Famous Actors Who Lost It All Before They Died

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Becoming famous doesn’t guarantee financial security, and many Hollywood stars have lost their fortunes. This happened for a variety of reasons, including unfair contracts, being stuck playing the same type of role, high medical and tax bills, bankruptcy, and struggles with addiction – all of which quickly depleted their savings. Despite this, many continued working until the end, taking on smaller jobs like appearances at fan events or local theater performances just to make ends meet. Their experiences highlight how money flows – and can quickly vanish – in the entertainment industry, especially without proper protection and support.

Judy Garland

Judy Garland made a fortune starring in classic movie musicals like ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and ‘Meet Me in St. Louis,’ but her contracts didn’t give her much say over her earnings. Over time, high medical bills, legal costs, and divorces created significant debt and unpaid taxes. She continued to perform in concerts and on television, often accepting lower pay just to get money quickly and keep her creditors from pursuing her. Even after her death in London in 1969, her estate was left with a lot of financial issues that took years to resolve.

Bela Lugosi

Bela Lugosi became strongly associated with his role as Dracula, but this ultimately limited his career to low-budget horror films that didn’t offer much stability. Because of his studio contracts and the lack of royalties, he didn’t continue to earn money from his earlier successes. Combined with health issues and a struggle with addiction that needed treatment, his expenses grew as he aged. He passed away in 1956 without significant wealth, and is primarily remembered for creating a legendary character rather than achieving financial prosperity.

Veronica Lake

Veronica Lake was once a popular actress, but her career declined as the film industry changed and she faced personal difficulties. A divorce and fewer job offers, combined with a stalled career, forced her to take on various jobs, like working in restaurants, to make ends meet. She tried to revive her career with stage performances and a memoir, but neither were hugely successful. She struggled with financial problems and health issues for many years before her death in 1973.

John Barrymore

John Barrymore was a famous actor in both theater and movies, known for roles like the one in ‘Grand Hotel.’ However, his lavish spending and periods of unemployment later in life created financial difficulties. He accumulated significant debts and legal fees, which led him to take on lower-paying jobs and make personal appearances for money. He often had to borrow money against his future income just to cover his current expenses. By the time of his death in 1942, much of the fortune he once had was gone, used to pay off debts and outstanding bills.

Hedy Lamarr

Hedy Lamarr was a famous actress, appearing in films like ‘Samson and Delilah,’ but she wasn’t paid fairly for her success. She spent a lot of money on property and legal battles, and unfortunately, never profited from her groundbreaking work on spread-spectrum technology, which is now used for secure communications. As her acting roles decreased, she faced more legal and financial issues, and despite her fame and important contributions, she passed away in 2000 with very limited financial resources.

Sammy Davis Jr.

Davis made a lot of money through his movies, like ‘Ocean’s 11,’ as well as concerts, shows in Las Vegas, and TV appearances. However, expensive spending, disagreements with his managers, and years of unpaid taxes created significant debt. He sold property and continued performing even when he was sick, trying to pay off these debts before his death in 1990. Unfortunately, he still owed a considerable amount in taxes when he passed away.

Gary Coleman

Gary Coleman, famous for his role on ‘Diff’rent Strokes,’ didn’t have control of his early earnings, which were managed by adults and business representatives. Although he won a lawsuit regarding poorly handled finances, the legal fees and a decline in acting opportunities created ongoing money problems. He declared bankruptcy in 1999 and worked various jobs and took on smaller acting roles to make ends meet. He passed away in 2010 still facing financial difficulties and high medical bills.

Dana Plato

After her time on ‘Diff’rent Strokes,’ Dana Plato faced a difficult period with inconsistent work and mounting financial problems. She dealt with legal issues, including a publicized robbery, which led to further expenses. Facing bankruptcy, she attempted to rebuild her finances through reality television and smaller acting roles. Sadly, she passed away in 1999 after years of struggling with both her health and finances.

Corey Haim

Corey Haim initially found fame with movies like ‘The Lost Boys,’ but work became scarce, and he struggled with significant medical bills and the cost of living. He filed for bankruptcy in the late 1990s and attempted to make money through direct-to-video films and appearances at fan conventions. Despite these efforts, ongoing tax problems and medical expenses continued to create financial hardship. He passed away in 2010 while still trying to rebuild his career and reportedly facing debt.

Margot Kidder

Despite her early fame as Lois Lane in ‘Superman,’ Margot Kidder experienced many years of financial hardship and significant medical bills. A public struggle with mental health in the 1990s led to a period of homelessness and costly treatment. While she worked to rebuild her career through smaller projects and public speaking, she never regained her previous level of income. Kidder passed away in 2018 after a lifetime of financial instability linked to her health.

Mickey Rooney

Mickey Rooney was a major movie star in films like ‘Babes in Arms’ and ‘National Velvet,’ but he lost much of his fortune due to divorces, poor investments, and handling his money badly. He declared bankruptcy several times and later spoke out about being financially taken advantage of and mistreated as an older person. Towards the end of his life, he took on smaller parts to pay his bills. When he passed away in 2014, he didn’t have much money left considering his successful, lengthy career.

Dorothy Dandridge

Dorothy Dandridge’s groundbreaking role in ‘Carmen Jones’ didn’t lead to consistent work, and she found herself limited by the types of roles offered to her. As acting opportunities decreased, she struggled with mounting debts from divorce, legal battles, and unpaid taxes. She tried to make ends meet by selling property and performing in nightclubs, but sadly, she passed away in 1965 still facing financial hardship.

Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle

Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle was a huge star in the early days of silent films, but his career was ruined by a scandal, even though he was found not guilty. The legal battles and lost film contracts cost him almost all of his money. He tried directing and even acted under a different name to earn a living, but he never fully recovered financially and passed away in 1933.

Jean Seberg

Watching her story unfold, it’s really sad to see how Jean Seberg’s incredible success in films like ‘Breathless’ didn’t lead to a consistently thriving career back home in the States. The late 60s were particularly tough – she was constantly under surveillance, and damaging stories in the press really hurt her opportunities. She bounced between Europe and the U.S., desperately trying to find work and some peace of mind, but solid, reliable income was always just out of reach. It’s heartbreaking to learn she passed away in 1979, nowhere near the financial security you’d expect for someone who was once such a bright star.

Peter Lorre

Though Peter Lorre became well-known early in his career with films like ‘M’ and ‘The Maltese Falcon,’ that success didn’t lead to consistent income. Being typecast restricted the roles he could take, and after the war, moves and health problems created further financial strain. He often accepted smaller, lower-paying roles and performed on stage when he could, just to make ends meet. He passed away in 1964 after years of fluctuating earnings and increasing debts.

Tell us in the comments who you think should be added to this list and why – let’s keep the discussion going!

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2025-11-12 12:52