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![Alec Baldwin - Good]()
In 2007, Alec Baldwin called his daughter a ‘rude little pig’ and threatened to ‘straighten her out’ –saying he didn’t care that she was just a child. For a moment, it appeared that the "30 Rock" star's career could be over. After the voicemail went public, Baldwin publicly apologized for losing his temper. He temporarily lost visitation rights with Ireland before they were successfully restored. After appearing on ‘The View’ he turned the tables on his ex wife Kim Basinger, insinuating that his anger was at her and not their daughter. Despite the harsh comments, Baldwin's apology seemed genuine and all is now well between father and daughter.![Ashlee Simpson - Bad]()
It's one thing to be known as the less-famous sibling of one of Tinseltown's biggest stars. It's another to be a celebrity sibling who seems to be lacking in the talent department. In one of Saturday Night Live’s more memorable stints, the ‘other’ Simpson was 'singing' her song ‘Autobiography’ when the song ‘Pieces of Me’ was heard … before she had even started to sing. She started to do a silly jig-dance of sorts and was laughed about all around for … well, forever. Instead of owning up to the mistake, she blamed the incident on her band ‘playing the wrong song.’ Later, she said she was suffering from ‘severe’ acid reflux disease and was going to sing along with the recorded song to help complement her voice. She later went on to be known for her numerous plastic surgeries, red hair and marriage to Pete Wentz. Her musical career was left behind with her old nose.![Mel Gibson - Good]()
In one of Hollywood's most infamous rants, Mel Gibson said “the Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world” after he was pulled over for drunk driving. Usually type-casted in Hollywood as the hero or nice-guy, Gibson had to go into major PR overdrive, addressing Jewish groups directly in an attempt to rectify the situation. Gibson told the groups he was not an anti-Semite, and that ‘hatred of any kind goes against my faith.’ He later apologized for drunk driving, saying it was ‘despicable’ to drive under the influence. A Fox News poll reported that nearly half of Americans have a favorable opinion of the Hollywood star, and most say the incident will not make a difference when they’re deciding whether to go see his movies.![Isaiah Washington - Bad]()
Isaiah Washington, Dr. Burke on ‘Grey’s Anatomy,’ tried to do a PR makeover when he was under fire for making an anti-gay comment toward the more well-liked co-star T.R. Knight. He first apologized publicly – and then denied using the epithet at the Golden Globes by repeating it again. After receiving a backlash from the public, Washington went into PR overdrive by issuing a public apology, meeting with gay-rights activists and even enrolling in rehab ‘to make sure it never happens again.’ However, it may have been a case of too many apologies, because the show didn’t have it. He was axed from "Grey’s Anatomy" and reportedly couldn’t pay the bills a year later, owing nearly $100,000 in back rent. And, he’s starring in … well, nothing other then old "Grey’s Anatomy" DVDs.![Chris Brown - Bad]()
In early 2009, Chris Brown’s career was sky-rocketing as he earned recognition for his music, acting abilities and dancing. It didn't hurt that his girlfriend Rihanna was also one of the hottest tickets in showbiz. But Brown's star came crashing down following a feud in a car that resulted in a visibly battered and bruised Rihanna. Weeks after the incident, Brown released a statement saying, "Words cannot begin to express how sorry and saddened I am over what transpired.” The vague apology preceded a guilty plea to felony assault, five years probation, counseling and a five-year restraining order. He later appeared in People Magazine, smiling and hugging his mother, Joyce Hawkins. Brown told People that he felt he ‘let his mom down,’ while his mom said it was ‘the most painful moment’ to hear what he did to Rihanna. The apologies and apparent PR stunt seemed forced -- and many fans have yet to embrace Brown again.![Tom Cruise - Good]()
Tom Cruise found himself in a sticky situation after attacking Brooke Shields on ‘Access Hollywood’ for using medication to help with her post-partum depression, saying the actress should have turned to vitamins instead. During the infamous interview, Cruise said that Shields was an ‘incredibly talented woman’ but indicated that her career had stalled. He went on to chastise the drugs and say that there’s no science behind emotional and chemical imbalances in people. After receiving a harsh backlash from both Shields and fans alike, he reportedly went to the actresses’ house and apologized. Shields seemed to accept his apology and the two are now good friends (at least in front of the cameras where it counts).![Hugh Grant - Good]()
In 1995, Hollywood’s up-and-coming ‘nice guy’ suffered what many assumed would be his Tinseltown demise when he was arrested for having sex with a prostitute. On what would become one of Jay Leno’s most memorable shows, Grant fessed up to the charges and said on live TV, “I think you know in life what's a good thing to do and what's a bad thing, and I did a bad thing. And there you have it.” The public embraced the British heartthrob and all seems to be forgiven. Indeed, Grant went on to star in Blockbusters such as "Bridget Jones Diary," "Sense and Sensibility" and "Notting Hill" and hasn’t had a (public) run-in with the law since.![David Letterman- Good]()
Late-night comedian David Letterman is hardly a stranger to angering guests and viewers, but a true scandal developed when he took to his "Late Show" to confess to having sex with female employees and apologize to those he’s affected. Letterman first told the world how he was blackmailed by a CBS producer who threatened to leak his past affairs with members of his staff. But nearly a week later, he took to the stage again to apologize to his wife, saying '[I've] got my work cut out for me.’ It seems he’s trying to fix issues that he could have just written off as ancient history. But, America seems to buy his apology – and the scandal may just prove to be the ultimate ratings boost.![Michael Richards - Bad]()
Everyone’s favorite character on "Seinfeld" proved to be less-than-funny when he went off on a racist rant at a comedy club in 2006. On-stage, Richards shouted racial epithets at an audience member and said "Fifty years ago they'd have you hanging upside down with a [expletive] fork up your [expletive].") After receiving a severe public backlash, Richards went on Letterman’s show to apologize, saying he lost his temper and said he was very sorry. Whether he was sorry or not, the actor hasn’t had much luck in post-"Seinfeld" life … and it seems his comments just won’t fade into the sunset.Celebrity Apologies: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
Some celeb apologies get them in even more trouble, others are just right...
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- Celebrity Apologies: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
