Money can’t buy happiness, but it sure can buy a lot of things that make life easier. However, for some Hollywood stars, the road to financial ruin is paved with lack of knowledge about investing and money management. Fame and fortune can often come quickly for Hollywood stars, but not everyone is equipped to handle the responsibilities that come with managing large sums of money.

Many celebrities may not have a background in finance and may rely on others to manage their money, which can leave them vulnerable to unscrupulous managers or bad investment decisions. Additionally, some celebrities may be tempted to live beyond their means or make extravagant purchases without considering the long-term impact on their finances.

In short, while there are many factors that can contribute to a celebrity’s financial downfall, a lack of knowledge about investing and money management can certainly play a role.

Let’s call multiple A-list stars who have experience from millionaire to debt.

#1 Johnny Depp

Johnny Depp: The Pirates of the Caribbean actor previously ranked among Hollywood’s highest-paid stars, taking home millions from each movie. Depp’s financial issues, however, allegedly started when he overspent on pricey acquisitions including a private island and a collection of expensive instruments. Former managers who accused him of mismanaging his money filed lawsuits against him as well. Depp sued his former business managers in 2017 on the grounds that they mismanaged his money and caused him to lose tens of millions of dollars. The dispute was ultimately resolved outside of court.

#2 Kim Basinger

After purchasing a Georgian town for $20 million, the Academy Award-winning actress later had to sell it for just $1 million due to financial difficulties. Non-stop at that, a production company sued Basinger after she backed out of a film deal, and she was found guilty and given an $8.1 million judgment.

#3 Wesley Snipes

The actor ran into legal and financial issues after receiving a prison term in 2010 for tax evasion. Snipes received a three-year prison sentence despite allegedly owing millions in unpaid taxes.

#4 Lena Headey

Lena Headey is not an exception,  the star best known for playing Cersei Lannister on Game of Thrones, has additionally experienced financial difficulties. Headey has been involved in a court dispute with her ex-husband about child support despite being paid $1 million each episode for the final season of the popular HBO series.
Headey has dealt with additional financial difficulties in addition to her legal conflict. She allegedly sold her Los Angeles residence in 2019 at a loss and has been involved in a number of real estate cases.

#5 Mike Tyson

The former heavyweight boxing champion reportedly made over $400 million but declared bankruptcy in 2003 due to financial difficulties. Tyson experienced a number of legal and emotional challenges, including a highly publicized divorce and a rape conviction, which had a detrimental effect on his financial situation.

#6 Pamela Anderson

Anderson, although being a great actress and model, apparently had trouble with spending too much money and paying her taxes.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued a lien against Anderson in 2009 for outstanding taxes that were allegedly over $1.7 million. The celebrity then admitted that she had neglected her finances and relied on others to manage her money.

She acknowledged spending millions on numerous goods, such as automobiles, jewelry, and holidays, in an interview with People magazine. Contractors who claim they were not compensated for work done on her residences have also sued her.

#7 Michael Jackson

Michael Jackson did face financial struggles, including a reported debt of $500 million. He had planned a series of comeback concerts to pay off his debts but 18 days before his big tour, the star passed away. The sale of his estate helped to cover his debts, but his financial management had been a source of concern for many years.

#8 Nicolas Cage

The Oscar-winning actor has had a rollercoaster ride with his finances, going from being one of the highest-paid actors in Hollywood to being in debt. Cage allegedly overspent on properties, cars, and collectibles, including a dinosaur skull that he had to return to the Mongolian government. He has also faced lawsuits from his former financial manager, accusing him of mismanaging his finances.

#9 Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan, once a promising young actress, has faced financial challenges after a series of personal and legal troubles. In 2012, Lohan’s bank accounts suggested she owed over $230,000. As a result, she faced lawsuits from several individuals and companies, including a tanning company and a fashion label, who claimed she had not fulfilled her contractual obligations.

#10 MC Hammer

At the height of his success, Hammer was estimated to be worth over $30 million, but his lavish spending and investments in failed business ventures quickly depleted his fortune. He not only famously lived an extravagant lifestyle, including a mansion with a staff of over 200 people and a fleet of luxury cars but spent millions on his entourage, including their travel and accommodations.

Taking a lot of unwise moves, including launching his record label and trying to break into the tech industry led him ultimately to be unsuccessful and cost millions of dollars.

#11 Stephen Baldwin

The eldest of the well-known Baldwin brothers experienced financial difficulties after making significant investments in Sundance at Blairstone, an exclusive resort community in Idaho. Investors who thought he had deceived them about the project’s potential also sued him.
Baldwin ultimately declared bankruptcy in 2009, reporting a debt of more than $2 million. He has since been able to partially recover his career, but his experience should serve as a lesson on the value of prudent money management and staying away from dangerous investments.

#12 50 Cent

Thanks to the commercial success of his debut album “Get Rich or Die Tryin’,” 50 Cent reached the height of his fame in the early to mid-2000s.

However, a string of legal disputes, litigation, lavish purchases of vehicles, residences, and unsuccessful business ventures caused financial difficulties that ultimately led to his filing for bankruptcy in 2015. Fortunately, he has since been able to rebuild his financial situation mainly because of lucrative business transactions and his continuous music career.