Hollywood often appears to be filled with lasting wealth and glamour, but many famous actresses have actually faced serious financial difficulties. Through issues like lawsuits, poor financial decisions, personal problems, or simply spending too much, they lost fortunes they had earned. Staying wealthy requires careful money management, which proved difficult for some. This list looks at actresses who reached the peak of fame, only to later struggle financially.
Kim Basinger
Kim Basinger, famous for her role in ‘L.A. Confidential,’ faced serious financial problems after buying the town of Braselton, Georgia in 1989. She hoped to transform it into a popular tourist destination, but the venture failed and led her to file for bankruptcy in 1993. Further legal issues concerning a canceled film contract worsened her financial situation, forcing her to sell off many of her possessions. Even with successful films like ‘Batman’ under her belt, she struggled for years to recover financially. Her experience is a well-known example of a risky real estate investment that didn’t pay off in Hollywood.
Toni Braxton
Toni Braxton is best known as a singer, but she’s also appeared in films like ‘Kingdom Come’ and starred in her own reality show. Throughout her career, she filed for bankruptcy twice because she wasn’t earning much from her music and had high personal expenses. These financial difficulties were worsened by health issues that caused her to cancel profitable concerts. As a result of legal battles, she even lost ownership of many of her songs. Despite everything, Toni has worked hard to rebuild her career and return to performing.
Lindsay Lohan
Lindsay Lohan, known for her roles in ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘The Parent Trap,’ made a lot of money as a young star. However, legal and personal problems made it hard for her to continue working steadily, and her finances began to decline. Eventually, she owed a lot of back taxes and had high expenses, leading to the IRS taking control of her bank accounts. At one point, she even had trouble affording rent on her home in London. Her story highlights the intense pressures and financial difficulties that many young celebrities face.
Pamela Anderson
Pamela Anderson made a lot of money as an actress during her successful TV and movie career. However, she later struggled financially because of unpaid taxes and costly renovations to her Malibu house. This led her to sell her properties and move to a smaller home. Over time, legal costs and changes in her personal life further reduced her wealth. She has since returned to her home country of Canada to live a simpler life.
Courtney Love
The actress known for her role in ‘The People vs. Larry Flynt’ apparently lost most of the money inherited from her husband. She alleges that accountants and lawyers mismanaged millions of dollars over several years, and that her spending and ongoing legal battles further depleted her funds. Eventually, she had to sell the rights to her music to make ends meet, and she once stated that the majority of the money she earned during the Nirvana years had disappeared. She’s become a strong advocate for better financial management within the entertainment industry.
Mischa Barton
The actress who became famous on ‘The O.C.’ struggled financially after her early success. She lost her Beverly Hills home to foreclosure and even sued her mother, claiming she mismanaged her money. Despite earning a lot as a young star, legal costs and a slowdown in acting work quickly used up her savings. She also faced lawsuits from production companies because she missed scheduled appearances. All of this led to serious financial difficulties.
Teresa Giudice
Before facing legal issues, she lived a very public, luxurious life as a cast member on ‘The Real Housewives of New Jersey.’ In 2009, she and her husband declared bankruptcy, admitting they owed millions. This ultimately resulted in both of them being charged with and convicted of fraud, leading to prison time. She used most of her original wealth to cover restitution and legal costs. Since then, she’s been working to pay off her remaining debts through book sales and ongoing work in television.
Zsa Zsa Gabor
This famous Hollywood actress and socialite, known for her roles in films like ‘Moulin Rouge,’ lived a lavish lifestyle. However, she lost a significant amount of money through a large investment fraud. Facing ongoing legal problems and health challenges that required costly care, her husband eventually had to sell their home and possessions to pay for everything. Though she was once a symbol of Hollywood glamour, her later years were filled with financial difficulties.
Judy Garland
Watching Judy Garland’s life unfold on screen, or even just reading about it, is heartbreaking. Here was a woman who absolutely shone in films like ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and built a hugely successful career in music, yet she struggled with money her entire life. It’s shocking to learn that despite all her earnings, she was consistently taken advantage of by those she trusted – her agents and even family. She ended up battling massive tax debts and, incredibly, spent her final years performing in small clubs just to stay afloat. It’s a truly tragic story, a stark reminder that even the brightest stars can be left with nothing when those around them mismanage their finances.
