Sex tapes are a great way to get attention and even cash in. Pamela Anderson and Kim Kardashian have proved that the media circus can actually help their career and image. However, not everyone involved in celebrity sex scandals was as lucky.
Check out some of the biggest sex scandals in Hollywood, some related to sex tapes, some based on incidents that are apparently harmless, but still ended up destroying careers.
Kristen Stewart’s Affair
After her affair with Rupert Sanders, the married director of “Snow White and the Huntsman”, Kristen Stewart faced major backlash, especially from “Twilight” fans. While she did move on from the incident and continued her relationship with Robert Pattinson for a while, the affair is clearly a touchy subject for the actress. She recently threatened to sue comedienne Joan Rivers for a statement made in her latest comedy book “Diary of a Mad Diva” which read: “Many stars only do one thing well. Of course, the best one-trick-pony is Kristen Stewart, who got a whole career by being able to juggle a director’s balls.”
Tiger Woods’ Many Infidelities
In one of the biggest celebrity sex scandals of all time, over a dozen women claimed they had sex with pro golfer Tiger Woods once the first news of his infidelity surfaced. His marriage with Swedish model Elin Nordegren didn’t last long after the incidents, and Woods’ career was affected as well, with many endorsement deals being pulled.
Rebecca Gayheart, Eric Dane and Kari Ann Peniche’s Sexless Sex Tape
Former Miss Teen USA Kari Ann Peniche was involved in a huge scandal alongside Eric Dane (“Grey’s Anatomy”) and Rebecca Gayheart. While there was no actual sex in the sex tape, it was clearly implied that Kari Ann Peniche had joined the two married actors for a threesome. Their marriage survived the scandal.
Hugh Grant’s Solicitation Scandal
The British actor was involved in one of the most infamous celebrity sex scandals right as he was about to promote his first big Hollywood movie. He was arrested in 1995 for lewd conduct in a public place, after police discovered him engaging in oral sex with a prostitute in his car. His longtime partner Elizabeth Hurley forgave him and the two were together for 5 more years.
Eddie Murphy’s Car Ride
Claiming to this day that he was a “good Samaritan” for offering a ride to a transsexual prostitute, Eddie Murphy was still involved in one of the biggest sex scandals in Hollywood. Even though the police later explained that no illegal activity had occurred, the sex worker had an outstanding warrant for prostitution.
LeAnn Rimes, Eddie Cibrian, and Brandi Glanville’s Love Triangle
One of the more recent celebrity sex scandals involved married actor Eddie Cibrian and singer LeAnn Rimes. After they fell in love on the set of a Lifetime movie, they each divorced their spouse.
See also: Kim Kardashian In Cheating Scandal
Brandi Glanville, Cibrian’s ex-wife and star of “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills”, also discovered that the actor had more than one mistress before falling in love with Rimes.
Paul Reubens’ Indecent Exposure
In 1991, Paul Reubens was probably the biggest name in children’s entertainment as Pee-wee Herman. His career in the field ended abruptly when he was arrested for masturbating in a Florida adult theater. In 2020, actor Fred Willard was also caught in a similar scandal.
Rob Lowe’s Sex Tape
One of the biggest celebrity sex scandals revolved around the first mainstream sex tape to hit Hollywood.
Read more: Shortest Celebrity Marriages
In 1989, actor Rob Lowe filmed himself while having sex with two girls, one of them only 16. While he managed to salvage his career on TV, he lost his chance to be a Hollywood A-lister.
Sandra Bullock and Jesse James’ Divorce
After a 5 year marriage, Sandra Bullock filed for divorce and ended up as the sole parent of a child she was adopting with husband Jesse James. He had cheated on her with multiple women, including erotic dancer Michelle McGee.
Jude Law’s Nanny Affair
Jude Law cheated on his fiancée Sienna Miller with his children’s nanny, which led to one of the biggest celebrity sex scandals. Law found out years later that his phone had been hacked by British tabloid “News of the World”, which may have led to the affair becoming public.
