When we think about celebrities, we usually picture them living in lavish homes, wearing expensive designer clothes, traveling to amazing destinations, and experiencing once-in-a-lifetime opportunities. But if we really look closely, we'll see that we may have more in common with some celebs than we think. In another example of how stars are just like us, not all of them have "made it" in the way we think.
Being a public figure comes with a lot of pressure. Celebrities live their lives in the public eye, with the world always watching to see what car they drive, where they live, what they wear, and how much they can spend. When you add in the many Hollywood temptations, it can easily spell financial ruin.
That's been the case for many of the celebs on this list. Though they've found fame and earned millions as a result, they're not actually as rich today as you might think, due in large part to some bad decisions. From reckless spending and risky business moves to legal troubles and even too much partying, these stars have seen their net worth substantially shrink since the peak of their stardom.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan began acting in the late 1990s and at one point had an impressive fortune of $30 million, thanks to her box office hits including Freaky Friday, Georgia Rule, and Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. But her current net worth is reportedly only $800,000 after she blew through quite a bit of money due to her personal struggles and various legal issues.
Aaron Carter
Aaron Carter's poor financial decisions — like neglecting to pay taxes and seriously overspending — are the cause of his lower net worth. He's made more than $100 million in his music career, so he should have been able to live without working another day. But in 2013, he ended up filing for bankruptcy after accruing debts of more than $3.5 million. Today, his net worth sits at around $400,000, and he no longer enjoys the kind of lifestyle he could have had at this point in his career.
Burt Reynolds
Vanity Fair summarized the financials of the late Burt Reynolds in 2015, publishing a story with the headline, "Burt Reynolds Isn't Broke, But He's Got a Few Regrets." Though his net worth topped $60 million at the peak of his career, his coffers were significantly depleted by lavish spending, a string of bad investments, a long-running legal dispute, and a costly divorce. In 2014, he was even reportedly forced to sell off most of his Hollywood memorabilia to clear his debts. And after his 2018 death, it was revealed that he had been facing foreclosure on his Florida home after failing to make his mortgage payments.
Evander Holyfield
Champion boxers can make some serious money — just look at Evander Holyfield's career. He is an Olympic medalist and holds numerous heavyweight championship titles. It is reported that he has won $230 million in prize money. Unfortunately, bad purchases, extreme spending, IRS issues, and foreclosures have contributed to his dwindling net worth of a mere $1 million.
MC Hammer
At his peak in 1991, MC Hammer was earning upwards of $33 million a year. But his out-of-control spending — he splashed out on a $30 million mansion, flashy cars, a private jet, and even thoroughbred racehorses — led to his downfall. Buried in debt, he was forced to declare bankruptcy in 1996 and sell his home. He's now worth just $2 million. His is a cautionary tale of the importance of being careful with your money and planning for the future.
Dennis Rodman
Dennis Rodman was once a star basketball player, playing with the Chicago Bulls. He raked in more than $27 million during his NBA career, but by 2012 it was reported that he could no longer pay his child and spousal support because he was "broke." While his numerous run-ins with the law certainly cost him dearly, he was also among the athletes scammed by a woman posing as a financial adviser. And he famously gave away millions to homeless people, handing out cash on the streets. These days, his net worth is about $500,000.
Heidi Montag
Lots of celebrities get their start in reality TV, like The Hills star Heidi Montag and her husband, Spencer Pratt. But while some reality stars have been able to keep their names relevant and parlay their fame into more money-making ventures, this couple hasn't exactly been raking it in. Between Heidi's pricey plastic surgery procedures and Spencer's flailing music career, her net worth has dropped to a meager $300,000.
Sinbad
Sinbad is a comedian who earned millions from his stand-up talents, appearing in popular TV shows like The Cosby Show and A Different World. But multiple bankruptcies and steep IRS bills have eaten into his cash reserves. His current net worth is still a healthy $4 million, but that figure should be much higher.
Janice Dickinson
Money does not last forever when a person runs through it like a high-flying supermodel. Janice Dickinson has been in the fashion industry for more than 40 years and earned millions, but surprisingly, she has a net worth of just $500,000 after issues with the IRS, a bankruptcy, and a series of expensive plastic surgeries to try to hold onto her youthful looks.
Randy Quaid
Randy Quaid is famous for his roles in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation and Brokeback Mountain. But unlike his more famous brother Dennis Quaid, who continues to enjoy Hollywood success, Randy fell into financial troubles due to some regrettable decisions and was once even arrested for skipping out on a $10,000 hotel bill. He hasn't worked much in recent years either, and as a result, his net worth has dwindled to -$1 million, so $1 million in debt.
Teresa Giudice
This one may not be surprising, but reality show money doesn't last long after having to pay for high-priced attorneys and spending time in jail, like Teresa Giudice did. The Real Housewives of New Jersey star also has made no secret of the fact that she likes the finer things in life and spends quite liberally — hence her surprisingly low net worth of $500,000.
Natasha Lyonne
Natasha Lyonne was famous long before Orange Is the New Black, thanks to American Pie. But she had some troubled years in between those two roles. She spiraled into drug addiction that took a serious toll on her health — and her bank account. But she managed to turn her life around and these days, she's sober and thriving. And her net worth, currently estimated at $5 million, is on the upswing again.
Amanda Bynes
Amanda Bynes was the poster child for Nickelodeon in the early 2000s. Unfortunately, a public breakdown and a withdrawal from the acting business have negatively impacted her finances. Amanda has a current net worth of $3 million, which doesn't quite reflect the tremendous success she achieved in the 1990s and 2000s, but she is happier and mentally healthier now that she's away from the spotlight — and that's what matters most.
Danny Bonaduce
Danny Bonaduce began his showbiz career as a young boy on the classic TV show The Partridge Family. And like many child actors, he grew up fast and fell into a hard-partying lifestyle that wasn't good for his health or his finances. These days, he has a regular job as a radio DJ. Still, his net worth hasn't fully recovered and is now reportedly $5 million.
Gary Busey
Gary Busey is most recently known for his antics on Celebrity Big Brother, but his career in the entertainment industry spans almost 50 years. He's acted in critically acclaimed roles and even won an Oscar. But he's been plagued by a series of personal problems — including drug use, health woes, and financial challenges — forcing him to file for bankruptcy in 2012. At 77, he's now left with a net worth of just $500,000.
