Celebs Who Stood by Friends Accused of Serious Crimes

In Hollywood, it’s common for personal friendships to clash with what’s best for someone’s career, particularly when someone is accused of a serious crime. Some celebrities avoid controversy to protect themselves, while others stand by their friends and colleagues, even when it means facing public criticism. These displays of loyalty often spark debate about what’s right and wrong. Here’s a look at twenty celebrities who supported their peers through difficult legal and ethical challenges.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin has consistently defended director Woody Allen despite accusations of sexual abuse. Having worked with Allen on films like ‘To Rome with Love,’ Baldwin considers him both a friend and a source of professional inspiration. He’s spoken out against other actors who’ve avoided Allen, believing the criticism against the director is unfair. Baldwin has repeatedly stated his support stems from his own positive interactions with Allen and the findings of past investigations.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher wrote a letter to the court in support of Danny Masterson during his rape trial. In the letter, Kutcher emphasized Masterson’s efforts to help their ‘That ’70s Show’ colleagues avoid drug use, describing him as a trustworthy and important friend he’s known since 1998. After the letter became public following Masterson’s conviction, Kutcher received considerable criticism.

Ben Affleck

When Casey Affleck faced accusations of sexual harassment during the making of his film ‘I’m Still Here,’ his brother Ben stood by him. Though Casey resolved the related legal issues privately, Ben continued to support his brother’s work and appearances. Throughout the 2017 awards season, Ben was often seen publicly celebrating Casey’s successes. Ben hasn’t publicly discussed the details of the allegations, but he’s remained close to his brother throughout the entire situation.

Diane Keaton

Diane Keaton has often spoken out in defense of Woody Allen, a longtime friend and collaborator, despite accusations of misconduct against him. In 2018, she publicly reiterated her support, stating she believed Allen’s denials and valued their friendship. Keaton, who won an Academy Award for ‘Annie Hall,’ has worked with Allen on many films over the years and has consistently cited previous investigations as the reason for her continued loyalty.

Erykah Badu

Erykah Badu received backlash after a 2019 concert when she appeared to express support for R. Kelly, suggesting people pray for him while he was facing serious sexual abuse allegations. She later explained on social media that while she stands with victims, she also believes everyone deserves a chance at redemption. This sparked a larger conversation about whether it’s possible to separate an artist’s work from their problematic personal behavior.

Helena Bonham Carter

As a longtime admirer of both Johnny Depp and Amber Heard, the whole legal battle was really difficult to watch. I was particularly struck by Helena Bonham Carter’s recent comments in ‘The Times’. She basically said the jury’s decision totally cleared Johnny’s name, and I have to admit, I felt a sense of relief for him. She described the public response as a kind of ‘witch hunt,’ which is a strong term, but honestly, I could see where she was coming from. Having worked with him on ‘Sweeney Todd,’ she clearly knows him as a person and firmly believes the accusations didn’t reflect his true character. It’s just a really messy situation, and I respect that she’s standing by a friend.

Jodie Foster

After Mel Gibson faced widespread criticism and was largely ostracized from the film industry in 2006 due to anti-Semitic comments, Jodie Foster continued to support him. She notably chose him to star in her 2011 film, ‘The Beaver,’ when many others wouldn’t work with him. Foster has often spoken highly of Gibson, describing him as a well-liked and faithful friend, and has consistently argued for his return to the industry, pointing to his talent and personal development as reasons for her backing.

Judi Dench

Judi Dench publicly disagreed with the decision to remove Kevin Spacey from the film ‘All the Money in the World’ after accusations of sexual misconduct surfaced. Speaking at a film festival, she praised Spacey’s acting skills and wondered if his career should be completely wiped out. Dench, who previously worked with Spacey on ‘The Shipping News,’ described him as a “good friend” and exceptionally talented. She believes an artist’s personal life shouldn’t overshadow their work.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber has continued to be friends with Chris Brown publicly, even after Brown’s 2009 conviction for assaulting Rihanna. They’ve often worked together on music, and Bieber has repeatedly defended Brown online when people have criticized him. At one point, Bieber even compared Brown to music icons like Michael Jackson and Tupac, implying people would later recognize his talent. Bieber’s support often focuses on the ideas of forgiveness and giving people a chance to change.

