Actors Who Took Their Co-Stars to Court and Sued Them

It’s not uncommon for disagreements on movie or TV sets to end up in court. While some actors become lifelong friends, others clash over issues like contracts, personal problems, or money. These legal battles offer a look at the challenges of being famous and the pressures of working in Hollywood. Recently, several male actors have taken their co-stars to court over issues ranging from accusations of damaging their reputation to disagreements about property.

Johnny Depp

Following an article detailing her experiences with abuse, actor Johnny Depp sued his ex-wife and fellow actor Amber Heard for defamation. The couple first met on the set of ‘The Rum Diary’ and later married, but their relationship ended in a highly publicized court case. Depp argued the article damaged his career and led to lost film opportunities. After a trial in Virginia, the jury awarded Depp millions of dollars in damages. The case gained worldwide attention, offering a glimpse into the complicated personal lives of celebrities.

Brad Pitt

As a movie fan, it’s always a bit sad to see things get messy between actors you admire. I was surprised to learn that Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are locked in a legal battle over their French winery. Apparently, she sold her share to someone else without his knowledge or permission, and he’s claiming it breaks an agreement they had – they both promised not to sell without agreeing first. It’s become a really complicated case, involving lawyers in multiple countries, all centered around managing their property there. Honestly, it’s shaping up to be one of the biggest financial fights we’ve seen between a former Hollywood couple.

James Woods

In the late 1980s, James Woods sued his “The Boost” co-star, Sean Young, for a substantial amount of money. He claimed she harassed and stalked him after they stopped working together, alleging she left unsettling items at his house and tried to disrupt his life. After months of public accusations and media attention, the case was settled privately. The situation served as a warning about how work relationships can sometimes turn into personal conflicts.

Jim Belushi

Jim Belushi filed a lawsuit against his neighbor and former ‘According to Jim’ guest star, Julie Newmar, seeking $4 million in damages. Belushi claimed Newmar harassed and publicly defamed him during a disagreement over property lines. He said this caused him emotional distress and disrupted his peace at home. The case was ultimately resolved, and the two publicly made amends when Newmar later appeared as a guest on Belushi’s show. The situation demonstrated how easily conflicts can occur, even among experienced people in the entertainment industry.

Burt Reynolds

During their divorce, Burt Reynolds and Loni Anderson engaged in a public and contentious legal battle. Reynolds challenged their prenuptial agreement and how their property would be divided. He also sought a court order to ensure Loni fulfilled financial commitments and agreed on a custody plan for their son. The highly publicized case exposed a lot of bad feelings between the two actors, and ultimately, Reynolds paid a substantial amount to settle the dispute.

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen and his ex-wife, Denise Richards, had a long and public legal battle following their divorce. Sheen filed multiple motions in court to change their separation agreement, specifically regarding child support and where their children would live. The conflict lasted for years, frequently appearing in family court and becoming a regular topic in entertainment news during the early 2000s.

Paul Hogan

Paul Hogan sued his longtime friend and ‘Crocodile Dundee’ co-star, John Cornell, over money earned from their popular films. Hogan claimed the accounting of the film’s profits was inaccurate. The lawsuit followed decades of close collaboration and friendship, and signaled a major breakdown in one of Australia’s most successful entertainment partnerships.

John Cleese

John Cleese went through a complicated divorce from his ‘Fawlty Towers’ co-star and creative partner, Connie Booth. Even though they continued to work together, the legal process of ending their marriage involved substantial financial agreements. Cleese had to sort out how to divide the money and ownership of their joint projects, and he openly discussed the expensive legal fees and how they affected his career. The case demonstrated how challenging it can be to separate personal relationships from professional work, especially in the entertainment industry.

Kelsey Grammer

Kelsey Grammer and his ex-wife, Camille Grammer, who also appeared on his show ‘Cheers,’ were involved in a public and complicated divorce. They went to court to settle disagreements about their money and assets, including how to divide property and future income from Kelsey’s career. The details of their separation were even shown on reality TV. Eventually, Kelsey reached a legal agreement, allowing him to continue with his life.