Debbie Reynolds
Debra Paget, known for her role in ‘Singin’ in the Rain,’ nearly lost everything financially because of her second husband’s unsuccessful business ventures. A Las Vegas hotel and casino project failed, forcing her to declare bankruptcy. For years, she worked tirelessly performing on cruise ships and in smaller clubs to pay off her debts. She even sold off her impressive collection of Hollywood keepsakes to cover what she owed. Despite these hardships, her determination and strength earned her widespread admiration within the entertainment industry.
Lena Headey
The actress known for her role in ‘Game of Thrones’ publicly shared during her divorce that she had surprisingly little money remaining. Despite starring in a popular TV show, she faced financial difficulties due to high legal fees and the costs of the separation. She even had to sell her Los Angeles home for less than she paid for it just to cover her bills. This situation demonstrated that even successful television careers don’t always lead to lasting wealth. She’s continued to work as an actress and has been open about the anxiety caused by her financial struggles.
Kelly Rutherford
The actress best known for her work on ‘Gossip Girl’ recently filed for bankruptcy after a long and expensive fight to keep her children in the US. She spent around $1.5 million on lawyers and travel costs during the custody battle, which ultimately wiped out her savings. She eventually lost her home and belongings and had to rely on the generosity of friends. Her experience highlighted the significant financial burden that family court battles can create.
Tori Spelling
Growing up as the daughter of a famous TV producer, she enjoyed a life of luxury and became well-known for her decade-long role on ‘Beverly Hills 90210’. However, she later faced serious money problems, inheriting only a small portion of her father’s considerable fortune. Years of lavish spending and supporting a large family resulted in numerous lawsuits from creditors and the government. She’s openly shared her financial difficulties in reality TV appearances and her autobiographies. Her experience highlights the challenges of going from inherited wealth to financial independence and serves as a warning to others.
Loni Anderson
I always loved her on ‘WKRP,’ and it was so sad to hear about what happened after her divorce from Burt Reynolds. The legal fight was really tough on her, and things changed dramatically. She actually had to file for bankruptcy in the mid-90s – I was shocked to read she owed over a million dollars, and a lot of it was to fancy stores! It seemed like work just dried up, making it impossible to pay everything back. She did eventually get things sorted out, but sadly, she never really regained the success she once had. It’s a reminder that even people who seem to have it all can face really difficult times.
Tionne Watkins
Tionne ‘T-Boz’ Watkins, known from the group TLC and her acting roles, faced both success and hardship in the entertainment industry. She dealt with serious health challenges, including sickle cell anemia and a brain tumor, which led to mounting medical bills. Combined with high mortgage payments and insufficient earnings from her earlier work, these issues resulted in multiple bankruptcies and eventually the loss of her home. Despite these difficulties, her strength and resilience have been a source of inspiration to her fans.
Margot Kidder
The actress known for playing Lois Lane in the ‘Superman’ movies experienced a very public struggle with her mental health, which led to financial hardship. In 1996, she was discovered living on the streets, having lost everything due to mounting medical bills and a lack of work. Years of health issues and not having insurance meant she lost all her career savings. She eventually regained stability and continued acting in smaller, independent films. In her later years, she dedicated her life to activism while living a simpler life.
Heidi Montag
Known for her appearance on ‘The Hills,’ she and her husband famously lost a $10 million fortune. They spent lavishly on things like plastic surgery, designer clothes, and music videos that didn’t make any money. Eventually, they ended up with no savings and had to move into a guest house. She later shared that they acted as if their wealth would last forever. Their story is a cautionary tale about the risks of quick fame from reality TV.
Janice Dickinson
Once known as the first supermodel and a reality TV personality, she filed for bankruptcy in 2013, owing over a million dollars in unpaid taxes and medical bills from cosmetic surgery. Unable to maintain her expensive lifestyle without consistent income in her later years, she lost most of her possessions during the bankruptcy process and had to rebuild her finances. While she continues to appear in public, her period of great wealth is over.
Doris Day
The celebrated actress and singer faced a shocking betrayal late in her career when she learned her husband and lawyer had spent all of her money. Despite being a major star in the 1950s and 60s, she was left with significant debts. To resolve them, she had to take a television role she didn’t enjoy. Although a later legal case awarded her over twenty million dollars, she only managed to recover a small portion of it. For the rest of her life, she dedicated herself to animal welfare and lived a peaceful, private life.
Veronica Lake
A popular actress from the 1940s, famous for her distinctive hairstyle, sadly ended up living in poverty. Her career suffered because of personal difficulties, and she was eventually found working as a bartender in a New York hotel. She had lost all the money she earned in Hollywood due to expensive legal battles and poor financial planning. She spent her last years quietly in a small apartment, far from the public eye. Her story is a powerful reminder that fame doesn’t always last.
