10 Shocking Celebrity Breakdowns

Though their actions can't be justified, not all celebrity breakdowns stem from pure misbehavior.

Nearly 25 percent of Americans have been diagnosed with mental illness (with around 22 percent suffering from severe mental illness), and an estimated 22 million struggle with substance abuse [source: National Institute of Mental Health; Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration]. Mental illness and substance abuse are not selective—they affect everyone, whether you're male, female, a celebrity, or an ordinary person.

While some celebrity breakdowns stem from inflated egos or quirky behaviors, others may have deeper causes. We've compiled a list of famous breakdowns that may have been linked to mental health issues or struggles with drug and alcohol addiction — let's start with Margot Kidder, the "Superman" actress who faced homelessness before becoming a spokesperson for mental health awareness.

10: Margot Kidder

Margot Kidder is likely best remembered for her portrayal of Lois Lane in the '70s and '80s "Superman" films. Or perhaps more notably, she's remembered for a shocking breakdown that led to her disappearance in Los Angeles in 1996.

In the spring of 1996, Margot was working on a memoir when a computer virus destroyed her work. Just days later, she vanished. She was later found wandering the streets of Los Angeles, suffering from paranoid delusions. When discovered four days later, she was disheveled, missing her front teeth, and had cut off most of her hair. Margot was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, a mental illness characterized by extreme mood swings, from intense mania to deep depression.

Today, Margot advocates for drug-free mental health treatments, including vitamin supplementation, avoiding wheat and dairy, acupuncture, and achieving life balance to manage stress.

9: Billy Joel

Billy Joel's career in the '70s and '80s was incredibly fruitful, with multiple successful albums and a marriage to supermodel Christie Brinkley. However, in 1987, he made headlines during his U.S.S.R. tour not for his music, but for an angry outburst that saw him smashing a microphone stand and an electric piano on stage.

Billy Joel will forever be remembered as the 'Piano Man,' but many might not realize that the iconic song nearly never existed. In 1970, the singer attempted suicide by ingesting furniture polish. Thankfully, the attempt was unsuccessful, and instead of taking his life, he sought treatment for depression. Since then, he has dealt with both depression and alcohol dependency.

8: David Hasselhoff

Alcoholism is a disorder that impacts over 17 million people in the United States, affecting individuals regardless of gender, race, or fame. Alcoholics find themselves unable to control their drinking habits. They crave alcohol, experience withdrawal symptoms without it, and require increasing amounts to feel its effects—this is the essence of addiction.

In 2006, actor David Hasselhoff and his wife, Pamela Bach, began the process of divorce and a custody battle for their two daughters, Taylor-Ann and Hayley. In 2007, a video surfaced online showing David drunk, rambling, and attempting to eat a burger in a hotel room, exposing his private struggles to the public. Following the leak, he apologized and openly discussed his battle with substance abuse and his journey as a recovering alcoholic.

7: Mariah Carey

Mariah Carey possesses a vocal range that extends across more than five octaves, from alto to notes far surpassing soprano. This is quite rare, as most singers are trained to sing within a three-octave range. She was discovered at just 18 years old by Tommy Mottola, the president of Columbia Records at the time, and released her debut album in 1990, which produced four No.1 singles. Mariah was a sensation.

By 2001, Mariah's life was unraveling. She had separated from her first husband, Mottola, and parted ways with Columbia Records. Mariah made an unexpected appearance on MTV's "Total Request Live," where she handed out popsicles from an ice cream cart, wearing only an oversized T-shirt. She called her unorthodox appearance "therapy" and repeatedly told the crowd and host Carson Daly, "You like this."

Whether Mariah's public antics were a deliberate publicity stunt or a symptom of her instability, there's no denying that after her performance on MTV and the cryptic messages posted on her website, she was hospitalized for a "physical and emotional breakdown." After spending two weeks in psychiatric care, she was released from the hospital.

6: Martin Lawrence

The late '90s proved to be a turbulent period for actor Martin Lawrence.

In 1995, Martin was hospitalized after a violent outburst on the set of his directorial debut, "The Thin Line Between Love and Hate." The following year, his "Martin" co-star, Tisha Campbell, accused him of sexual harassment, verbal abuse, and other threats, eventually quitting the show [source: Turner Classic Movies]. In 1996, his wife filed a restraining order against him, accusing him of physical abuse, and they divorced in 1997.

Around this same time, Martin was arrested when attempting to board a plane while carrying a 9mm Beretta. He was involved in physical altercations and was seen screaming at tourists while brandishing a gun on Ventura Boulevard in Los Angeles.

Wassup?

