Celebrities, everyone knows, are different; stars even have their own planet (Hollywood), which also serves as a tourist attraction. These celestial beings, clearly, are a law unto themselves - well, at least Russell Crowe thinks so. The Oscar winner recently came forth on CNN.com and said that his conviction for third-degree assault last year (for allegedly throwing a phone at a hotel clerk) would have been resolved with a handshake and an apology where he's from. In fact, Crowe said, his temper is something of a necessary evil. With that in mind, we present Hollywood's favorite necessary evil-doers.
10) Jack White - In Dec. 2003, the well-known two-tone rocker allegedly pummeled another musician outside of a Detroit nightclub. You can take the kid out of Detroit, and you can even turn him into an international rock star, acclaimed artist and engaging public figure, but apparently, when in Detroit, do as the Romans do. Or something along those lines.
9) Steve-O - This "Jackass" star ran into some trouble with the law for public exposure when he released his famous "Butterfly" (an act wherein he staples his scrotum to his leg) in Aug. 2002. The next year, he had a bit of a falling out with the country of Sweden for allegedly smuggling in five grams of marijuana and one ecstasy tablet in a condom. That same year, he was arrested for urinating in public on the Lollapalooza tour. Most recently, the wayward stuntman catalyzed an internal investigation at the LAPD when he was caught on tape exiting a nightclub with a bag of marijuana unimpeded by on-looking police officers. Hopefully, the man less commonly known as Steven Glover will find a way to reconcile the polarities of his two identities.
8) Haley Joel Osment - The last thing the world needs right now is a spin-off of "Breaking Bonaduce," but Osment seems to be on track to give VH1 just what they want. The child star - actually, child Oscar nominee (for 1999's "The Sixth Sense") - was arrested last July and charged for drunk driving and marijuana possession. Keep this up, Haley, and by the time you're 20 we could be watching "Healing Haley" right after "I Love the '80s: Part 6."
7) Mel Gibson - Gibson's recent highway hijinks dominated the headlines this summer, but to be fair, his anti-Semitic comments indicate he thought he was auditioning for a part in the "Borat" movie.
6) Matthew McConaughey - In what must have been one of the more entertaining arrests in Austin, Tex. police history, McConaughey was arrested in Oct. 1999; police came to his house to investigate a noise violation and found the actor dancing around naked playing bongo drums. Though his charges for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia were dropped, McConaughey, ever the model citizen, paid his $50 fine for violating the city noise ordinance. We're not even mad at you for getting away with it; that's just funny.
5) Kate Moss - For a while, it actually sucked to be Kate Moss. But it was a very short while. In 2005, the iconic supermodel was photographed snorting cocaine at her then-boyfriend Pete Doherty's recording studio. A media frenzy ensued and the public shouted, "No! Not the wholesome, healthy Kate Moss we know and love!" Moss lost several major modeling contracts, and we all cried for her. Ever resilient, today she makes more money than pre-coke scandal, proving that if you're gorgeous and weigh less than a small child, you can do whatever you damn well please.
4) Winona Ryder - After being arrested on charges of shoplifting in Saks Fifth Avenue, Ryder was sentenced to three years of probation and 480 years of community service, because, let's face it, you can't throw one of the "Little Women" (1994) behind bars. It turns out, being a klepto is hard, especially when you're filling out the "Prior Convictions" section on that job application.
3) Macaulay Caulkin - After being so skilled at dumbfounding a couple of crooks as a snot-nosed 10-year-old, it's not so surprising that Caulkin would be able to squeak by on $4,000 bail and a brief jail stay when he was arrested by Oklahoma police in Sept. 2004. But, if, as everyone assumes, you were molested by Michael Jackson, trucking along with marijuana is probably the least of your problems.
2) Naomi Campbell - Just last month, the formidable supermodel was arrested (again) for alleged assault. Breaking her trend, she left her phone on the hook and presumably relied on her own brawn to exercise her temper on another hapless bystander. (Actually, the "bystander" was her drug counselor, but we don't even want to get into that.) Maybe Naomi leaves bruises to make sure she's always the prettiest model around?
1) Yanni - Apparently, purveyors of New Age Zen can also be old-fashioned wife beaters. Yanni allegedly called his girlfriend "garbage" (among other things). That's funny, that's exactly what we call his music! Though the charges were later dropped, Yanni proves that even with his long wavy locks and his synthesizer with an inferiority complex, you don't have to be a hard-livin' rocker to a engage in a friendly bout of domestic violence.
- Daily Arts Staff