Erin Moran
After finding fame as a young actress on ‘Happy Days,’ her life became challenging. She lost her house in California and eventually had to move to a trailer park in Indiana. Years of inconsistent work and personal struggles used up her savings. Although she sued the studio behind her popular show hoping to recover unpaid earnings, the money wasn’t enough to improve her financial situation. She sadly passed away in 2017 still struggling financially.
Mackenzie Phillips
Becoming famous as a star on ‘One Day at a Time’ meant she earned a lot of money while still young. However, she battled substance abuse for many years, which ultimately cost her the job and most of her fortune. She experienced several arrests and spent years going in and out of rehab, further depleting her savings. Eventually, she turned her life around and became a drug counselor, helping others while living a simpler life. Her inspiring story of overcoming financial and personal hardship is told in her autobiography.
Delta Burke
After leaving ‘Designing Women,’ the actress experienced both financial and personal difficulties. Disputes with the show’s producers and fewer opportunities for major roles reduced her wealth. She also faced health problems that were costly to treat and made it hard to keep up with demanding filming schedules. Though she continued working, her highest-paying jobs became a thing of the past. In recent years, she’s prioritized her well-being and her marriage, stepping away from the intense pressures of Hollywood.
Brett Butler
The actress and comedian known for ‘Grace Under Fire’ faced a devastating downfall due to addiction, losing both her career and wealth. After being fired from her hit show and exhausting her finances, she spent years living in a homeless shelter. She lost the money she earned from the series due to extravagant spending and poor financial guidance. Eventually, she overcame her addiction and began acting again, appearing in shows like ‘The Walking Dead’ and ‘The Leftovers’. Her journey to sobriety proves her incredible resilience, even after losing everything she had earned.
Yasmine Bleeth
She became a household name in the 1990s thanks to starring roles in shows like ‘Baywatch’ and ‘Nash Bridges’. However, her career was suddenly cut short by personal problems and legal difficulties. The expenses from her legal battles and taking time off work quickly drained her savings. Ultimately, she left Hollywood to prioritize her health and has maintained a private life ever since. Her experience demonstrates how quickly things can change when personal struggles impact professional achievements.
Amanda Bynes
Amanda Bynes rose to fame as a young actress on ‘The Amanda Show’ and in movies like ‘Hairspray,’ earning a considerable amount of money. However, her career slowed down after several public struggles and legal issues, leading her parents to gain legal control over her life. While away from acting, high medical bills and a lack of work depleted her savings. She later decided to pursue a degree in fashion design, hoping for a fresh start. For years, a major part of her legal battles revolved around managing what money she had left.
Tia Carrere
Early in her career, the actress known for ‘Wayne’s World’ filed for bankruptcy as a way to escape a contract she believed was unfair. While it meant losing a lot of her initial income, it freed her to pursue larger roles. She successfully rebuilt her career, later finding fame in projects like ‘Lilo and Stitch.’ This bold move highlighted how far some actresses will go to take control of their careers. She’s continued to work steadily in both acting and music ever since.
Sondra Locke
The acclaimed actress, known for her Academy Award nomination, suffered major financial hardship during a lengthy legal fight with Clint Eastwood. She accused him of fraud and hindering her career with a false business arrangement. Years of legal costs drained her savings, and while she eventually settled the disputes, the experience severely impacted her well-being. She spent her later years prioritizing her health and passed away in 2018.
Cybill Shepherd
You know, as much as I loved Cybill Shepherd in ‘Moonlighting’ and ‘Cybill’, it’s kind of sad to hear she’s really had to hustle throughout her career. Apparently, she’s battled some serious tax problems for years, always needing to work to stay afloat. Plus, keeping up appearances as a celebrity and going through personal changes definitely took a toll on her finances. It wasn’t like she was ever completely broke, but things were often much tighter than people probably imagined. She’s a pro though, still taking roles in indie films and popping up on TV to keep working – I really admire that.
Hedy Lamarr
A famous actress and inventor from Hollywood’s Golden Age, she sadly struggled with money later in life. Despite being a brilliant innovator who helped advance communication technology, she relied on a small Social Security income. She also dealt with legal troubles, including shoplifting charges, and spent a significant portion of her remaining funds on legal fees and unsuccessful lawsuits. In her final years, she lived a quiet life in a simple Florida home. It wasn’t until after she passed away that people fully appreciated the importance of her scientific work.