After the incident on Ventura Boulevard, Martin was hospitalized due to exhaustion and dehydration. Some people, including his ex-wife, pointed to his ongoing marijuana and alcohol use (and potentially psychotropic medications) as reasons for his erratic behavior, while others suggested mental health issues like bipolar disorder. Although Martin admitted to smoking marijuana and receiving treatment for depression, he attributed his decision to turn his life around to a three-day coma he suffered from heat exhaustion after jogging in heavy clothing.

5: Courtney Love

Courtney Love. She's intense, immensely talented, and unapologetically vocal. Her life is so unconventional, it's hard to pinpoint a singular meltdown. Where does one begin? Her long-standing public struggles with substance abuse during her marriage to Kurt Cobain? The infamous 1995 interruption of an MTV Video Music Awards interview with Kurt Loder and Madonna? Her bizarre behavior on and off stage? Or perhaps her infamous desire to snort the ashes of her late husband?

Courtney Love has battled with drug addiction, including heroin, cocaine, and prescription drugs. She has faced legal charges related to drugs and has cycled through rehab multiple times. Beyond her personal struggles, she has been a staunch advocate for feminist causes, gun control, and gay rights. No matter what else is said about her, one thing is clear: Courtney Love is a fighter.

4: Britney Spears

When Britney Spears burst onto the music scene in the late 1990s, she embodied the image of a polished pop princess. Fans, both young and old, were captivated by the innocent charm of the Southern girl, and soon Britney became romantically involved with *NSYNC's Justin Timberlake.

By the close of 2002, Britney had released three massively successful albums, starred in the unsuccessful film *Crossroads*, and was reeling from her breakup with Justin Timberlake. What did she do next? She locked lips with Madonna. She married a childhood friend—though it lasted less than 55 hours. Then she began a relationship with Kevin Federline, one of her backup dancers, while his girlfriend was pregnant. Britney and Kevin wed in September 2004. In the following years, they became parents to Sean Preston in September 2005, and Jayden James in September 2006.

Just two months after the birth of her second son, Britney filed for divorce from Kevin Federline. While her parenting was under scrutiny after the birth of her first child, her personal life began to spiral after the arrival of Jayden James. The new mother dove into the club scene, bounced in and out of rehab, shaved her head, and became involved in a series of car accidents, including a hit-and-run. Britney was ordered to take parenting classes and undergo treatment for drug and alcohol addiction. In 2008, she lost custody of her children after being removed from her home and admitted to a psychiatric facility.

While it's uncertain if Britney has additional mental health challenges beyond her struggles with substance abuse—both bipolar disorder and postpartum depression have been mentioned but never confirmed—she has led a more stable life in recent years.

3: Whitney Houston & Bobby Brown

At one time, Whitney Houston was revered for her remarkable five-octave vocal range, her Grammy victories, and her larger-than-life persona. She wed the controversial Bobby Brown in 1992. Describing their marriage as tumultuous would be an understatement—they separated twice but remained together despite his run-ins with the law and their mutual struggles with drugs.

Although Bobby has openly acknowledged his marijuana use and living with bipolar disorder, Whitney kept a more reserved stance about her private life. The couple continued to be in the spotlight with stories of strange behavior, accidents, domestic disputes, and drug charges. But in 2002, Whitney sat down with Diane Sawyer on ABC’s *Primetime* and revealed a few things: She’s been accused of having an eating disorder (she denies it), rumors of her death (she’s still alive), and yes, she enjoys partying. One of the most iconic moments of that interview was when Whitney declared that “crack is whack,” but she claimed she had moved past those days of excessive partying.

2: Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen is the first to admit: He's on a drug called 'Charlie Sheen.'

What does that actually mean? It's anyone's guess, but in 2011, Charlie Sheen kicked off a public frenzy that left many wondering if his erratic behavior was the result of substance abuse, mental illness, or a mixture of both. He has a well-documented history of unpredictable, angry, and violent actions, along with a long-standing battle with drugs. Throughout his ongoing meltdown, he insists he isn't using drugs or alcohol, passing mandatory supervised drug tests. However, he avoids addressing any potential mental health issues, like bipolar disorder, and continues speaking his mind—no matter the consequences.

1: Mel Gibson

Tapes of his verbal abuse toward ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva were made public. He was also pulled over for driving under the influence, where he infamously insulted the female officer with a crude, "sugary" remark. During the same incident, he went on to express his anti-Semitic views to the male officer.

Is Mel Gibson truly a villain, or could his behavior stem from deeper issues? Gibson has openly admitted to a long-standing struggle with alcoholism, and in a 2002 interview, he briefly discussed the emotional highs and lows that led to his diagnosis of bipolar disorder. While mental health issues and addiction don't excuse poor behavior, understanding the cause is essential to addressing it.

Curious to dive deeper into celebrity meltdowns? If so, turn to the next page for more shocking stories and details.