4: Justin Timberlake

This American triple threat first made waves as a curly-haired member of the wildly popular boy band *NSYNC, and became a heartthrob for millions of teenage fans. That image was only amplified by his high-profile relationship with Britney Spears, making them a prominent power couple in the early 2000s. When *NSYNC went on hiatus in 2002, Timberlake launched his solo career, aiming for a mature and sultry R&B-driven sound. His debut album Justified delivered exactly that. Around the same time, his breakup with Spears made headlines, and he appeared to reference that in the hit single Cry Me a River. Timberlakes subsequent music doubled down on this transformation, as he famously declared in his 2006 chart-topper that he was bringing sexy back.

#3: Rob Lowe

Chiseled looks and an effortless charm were all it took for Rob Lowe to become a teen heartthrob in the early 1980s. It also helped that he starred in a string of coming-of-age films that earned him a spot in the iconic Brat Pack. For most of that decade, he maintained a clean-cut image, until 1988 when a sex tape involving a minor surfaced, triggering a public scandal that nearly ended his career. That controversy, along with reports of partying and substance use, painted him as Hollywoods bad boy. But Lowe managed to turn things around. He entered rehab, quit drinking and has remained sober ever since. By the 2000s, he had completely rebranded himself, largely thanks to his role in The West Wing.

#2: Brad Pitt

Brad Pitts breakout role was in 1991s Thelma & Louise, where he played a cowboy hitchhiker who shares a brief sexual encounter with one of the titular characters. The small role turned him into an overnight sex symbol. Subsequently, Pitt built on that image with leading roles in dramatic films, but he was never content with being just a pretty face. By the mid 1990s, he began gravitating towards darker roles in films like Seven and Fight Club. Offscreen, he cemented his bad boy status with his marriage and messy split from Jennifer Aniston, and subsequent relationship with Angelina Jolie. Add to that a reputation for being rebellious and free-spirited, and you have one of the edgiest leading men in Hollywood.

#1: Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber was only 13 when a talent manager discovered him on YouTube. His rise was meteoric. By the time he released Baby, the lead single from his debut album, he had already become a global sensation. Back then, he was a fresh-faced teen adored by his massive fanbase, the Beliebers. But as he grew older, the pressures of fame began to take its toll. In his late teens and early 20s, Bieber shed his charming persona, trading it for a more rebellious image. From run-ins with the law to public outbursts, Biebers rather rapid transformation shocked many fans. Since then, however, he has channeled those challenges into personal and artistic growth. He became more open about his faith and mental health, using his music to explore deeper themes.

Did we miss any other good boys turned bad? Shout them out in the comments below.