Starting from 1996 and nose diving into 2001, Robert Downey Jr. was apprehended multiple times for substance abuse and underwent numerous rehab programs that had little effect on his addiction. Downey revealed that his misuse of illegal substances started when he was just eight years old, thanks to his father who had the same addictive tendencies and even encouraged the actor to use as a young boy. Nonetheless, Robert Downey Jr. was and still is a great actor, even winning a Golden Globe award for his part in Ally McBeal.
The producers of the show had his back, even when he got caught using illegal substances because they believed in him and his acting prowess. After he was busted again though, the producers decided to move on from Downey Jr. and were forced to cut his character from the show. Robert Downey Jr. shared that the humiliation of getting arrested that time around was pivotal became it came with a moment of realization that ultimately obligated him to get serious with his rehab. As we all know, the actor made a huge comeback, best highlighted, perhaps, by his role in Iron Man, in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Drake, Degrassi: The Next Generation
Determined to start his career as an actor, even at the very young age of 15, Aubrey Drake Graham (or Drake as he is famously known around the world), was introduced to an agent who happened to be the father of a high school friend. His friend’s father got Drake a role in a Canadian teen drama series, Degrassi: The Next Generation, where he played Jimmy Brooks, a basketball prodigy who ended up becoming crippled after he was shot by a classmate.
The producers of the show, however, found out that Drake was juggling his time between acting and music – often spending long hours at night recording. Upon their discovery, they insisted Drake choose between his acting and music career. The actor chose the latter and so he got fired. In the end, it appears that he made the right choice though, as Drake is currently a celebrated music artist and producer, and a Grammy winner who has broken an array of Billboard records.
Hunter Tylo, All My Children and Melrose Place
In 1984, depicting the character Deborah Morehart, Hunter Tylo was chosen as one of the casts of the sorority slasher film, The Initiation, alongside soon to be Melrose Place actress, Daphne Zuniga. The American actress, author, and former model became quite popular following her regular appearances in US daytime soap operas. Tylo’s first TV debut was on the show All My Children, in 1985. She is widely acclaimed for her portrayal of Taylor Hayes on The Bold and the Beautiful, starting from 1990 to 2018.
After it was discovered that Hunter Tylo was dating one of her co-stars, Michael Tylo, in All My Children, the actress was immediately laid off from the soap. She married Michael Tylo later on in her life. Tylo was then dismissed from Melrose Place without filming a single scene after the production crew found out she was with child. She filed a legal suit against them, won the case, and was awarded millions of dollars. Her most recent appearance is on the scripted reality series, Queens of Drama.
Valerie Harper, Valerie
Valerie Harper started her career during the 70s, in the television series, The Mary Tyler Moore Show, portraying the character, Rhoda Morgenstern. Eventually, she landed a prominent role in the show, Valerie, playing the title role of Valerie Hogan. For the most part, she enjoyed a fruitful career, winning the Primetime Emmy award four times and being nominated numerous times for Golden Globe awards. Although the popular sitcom, Valerie, was named after Valerie Harper herself, the producers still kicked her out of the show before the third season because of an ugly salary disagreement.
The main character, Valerie, unexpectedly died on the show and the show’s title was changed to The Hogan Family, with Sandy Duncan replacing Harper as the star. Later on in her life, Valerie Harper came down with lung cancer which made its way into her brain in 2009. The doctors told Valerie that she had less than a year to live, but the American actress was able to respond well to treatment. Today, she continues to live and do the impossible in her battle against cancer.
Columbus Short, Scandal
Columbus Keith Short, Jr. is known for choreographing Britney Spears' Onyx Hotel Tour and partnering with Brian Friedman of So You Think You Can Dance. He became famous for his performance in the films Stomp the Yard, Cadillac Records, Armored, and The Losers. The American actor also starred as Harrison Wright in the ABC drama series, Scandal.
In an act of life imitating art, Columbus was fired from Scandal following a scandal of his own. He allegedly threatened his wife with a knife to her throat, prompting her to place a restraining order against him. Will the famed but shamed celebrity make a bounce back to our TV screens? There’s a chance he will, but Columbus will need to fix his domestic affairs and marriage first.