Lindsay Lohan

In 2017, after initial accusations of sexual assault against Harvey Weinstein became public, Lindsay Lohan publicly expressed support for him. In an Instagram video, she said she sympathized with the producer and questioned the fairness of the allegations. Lohan, who had worked on films released through Weinstein’s companies, also urged his wife, Georgina Chapman, to support him. She later removed the posts due to widespread criticism from the public and activist organizations.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis wrote a letter supporting Danny Masterson during his trial, joining her husband Ashton Kutcher. In the letter, Kunis described Masterson as a positive older brother figure who helped guide her when they both worked on ‘That ’70s Show’. She stated that she knew him for over twenty-five years and believed he was a good person committed to staying away from drugs. After the letters were made public following Masterson’s conviction, both Kunis and Kutcher received significant criticism for their involvement.

Natalie Portman

In 2009, Natalie Portman joined other prominent figures in signing a petition asking for the release of director Roman Polanski, who had been arrested in Switzerland related to a 1977 case of drugging and assaulting a minor. At the time, many in the film industry felt the legal case against Polanski was unfair, and Portman’s signature reflected that view. However, in 2018, she publicly stated she regretted signing it, acknowledging that attitudes within the industry had changed considerably.

Phylicia Rashād

As a critic, I remember being pretty shocked when Phylicia Rashād publicly came out in support of Bill Cosby after his conviction was overturned. It felt…complicated. She famously played his wife on ‘The Cosby Show,’ and her initial statement – calling it a correction of a ‘terrible wrong’ – really sparked a lot of outrage. People were understandably upset, and she faced immediate criticism, especially from the university where she was working at the time. She did walk back her comments a bit later, saying she stood with sexual assault survivors, but also insisted she still personally supported Cosby. It was a messy situation, and honestly, a really tough moment to watch unfold.

Rihanna

Years after Chris Brown assaulted her in 2009, Rihanna surprised many by reconnecting with him. Their collaboration on a 2012 remix of her song ‘Birthday Cake’ suggested they had resolved their issues both professionally and personally. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey, Rihanna shared that they had rebuilt their friendship and remained close. She explained she had forgiven him and genuinely wanted him to do well, despite the seriousness of what happened in the past.

Robert Downey Jr.

During his speech at the 2011 American Cinematheque Awards, Robert Downey Jr. publicly asked the film industry to forgive Mel Gibson. Downey Jr. explained that Gibson had supported him during a difficult time in his career, helping him find work and insurance after he faced legal troubles and battled addiction. He urged the industry to give Gibson the same opportunity for a fresh start that he himself had been given. Downey Jr. and Gibson have been close friends for more than thirty years and are often seen together at Hollywood events.

Robert Kardashian

Robert Kardashian, a longtime friend of O.J. Simpson, rejoined the bar specifically to help defend Simpson in his 1995 murder trial. He became part of the famous defense team, often called the “Dream Team,” which successfully argued for Simpson’s acquittal. Kardashian’s decision was driven by his loyalty to Simpson and his conviction that his friend was innocent, even with the evidence against him. The trial significantly changed Kardashian’s public profile and contributed to the future fame of his family.

Scarlett Johansson

In a 2019 interview, Scarlett Johansson publicly supported Woody Allen, saying she believed his denials of sexual abuse allegations. Having appeared in his films ‘Match Point’ and ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona,’ she indicated she would be open to collaborating with him again. Johansson stated she had personally discussed the allegations with Allen and found his explanation convincing. This position differed from many of her colleagues, who had committed to no longer working with Allen.

Sharon Stone

As a film lover, I was surprised to hear Sharon Stone publicly back Kevin Spacey earlier this year. After his acquittals in the various cases, she basically said she couldn’t wait to see him acting again, even calling him a “genius.” She feels like the industry needs to move on and let him work. It really struck me as a sign of how divided Hollywood is when it comes to actors who’ve faced serious accusations – some people clearly believe in second chances, while others don’t.

Tyrese Gibson

In 2019, as allegations of sexual abuse against R. Kelly resurfaced, Tyrese Gibson spoke out in his defense online. Gibson argued that Kelly’s music shouldn’t be forgotten because of his legal problems, and hoped the singer could find peace. These comments sparked strong criticism from fans and organizations supporting survivors of abuse.

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg caused an uproar on ‘The View’ when she defended film director Roman Polanski, who was convicted of statutory rape in 1977. She previously suggested his actions weren’t a clear-cut case of “rape,” considering the legal details at the time. Goldberg also initially doubted the many accusations against Bill Cosby before more proof emerged. She often uses her show to emphasize the importance of due process and examining the legal facts in high-profile scandals involving celebrities.

Please share your thoughts on these celebrity friendships and public defenses in the comments.

2026-01-17 18:46