Tom Arnold

After his divorce and the end of their working relationship, Tom Arnold filed a lawsuit against his ex-wife and ‘Roseanne’ co-star, Roseanne Barr. He requested a substantial amount of money, arguing he deserved a share of the profits from her production company and TV shows due to his contributions. The dispute became public and attracted a lot of media attention before it was eventually settled. The case highlighted the significant financial considerations that can arise when people collaborate on television projects.

Kevin Costner

Kevin Costner and Stephen Baldwin, who previously worked together as business partners, ended up in court over a financial deal. They had invested in a company developing technology to clean up oil spills following the Deepwater Horizon disaster. Costner initially sued, but Baldwin countersued, claiming he’d been cheated out of a significant amount of money. Ultimately, Costner won the case after a trial, with the jury finding he hadn’t acted improperly. The dispute brought a surprising legal showdown between the two Hollywood actors.

Stephen Baldwin

Stephen Baldwin sued Kevin Costner, claiming he was tricked about how valuable their business together actually was. Baldwin said Costner and another business partner kept him out of a profitable deal with an oil company and that this was a breach of trust. The case went to trial in New Orleans, where both actors discussed their working relationship. However, the jury sided with Costner, and Baldwin didn’t receive any of the money he asked for.

Lorenzo Lamas

During their divorce, Lorenzo Lamas and his ex-wife, Shauna Sand – who also starred with him on ‘Renegade’ – engaged in a legal battle. Lamas fought for custody of their children and tried to restrict Sand’s access to them, citing several concerns. They also had to divide the property and earnings they’d accumulated throughout their time working in the entertainment business. The highly publicized case received a lot of attention from the tabloids because of the couple’s tumultuous relationship. Ultimately, Lamas won a court decision that officially ended their marriage and resolved their disagreements.

David Hasselhoff

David Hasselhoff and his ex-wife, Pamela Bach, who also starred with him on ‘Baywatch,’ went to court over alimony payments after he filed for divorce. Hasselhoff asked the court to lower the amount he paid, explaining that his income and career had changed since their original agreement. He felt the original settlement was no longer affordable. The resulting legal dispute was lengthy and involved a close look at how much money Hasselhoff earned from the show’s international distribution. Ultimately, they reached a new agreement to settle the financial issues.

Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin sued Genevieve Sabourin, an actress who had a minor role in ‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash,’ after she repeatedly contacted him unwantedly. Baldwin claimed her actions caused him distress and made him fear for his safety. Sabourin was convicted and jailed for her behavior. The case demonstrated the potential security risks actors face from people they encounter through their work.

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Jean-Claude Van Damme and Frank Dux, who worked as a fight choreographer and co-star on the film ‘The Quest’, were involved in a lawsuit. Dux claimed he co-wrote the story and deserved a portion of the film’s profits. Van Damme argued in court that they never had a formal agreement about payment. The trial included martial arts demonstrations and discussions about how the movie was made. Ultimately, the jury sided with Van Damme and dismissed Dux’s claims for money.

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan took legal action against Heather Clem because of a private video she was involved in filming and sharing. Clem was someone Hogan knew well, having appeared on his reality shows and been part of his professional life. Hogan claimed the video was a violation of his privacy and severely damaged his career. This lawsuit was one of several that ultimately led to the collapse of a large media company. Hogan ultimately won a substantial financial settlement to cover the emotional and professional harm he experienced.

Christopher Knight

Actor Christopher Knight finalized his divorce from Adrianne Curry, his co-star on the reality show ‘My Fair Brady’. The legal proceedings centered on dividing their shared property and settling the terms of their separation. The couple first met on the show ‘The Surreal Life’ before getting their own series. Ultimately, Knight obtained a court judgment officially ending their marriage.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard and his ex-wife, Michelle Ghent, were involved in a lengthy court case regarding their divorce settlement. Howard claimed he was pressured and threatened into signing the original agreement, and that Ghent tried to blackmail him and harm his career, particularly while he was working on the TV show ‘Empire’. After years of court appearances and appeals in California, Howard was able to partially change the financial terms of their divorce.

Sean Penn

Sean Penn sued Lee Daniels, the creator and star of ‘Empire,’ for $10 million, claiming defamation. Penn took legal action because Daniels publicly compared him to people accused of domestic abuse, which Penn said was false and harmed his career. The case was resolved when Daniels apologized publicly and donated to a charity chosen by Penn. This situation highlights the legal risks of making false statements about others in the entertainment business.

