Buzz
Many might describe it as the slap that reverberated globally, though quick-acting production technicians muted the moment when Will Smith struck Chris Rock at the 94th Academy Awards (just six months ago). There’s no need to revisit the incident or reignite the debates that dominated headlines and social media for weeks afterward. However, a pressing question remains: After Smith’s 10-year ban from Oscars events, will audiences embrace his return to the big screen? The first major clue arrives with the newly released trailer for Antoine Fuqua’s Emancipation.
Originally delayed due to the Oscars incident, the film is now set for a December release, positioning it for next year’s awards season. Typically, a historical drama with strong buzz, helmed by a renowned director and starring an actor of Smith’s stature, would be a shoo-in for Oscar contention. But under these circumstances, the outcome remains uncertain.
Here are 10 other infamous scandals—and the remarkable comebacks that followed.
Paul Reubens and Batman Returns (1992)
The Scandal: Engaging in behavior deemed inappropriate for a children’s show host.
In July 1991, police conducting a routine inspection of an adult movie theater in Sarasota, Fla. (where, presumably, no other crimes were occurring) caught TV’s beloved Pee-Wee Herman in a compromising position. The arrest made headlines, and despite Reubens having ended Pee-Wee’s Playhouse just before the incident, a syndication deal was canceled, and he was removed from several projects.
It wasn’t until his acclaimed role in 2001's Blow that the stigma began to fade, but Reubens received support from famous friends throughout the ‘90s and made numerous smaller appearances. One of the earliest was in Tim Burton’s Batman Returns, where he played Tucker Cobblepot, The Penguin’s father, in the opening flashback. Though his comeback was gradual, this role in a major blockbuster signaled that Reubens wasn’t finished.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Katherine Hepburn and The Philadelphia Story (1940)
The Scandal: Labeled “Box Office Poison” with undertones of lesbianism.
Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t Hepburn herself who was called “box office poison,” but rather her films, along with those of several other major stars (mostly women). Theater owners, who placed the infamous ad, had a valid point from a business perspective. Studios were investing heavily in stars who no longer drew audiences as they once had, and Hepburn was a prime example. Her early ‘30s success, marked by a bold, androgynous persona, had resonated during a time when actresses like Hepburn, Garbo, and Dietrich could defy gender norms without public backlash. However, by the late ‘30s, societal attitudes had shifted, and her perceived queerness alienated audiences, especially under the constraints of the newly enforced production code.
While some stars left the industry, Hepburn refused to give up. After a series of box office failures, she acquired the rights to the stage play The Philadelphia Story, which was written specifically for her. She starred in its successful tour and later secured film financing through Howard Hughes, negotiating significant creative control. The film softened her image while retaining her trademark wit and strength, resulting in a record-breaking hit and revitalizing her career.
Where to stream: HBO Max
Laura Dern and October Sky (1999)
The Scandal: Portraying a gay character.
While LGBTQ+ progress has been uneven, it’s hard to overstate the cultural shockwaves caused by Ellen DeGeneres and her character Ellen Morgan coming out as gay in the 1997 “Puppy Episode” of her sitcom, Ellen. At the time, there was no precedent for such representation in primetime network television, particularly in the traditionally safe and conservative sitcom format. Laura Dern’s decision to play Ellen’s gay mentor and love interest was both a bold career move and a significant risk. The backlash was severe: Dern faced a dry spell in roles for a year or two and even received death threats.
Though the controversy was intense, it subsided relatively quickly. Dern made her comeback with the critically acclaimed TV film The Baby Dance, followed by her role in October Sky. While the latter was only a modest box office success, it marked the beginning of a career resurgence that has continued to this day.
Where to stream: Starz
Ingrid Bergman and Anastasia (1956)
The Scandal: A widely publicized romance.
Ingrid Bergman’s affair with director Roberto Rossellini during the filming of Stromboli in 1950 caused a major scandal, derailing the movie and alienating her from American audiences. However, the Swedish actress continued to work in Europe, securing roles in Italian, German, and French films to sustain her career. After marrying Rossellini, Bergman eventually returned to the U.S., where audiences welcomed her back. Her performance in Anastasia was a commercial success and earned her a second Academy Award.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Mickey Rourke in The Wrestler (2008)
The Scandal: Substance abuse and a penchant for brawling.
Mickey Rourke rose to fame in the 1980s with roles in steamy films like Body Heat and earned critical acclaim in movies such as Diner and Rumble Fish. However, his career was marred by erratic behavior, heavy drinking, and a tendency to get into fights, both on and off set. As his finances dwindled, he took on increasingly poor roles, damaging his reputation. Rourke eventually left acting to pursue boxing, which further altered his appearance and seemed to end his Hollywood prospects. Despite this, he secured minor but notable roles before making a triumphant return in 2008's The Wrestler, which earned him an Oscar nomination and reignited his career.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Elizabeth Taylor and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof (1958)
The Scandal: The affair that shattered America’s golden couple.