Frances Farmer
A bright star of the 1930s lost everything after being repeatedly committed to mental institutions against her will. She faced huge medical and legal bills and couldn’t manage her own money for years. After finally being released, she had to work low-paying jobs like a hotel clerk just to get by. Eventually, she reinvented herself as a local TV host in Indiana. Her life is a sad example of how the old Hollywood system and the legal system could take away a person’s wealth and self-respect.
Shannen Doherty
The actress, known for her roles in ‘Charmed’ and ‘Beverly Hills 90210,’ struggled financially because of legal problems and high medical expenses. She publicly sued her previous managers for letting her health insurance expire when she needed it most. The continuous costs of fighting cancer also created a major financial hardship. She often discussed the financial difficulties of dealing with a long-term illness and the need for trustworthy professional guidance. Many people have been inspired by her strength in overcoming both health and money troubles.
Maureen McCormick
Maureen McCormick, best known as Marcia Brady from ‘The Brady Bunch,’ faced hardship after the show ended, battling addiction and finding it difficult to secure consistent work. She spent a lot of her early income on her lifestyle, which led to financial struggles for many years. Eventually, she shared her story in a memoir and returned to television to rebuild her career and public image. Her experience is similar to many child stars who have trouble adjusting to life as adults. Thankfully, she’s now found stability and continues to work in entertainment.
Lisa Robin Kelly
I remember when Tanya Roberts was huge on ‘That 70s Show’ – she seemed like a real star. It was so sad to watch everything fall apart for her. After some difficult personal and legal battles, she lost her role on the show and couldn’t really find steady work again. It’s heartbreaking, but she ended up spending what money she had on lawyers and dealing with ongoing problems. Sadly, she passed away in a treatment center after years of struggling with instability and being broke. Her life is often used as a warning about how quickly things can change in Hollywood, and how easily success can slip away.
Dana Plato
Dana Plato, known for her role on ‘Diff’rent Strokes,’ faced a difficult life after the show ended. She lost the money she earned as a child due to a fraudulent accountant and couldn’t find consistent work as an adult. This led to legal troubles, including arrests for armed robbery and prescription forgery in 1991. In her later years, she lived in a motor home and struggled with poverty until her death. Her story is a tragic example of the challenges many child actors face as they grow older.
Jaime Pressly
Jaime Pressly, known for her role in ‘My Name is Earl,’ went through a tough time financially because she owed a large amount in back taxes. The IRS placed liens on her property totaling over $600,000 for taxes she hadn’t paid over several years. She took on different acting jobs in TV and movies to pay off the debt. Since then, she’s emphasized the need to understand your finances and manage your own business affairs. By openly discussing her tax issues, she’s helped show that financial problems can happen to anyone, even celebrities.
Gaby Hoffmann
Growing up as a successful child actor in movies like ‘Field of Dreams’ and ‘Sleepless in Seattle,’ she made a lot of money at a young age. However, she later shared that she had spent most of it by the time she was an adult. At one point, she and her mother lived in a hotel, and she had to rebuild her career completely. Now, she’s a respected actress known for her work in shows like ‘Girls’ and ‘Transparent.’ Her story is a reminder of how easily child actors can lose their earnings when others control their finances.
Dominique Swain
Dominique Swain, known for roles in ‘Lolita’ and ‘Face/Off,’ struggled to keep up her initial success after moving to independent films. Without the income from big studio projects and with the high cost of living in Los Angeles, she quickly used up her savings. While she continues to work steadily in horror and thriller movies, these projects have much smaller budgets than her earlier films. Her experience is common for actors who continue working but no longer receive leading roles. She remains a part of the Hollywood film industry.
Tara Reid
Tara Reid, known for her role in ‘American Pie,’ became a frequent subject of tabloid attention, which unfortunately affected her career. Overspending combined with fewer prominent film roles led to a decrease in her wealth. She received public scrutiny for her personal life and began appearing mostly in lower-budget films, including the popular but modest success ‘Sharknado.’ Despite continuing to work as an actress, she hasn’t regained the financial status she once had, navigating the challenges of maintaining a career in the entertainment industry.
Jena Malone
The actress known for her roles in ‘Stepmom’ and ‘The Hunger Games’ took legal action against her mother, alleging improper handling of the money she earned as a young performer. She stated that over $1 million was spent without her permission while she was still a minor. While this lawsuit was essential for securing her financial future, it also revealed the loss of her childhood earnings. She has gone on to achieve success as an adult actress, working in both popular and independent films. Her experience is frequently cited as a key example of why the Coogan Law – which protects the earnings of child actors – is so important.