Jerry Seinfeld

Jerry Seinfeld faced a lawsuit from Christian Charles, the director of the first episode of ‘Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee’. Charles claimed he originally came up with the idea for the show and wanted to be credited and paid for it. Seinfeld disagreed, arguing he created the popular online series himself. Ultimately, the judge ruled in Seinfeld’s favor, dismissing the lawsuit because Charles waited too long to file it. This meant Seinfeld could continue to fully own and control the show he created.

Richard Hatch

Richard Hatch, known for his role in ‘Battlestar Galactica,’ filed a lawsuit against the show’s producers and others involved with the franchise. He argued that he had an agreement allowing him to create his own projects based on the series, but the studio later took that right away. For years, Hatch fought in court to defend his ideas and ownership of his creative work related to the show. The case brought attention to the challenges actors often face when trying to control how their iconic characters and the related stories are developed.

Peter Falk

Peter Falk, the star of ‘Columbo,’ sued the show’s producers, claiming they hadn’t paid him all the royalties he was owed. Falk argued the studio used complicated financial maneuvers to avoid giving him his rightful share of the profits, and that the show’s international popularity meant he deserved more money. The resulting legal fight lasted a long time but was eventually resolved with a settlement. The case became famous as an example of an actor demanding clear and honest accounting practices in Hollywood.

Mickey Rooney

As a lifelong Mickey Rooney fan, I was heartbroken to learn about what happened towards the end of his life. Apparently, he had to take his own stepson and some business partners to court because he felt they were taking advantage of him financially and emotionally. He said they were holding back his money and wouldn’t let him make his own choices. He desperately wanted to protect himself, get back his awards and keepsakes, and just be left alone. It was a really sad situation, and it came out during the court case. Thankfully, he eventually got the legal help he needed, and he spent his last years trying to help other seniors avoid similar abuse. It’s just awful to think about such a talented and beloved actor going through all that.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman, the star of ‘Diff’rent Strokes’, took legal action against his parents and former business manager, claiming they stole millions of dollars he earned as a child. He argued that money was taken from his trust fund without his consent or even his awareness. Coleman wanted his money returned and a full review of all financial dealings related to his childhood career. After a lengthy court battle, he ultimately won the case. This lawsuit highlighted the need to safeguard the finances of young performers.

Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin went to court to remove his parents as the managers of his money and legal affairs. The actor, famous for ‘Home Alone,’ wanted to safeguard the millions he’d earned, believing his parents were using it for themselves instead of saving it for his future. The court agreed, giving him control of his finances. This well-publicized case sparked a larger conversation about the legal protections young performers need in the film industry.

Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman has been involved in several lawsuits with people he worked with, particularly those connected to his late friend and co-star, Corey Haim. He’s taken these actions to safeguard their joint work and settle disagreements over money. Feldman claims some individuals were trying to unfairly profit from his life story without permission. He’s repeatedly used the courts to defend his own rights and those of other former child actors, becoming a well-known advocate for changes within the entertainment industry.

Larry Hagman

Larry Hagman, the actor who played J.R. Ewing on ‘Dallas’, sued the show’s producers because they were using his image on things like slot machines and other products without his permission or paying him. He argued this broke his contract and violated his right to control how he was represented. This lawsuit was part of a broader attempt by the show’s cast to get a portion of the money made from merchandise. Ultimately, Hagman reached an agreement that protected his rights to the famous character he played.

William Shatner

William Shatner has frequently used lawsuits to defend his reputation against false claims made in the media. He believed these claims harmed both his career and his businesses, and he took legal action against those he felt had libeled him. Throughout his long career, Shatner has consistently sought to protect his public image through these legal battles.

George Kennedy

George Kennedy sued the makers of ‘The Concorde Airport 79’ over a disagreement about his contract and how he was paid. He claimed the studio didn’t give his name enough attention in their advertising, as promised in their agreement. Kennedy sought financial compensation, feeling his reputation as an Oscar winner had been damaged. The case showed how important image and status are when negotiating contracts in Hollywood. Ultimately, Kennedy reached a settlement and continued to have a successful acting career.

Share your thoughts on these high profile legal battles in the comments.

2026-02-28 09:18