17 Actors who had to make a public apology

Together California Breaks Ground On New Foster Care Center With Co-Founder Christian Bale - Source: Getty
Together California Breaks Ground On New Foster Care Center With Co-Founder Christian Bale - Source: Getty

In the entertainment industry, actors are often held to high standards and put on a pedestal. However, even the best-loved actor can fall from grace through a series of actions and statements that become topics of controversy. In such instances, a public apology seems to be a way for them to address the backlash and make amends. This list explores 17 actors who had to publicly apologize for various reasons, ranging from offensive remarks to inappropriate behavior, offering a glimpse into the challenges actors face when trying to navigate the court of public opinion.

17) Chase Stokes

Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - January 23, 2025 - Source: Getty
Celebrities Visit SiriusXM - January 23, 2025 - Source: Getty

The Outer Banks actor Chase Stokes, found himself in hot water when some of his old social media tweets resurfaced in 2020. The Facebook posts and tweets contained derogatory and homophobic language. In a now-deleted tweet, the actor addressed the issue and offered a public apology, expressing regret for his past actions. He also claimed his account had been hacked, but still expressed regret for the hurtful content.

16) Anne Hathaway

"The Apprentice" New York Premiere - Source: Getty
"The Apprentice" New York Premiere - Source: Getty

Anne Hathaway apologized for her role in The Witcher after criticism from the disability community. In the film, her character, the Grand High Witch, had three-fingered hands, resembling a real-life congenital condition called ectrodactyly. Her Portrayal received backlash from many as it showed limb differences in a villainous context, contributing to a harmful stereotype and implying that physical differences are associated with negative traits. The actor has since apologized for her character in the film and expressed regret for not knowing the impact of it.

15) Eliot Page

2024 New York #LWTSUMMIT - September 19 - Source: Getty
2024 New York #LWTSUMMIT - September 19 - Source: Getty

In 2017, actor Eliot Page publicly apologized through a Facebook post for working with director Woody Allen in his movie To Rome with Love, which also stars Jesse Eisenberg and many other known faces of Hollywood. Page regretted working with Allen after allegations of sexual assault against him came to light. The Umbrella Academy star confessed to being pressured to take the project and admitted that he hadn't found his voice back then and felt ashamed of his choice.

14) Evangeline Lilly

UK Gala Screening Of "Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania" At BFI IMAX - Source: Getty
UK Gala Screening Of "Ant-Man And The Wasp: Quantumania" At BFI IMAX - Source: Getty

The Ant-Man star Evangeline Lilly is on this list of actors because of her insensitive comments during the COVID-19 comments. The actress initially did not follow the rules such as social distancing and downplayed the severity of the virus. She faced a lot of backlash and had to issue a public apology. Through an Instagram post, the actress apologized for her remarks and promised to do better and follow the rules of the pandemic.

13) Jimmy Fallon

iHeartRadio z100's Jingle Ball 2024 Presented By Capital One - Arrivals - Source: Getty
iHeartRadio z100's Jingle Ball 2024 Presented By Capital One - Arrivals - Source: Getty

The late-night show host and actor Jimmy Fallon had to issue a public apology due to reports claiming that he made the work environment toxic. In 2023, it was reported that Fallon's behavior on the show was erratic, and there were complaints regarding his leadership. Fallon later spoke in a Zoom meeting with his staff, expressing that he felt ashamed and apologized profusely for whatever damage he may have caused.

12) Mila Kunis And Ashton Kutcher

9th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony - Arrivals - Source: Getty
9th Annual Breakthrough Prize Ceremony - Arrivals - Source: Getty

The Hollywood A-list actors Mila Kunis and Ashton Kutcher had to issue a public apology for supporting Danny Masterson, their co-star from That 70's Show when he was convicted of rape charges. The apology came in 2023 after the support letters they had sent to the judge of Masterson's case were made public. The couple received massive backlash for supporting a convicted rapist and had to apologize through an Instagram video.

11) Venessa Hudgens

Premiere Of Summit Entertainment's "Bandslam" - Arrivals - Source: Getty
Premiere Of Summit Entertainment's "Bandslam" - Arrivals - Source: Getty

Vanessa Hudgens fits this list of actors as she had to apologize for her outlandish comments regarding the COVID-19 pandemic. In March 2020, she made some comments in an Instagram Live session that downplayed the seriousness of the virus, and many people took offense, which caused her to receive a huge backlash for it. Vanessa later issued a public apology on social media, admitting her words were inappropriate and expressing regret for any hurt caused.

10) Kristen Stewart

Celebrity Sightings In New York City - March 13, 2024 - Source: Getty
Celebrity Sightings In New York City - March 13, 2024 - Source: Getty

Kristen Stewart fits the list of actors due to her public apology for cheating on her then-boyfriend, Robert Pattinson, with the director of Snow White and the Huntsman, Rupert Sanders. In 2012, pictures of Kristen and the director of her film, Rupert Sanders, appeared on the internet, causing backlash for both parties. The Twilight actress admitted to the affair and apologized publicly for her actions, admitting that it had ruined one of the most important relationships in her life.