Elizabeth Taylor’s affair with Eddie Fisher, who was married to Debbie Reynolds at the time, became one of Hollywood’s most infamous scandals. Reynolds and Fisher had been celebrated as the ideal ‘50s couple, but Taylor’s involvement with Fisher during the production of Cat on a Hot Tin Roof turned her into a controversial figure. Taylor, who had recently lost her husband Mike Todd in a plane crash, was initially seen as a grieving widow, but the affair transformed her public image into that of a homewrecker. The studio capitalized on the scandal, using provocative promotional images of Taylor to market the film. Despite the controversy, the movie was a critical and commercial success, solidifying Taylor’s status as a Hollywood icon and proving her resilience in the face of scandal.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Robert Downey Jr. and Iron Man (2008)
The Scandal: Substance abuse and incarceration.
Once a prominent member of the Brat Pack and a leading star of the 1980s, Robert Downey Jr.’s career took a nosedive in the 1990s due to his struggles with addiction, which led to numerous legal issues and constant media attention. Despite sporadic work between rehab stints, jail time, and a prison sentence, he became increasingly seen as a liability in Hollywood, with filmmakers hesitant to cast him due to his unreliability.
By 2000, his career seemed to be on the mend after a series of guest appearances on Ally McBeal earned him an Emmy nomination. However, another arrest led to his dismissal from the show. Over the next few years, Downey made significant progress in his recovery, taking on minor roles in major films and leading roles in smaller projects. His casting in Iron Man was partly due to his troubled past, which was believed to add depth to the character. The film launched a blockbuster franchise and firmly reestablished Downey as one of Hollywood’s top stars.
Where to stream: Disney+
Lana Turner and Imitation of Life (1959)
The Scandal: A mobster boyfriend and a fatal stabbing.
By the late 1950s, Lana Turner was already a Hollywood icon, known for her acclaimed performances and her popularity as a WWII-era pin-up. However, her career faced a downturn in the mid-1950s, followed by a brief resurgence. In 1958, Turner became involved with Johnny Stompanato, a mobster and enforcer for the Cohen crime family. Their relationship was marked by abuse, stalking, and violent confrontations. On April 4, 1958, Stompanato confronted Turner and her daughter at their home. When Turner attempted to end the relationship, he became violent, leading her 14-year-old daughter Cheryl to stab him, resulting in his death.
The trial exposed the grim details of Turner’s relationship, and public perception of her was further complicated by her previous femme fatale roles. Her film Another Time, Another Place, released during this period, flopped. However, her role as Lora Meredith in Douglas Sirk’s Imitation of Life proved to be a turning point. The film was a massive success, and Turner’s decision to take a percentage of the box office earnings paid off handsomely.
Where to stream: Digital rental
Arnold Schwarzenegger and The Expendables (2010)
The Scandal: A series of harassment claims and a secret affair.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s tenure as California’s governor concluded, with term limits preventing further service (even if his approval ratings hadn’t plummeted below 25%). Born in Austria, he was barred from running for president, effectively halting his political ambitions. Throughout his campaign and governorship, Schwarzenegger faced numerous credible allegations of sexual misconduct, responding with a mix of apologies and denials. As his term wound down, it was revealed that he had fathered a child with a household employee, a secret kept from his then-wife, Maria Shriver.
While voters were disillusioned, movie audiences quickly moved on. Schwarzenegger made a cameo in The Expendables while still in office and took on a larger role in the sequel after his term ended. Though he hasn’t starred in major hits outside of the Expendables series, he has remained active in the film industry.
Where to stream: Fubo, Epix, Freevee
Joan Bennett and House of Dark Shadows (1970)
The Scandal: A love affair that culminated in a gunshot wound.
Joan Bennett enjoyed a remarkably diverse career that started in the silent film era. As part of a family of actors, she became a prominent early Hollywood star alongside her sister, Constance. Shedding her youthful roles, she adopted a darker appearance and persona, becoming a leading figure in film noir and a dependable femme fatale, especially in Fritz Lang’s works. As she reached her forties—an age when many of her contemporaries faded from Hollywood—she transitioned into maternal roles, such as in the Father of the Bride series. Despite enduring criticism from gossip columnists for her progressive views, her career nearly collapsed due to a 1951 affair that almost turned deadly.
Married to troubled producer Walter Wanger, Bennett began a relationship with her agent, Jennings Lang. Upon discovering the affair, Wanger shot Lang in a parking lot, aiming for the groin. While Wanger eventually revived his career, Bennett never regained her former level of stardom. She shifted to television, playing Elizabeth Collins-Stoddard in the soap opera Dark Shadows, a role that remains her most recognized today. The film adaptation of the series marked her comeback, leading to her final, memorable performance in Dario Argento’s Suspiria.
Where to stream: Digital rental