Martha Raye
For decades, she was a celebrated actress in movies and on television, but her final years were marked by hardship. Family disagreements and mounting medical bills led to financial difficulties. Her seventh husband was accused of mismanaging her money as her health declined, resulting in a very public and upsetting legal fight over her possessions and well-being. Sadly, by the time of her death, much of the wealth she had earned throughout her remarkable career had been depleted by these conflicts. She was a much-loved performer who faced both financial and personal struggles in her later life.
Peggy Lipton
The actress, known for roles in ‘The Mod Squad’ and ‘Twin Peaks,’ struggled financially after taking time away from acting. A risky investment that didn’t pay off cost her a lot of money, and she had to return to work later in life to rebuild her savings. While she found success on television again, she was careful with her money for the rest of her life. The experience taught her to be wary of promises of easy wealth, especially in the entertainment industry.
Linda Evans
The actress, famous for her role on ‘Dynasty,’ was very wealthy in the 1980s, but her fortunes changed after the show ended. She lost much of her money due to a financial advisor who made dangerous investments. She later moved to Washington state for a simpler life and had to adjust to living on less. This was a big shift from her glamorous days on television. She’s made a few appearances on screen over the years, but mostly for one-time projects.
Barbara Harris
The award-winning actress known for ‘Freaky Friday’ surprisingly stepped away from Hollywood when she was at the peak of her career. She wasn’t interested in the business aspects of acting, which eventually affected her finances. In her later years, she lived a modest life and didn’t care about the lavish lifestyle she once had. Though she wasn’t poor, she didn’t keep the wealth she could have accumulated, and remained happy with her choice to leave the public eye until her passing.
Susan Anton
I’ve always been a huge fan, and it’s amazing to me how she’s navigated her career. She was a massive star in the 70s and 80s, but things got tough when tastes changed. It wasn’t just that the big movie roles and Vegas shows slowed down, but also issues with how things were managed and some personal investments. She kept working steadily, but those incredibly high paydays just weren’t sustainable. Now, she’s still performing – she’s a really respected theater and live performer – but she’s living a much more down-to-earth life. I think her ability to adjust and deal with new financial realities is what’s allowed her to have such a long and successful career.
Natasha Lyonne
The actress known for ‘American Pie’ went through a very difficult time in the early 2000s, facing both financial hardship and personal struggles. This led to job loss and she spent much of the money she’d earned as a young star. She also dealt with legal and health challenges, forcing her to completely rebuild her life and career. Fortunately, she achieved a remarkable comeback with roles in ‘Orange Is the New Black’ and ‘Russian Doll’. Her journey is a powerful example of overcoming professional and financial setbacks.
Nichelle Nichols
It really broke my heart to learn about Nichelle Nichols’ later years. While she’ll always be Uhura to me, a true trailblazer, she unfortunately struggled financially towards the end of her life. It became a very public and painful situation involving her son and former manager, with disagreements over how her money was being handled and her care. The legal battles were costly, and it seemed like her finances weren’t being managed well, which ultimately impacted her estate. It was so sad to see fans rally and try to help her out financially in her final years, but it just highlighted how unfair things had become. Thankfully, none of that diminishes her incredible legacy – she’ll always be a pioneer who paved the way for so many.
Lisa Marie Presley
The daughter of Elvis Presley, also an actress, lost her substantial inheritance over the years. She filed a lawsuit against her former manager, claiming he mismanaged her $100 million fortune through bad investments and excessive spending. By the time of her death, reports indicated she owed millions in taxes and debts. Her life was defined by the challenge of handling her famous father’s estate while coping with personal tragedy, and she spent much of her later years in legal battles trying to reclaim her family’s wealth.
Anne Heche
The actress, famous for films like ‘Six Days Seven Nights’ and ‘Donnie Brasco,’ experienced ups and downs financially throughout her career. She said being linked to Ellen DeGeneres led to major studios avoiding her, which hurt her ability to earn money. Personal difficulties and legal costs also took a toll on her wealth. After her death, there were legal battles over the true value of her estate and how much money she owed. Overall, her career was a combination of success and financial hardship.
Amber Heard
After a long and costly divorce battle, the actress was ordered to pay a large sum of money. The expenses from the years-long legal fight and the final judgment forced her to sell some of her possessions to cover her debts. She then moved to Europe, seeking a quieter life away from the intense media attention surrounding the case. People are still talking about her financial situation as she looks for new acting opportunities in films made internationally.
Share your thoughts on these Hollywood financial stories in the comments.
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2026-02-27 00:22