9) Michael B Jordan

Los Angeles Premiere Of Amazon MGM Studios' "The Fire Inside" - Source: Getty
Los Angeles Premiere Of Amazon MGM Studios' "The Fire Inside" - Source: Getty

Michael B. Jordan fits the list due to his public apology for naming his new rum brand J'Ouvert. He was accused of cultural appropriation as the term J'Ouvert comes from the Caribbean lands of Trinidad and Tobago. J'Ouvert is the name of their carnival festival, and the Blank Panther actor used it without having any ties with the land. Following a huge backlash, Jordan apologized for his actions and promised to rename his brand.

8) Paul Newman

Paul Newman | Image via Getty
Paul Newman | Image via Getty

The veteran actor, Paul Newman, made a public apology not because of some controversy but due to starring in a bad movie. His debut film, The Silver Chalice, came out in 1954. However, Newman felt his acting was not up to the mark. He was so embarrassed that he apologized for his performance and printed out ads in Hollywood trade papers in 1963, requesting people not to watch the film. Ironically, his apology made more people curious, and the movie became popular when it was broadcast.

7) Hank Azaria

"The Simpsons" - New York Comic Con - Source: Getty
"The Simpsons" - New York Comic Con - Source: Getty

The actor and comedian Hank Azaria, known for voicing the character of Apu in The Simpsons, had to issue a public apology for the same role. In 2017, Comedian Hari Kondabalu released a documentary named The Problem With Apu, which highlighted the harmful stereotypical effects it caused on the Indian community. Azaria stepped down from the role in 2020 and apologized to the Indian people for his part in creating and continuing the stereotype for thirty years.

6) Arnold Schwarzenegger

Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup - Men's Downhill - Source: Getty
Audi FIS Alpine Ski World Cup - Men's Downhill - Source: Getty

The Terminator actor, Arnold Schwarzenegger, has been linked to many controversies. In 2011, he publicly acknowledged and apologized for having an extramarital affair with his housekeeper, Mildred Baena, which ended his 25 years of marriage with his wife, Maria Shriver. In another incident in 2021, Schwarzenegger used inappropriate language against people who refused to wear masks during an interview, which didn't sit right with many people, and he had to make a public apology while agreeing that he should have explained his thoughts better and that his choice of words was wrong.

5) Kevin Hart

"Straight From The Hart Live" With Kevin Hart At SiriusXM Studios In Miami - Source: Getty
"Straight From The Hart Live" With Kevin Hart At SiriusXM Studios In Miami - Source: Getty

Actor and comedian Kevin Hart had to make a public apology for his old tweets concerning the LGBTQIA+ community. In 2018, as he was announced to host the Academy Awards ceremony, his old tweets where he used inappropriate language against the community resurfaced. Amidst the social media backlash, Hart stepped down from hosting the Oscars. He also issued a public apology for his language and promised to do better in the future.

4) Terry Crews

NFL Pro Bowl Games: Skills Showdown - Source: Getty
NFL Pro Bowl Games: Skills Showdown - Source: Getty

The Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor, Terry Crews, is another actor who had to make public apologies more than once. In 2020, he apologized to one of the judges on the reality show America's Got Talent, Gabrielle Union, when she called him out for not supporting her when she shared her negative experience on the show. Another instance is when Crews appeared in comedian Trevor Noah's podcast in 2022. He issued a public apology for his insensitive comments about Black Lives Matter he made back in 2020.

3) Reese Witherspoon

"You're Cordially Invited" New York Screening - Source: Getty
"You're Cordially Invited" New York Screening - Source: Getty

The Big Little Lies star, Reese Witherspoon, is one of the shocking entries in this list of actors. In 2013, the Legally Blonde actor was arrested for disorderly conduct. Witherspoon issued a public apology for getting into a heated argument with a police officer in a traffic stop when her husband, Jim Toth, was being questioned for driving under the influence. She later apologized for her drunk behavior and for yelling and being disrespectful towards an officer on duty.

2) Will Smith

Opening Ceremony - The Red Sea International Film Festival 2024 - Source: Getty
Opening Ceremony - The Red Sea International Film Festival 2024 - Source: Getty

The Oscar-winning actor, Will Smith, made a public apology back in 2022 for his behavior during the Academy Award ceremony. During the ceremony, as comedian Chris Rock came to present the award for Best Documentary Feature, he made some insensitive jokes about the Men In Black star's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith's alopecia, which resulted in the start approaching the stage and slapping Rock. The action received backlash, and Smith issued a public apology for his action.

1) Christian Bale

Together California Breaks Ground On New Foster Care Center With Co-Founder Christian Bale - Source: Getty
Together California Breaks Ground On New Foster Care Center With Co-Founder Christian Bale - Source: Getty

Actor Christiane Bale made a public apology when a recording of his rant on the set of Terminator Salvation went viral on social media. In 2009, the American Psycho actor called a local Los Angeles radio station called KROQ- -FM and issued a public apology for his outburst on the movie's cinematographer, Shane Hurlbut. Known for his method acting, Bale was reportedly interrupted by Hurlbut, which caused him to use inappropriate language against Hurlbut.

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Edited by Debanjana
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