Actors playing the Heel after real life controversy

[Deleted]

We seen it in pro-wrestling, and Hollywood is no stranger to controversy. We have seen heel turns in wrestling as a result of the backlash a wrestler gets from social media or the crowd.

Has anyone, especially ones that played wholesome characters in the past, in the movie industry have their careers shifted following a controversy?

Closet in my mind right is Mel Gibson, as he played the bad guy in Expendables 3 just years after controversy after controversy.

[Mozenrath]

Lindsay Lohan's roles certainly changed in complexion over time due to that kind of thing. Not necessarily heelish, but no longer squeaky clean.

I guess it wasn't a controversy, but before he started getting more heroic roles, Jason Momoa got a number of parts playing wild, "dangerous" men after he got his eyebrow scar. Before that, he was used as more of a pretty boy.

[Fade]

Not 100% sure, but it seemed RDJ started applying a “anything could happen” vibe to his parts amidst and after all the real life hurdles. Not like, a bad guy, but loose cannon sort of.

[Deleted]

Charlie Sheen could be another one. In the 80s and early 90s, he was almost like Tom Cruise, but feel into trouble. Fast forward 10-15 years, here he is playing a Philanderer as a main character throughout his series.

[Sephiroth]

Marlon Brando went from Hollywood hot topic to the person no one wanted around.