There are many stories about folks who were fired before they became rich and famous. Naturally, their philosophy is ‘that was the best thing that ever happened’ . . . however, that isn’t always the case. Most of the folks in this gallery were already famous before getting the axe. A few have gone on to greater things, a few . . . not so much, a few are still trying to catch the fame train and some use their celebrity to do other things.
Famous Folks Who Got Fired From Their Jobs was originally published on blackamericaweb.com
1. Columbus Short
‘Scandal’ – Columbus Short was famously fired after several bouts with domestic violence with his estranged wife, erratic behavior in television and radio and bar fights that ultimately landed him behind bars.
2. Stacey Dash
‘Single Ladies’ – Stacey Dash was not asked back for the second season of ‘Single Ladies’ supposedly because she and co-star LisaRaye McCoy had a disagreement. However, McCoy has denied this rumor. Stacey was all set to star in the movie ‘Supremacy’ along side Danny Glover, Evan Ross and Joe Anderson. Producers reportedly grew tired of her rudeness and being disrespectful to cast and crew members, so they fired her. (Photo: PR Photos)
3. Lisa Bonet
‘A Different World’ – After the first season, Lisa Bonet became pregnant with her (then) husband, Lenny Kravitz. This did not go over well with the producers and she was written off the show. She later returned to ‘The Cosby Show’ (6th season) but later left due to creative differences. (Photo: PR Photos)
4. Isaiah Washington
‘Grey’s Anatomy’ – Isaiah Washington played Dr. Burke for three seasons. He made a gay slur directed towards a co-star. Although, he later apologized, ABC did not renew his contract. (Photo: PR Photos)
5. Star Jones
‘The View’ – Star Jones announced she would not be returning as co-host the next year and surprised everyone with the news. Barbara Walters assured her she could stay as long as she wanted. However, Walters finally did fire Jones after Star did an interview with several tabloids as well as People Magazine about getting fired. (Photo: PR Photos)
6. Terrence Howard
‘Iron Man 2′ – Terrence Howard was let go by Marvel Studios and replaced with Don Cheadle. According to sources, it was over money. Apparently, there was a contract in place, but Marvel decided to reconstruct it and give his character less scenes in the film as well as cut his salary in half. (Photo: PR Photos)
7. Holly Robinson-Peete
‘The Talk’ – Holly Robinson Peete and Leah Remini, two of the original co-hosts of the show, learned their contracts were not renewed for the second season and to this day, do not know why. (Photo: PR Photos)
8. Lamar Odom
‘The Lakers’ & ‘The Mavericks’ – Lamar Odom had a pretty spectacular career playing with the NBA. Although, most folks blame the Kardashian family for his problems on the court, word ’round town is it all started when the Lakers’ coach Phil Jackson left. Apparently, Jackson was like a father to Odom on and off the court. After Phil left, Odom was traded to Dallas and his performance was less than impressive. (Photo: PR Photos)
9. Paula Abdul
‘The X Factor’ – Judges Paula Abdul, Nicole Scherzinger and the host Steve Jones were all fired after the first season. Reportedly, show insiders called it a ‘bloodbath’ although, Steve Jones already knew he wouldn’t be back. Paula was apparently stunned by the news. (Photo: PR Photos)
10. Damon Wayans
‘Saturday Night Live’ – Damon Wayans who was a featured player during the the ’85-’86 season was fired by Lorne Michaels. Apparently, the sketch ‘Mr Monoply’ was about a cop and played by Wayans. Sometime between dress rehearsal and the live show, Damon decided the character needed to be a very flamboyant gay cop. Mr. Michaels was not amused. Damon came back 10 years later to host SNL. (Photo: PR Photos)
11. Mackenzie Phillips
‘One Day at a Time’ – Mackenzie Phillips developed a severe cocaine addiction and was often late or absent from work. During the 5th season she was given an option to quit or be fired . . . She quit. During the 7th season, she came back as a frequent guest star. However, she collapsed on the set and was fired for good during the 9th season. (Photo: PR Photos)
12. Charlie Sheen
‘Two and a Half Men’ – Charlie Sheen was eventually fired after a weeks-long media circus that had Sheen blaming everyone from Alcoholics Anonymous to the co-creator Chuck Lorre. After he was fired, Sheen said “Now I can take all of the bazillions, never have to look at whatshiscock again and I never have to put on those silly shirts for as long as this warlock exists.” (Photo: PR Photos)
13. Farrah Franklin
‘Destiny’s Child’ – LeToya Luckett & Latavia Roberson both left the group to find new management after increasing financial disputes and unhappiness with manager Mathew Knowles’ favoritism of his daughter and Rowland. Farrah Franklin was a member briefly and found out she was fired while watching a MTV News report. (Photo: Hello Beautiful)
14. Damon Dash
‘Roc-a-fella’ – Damon Dash said that when he runs into Jay-Z at an event, that there is no hostility and NO love. Some call it ‘the unraveling’ of Roc-a-fella. Some examples . . .Jay-Z was in Europe and found out Dash had fired a bunch of folks in the office. Also, reportedly, Dash would make changes or decisions without informing Jay-Z. Whatever the case, it just unraveled. (Photo: PR)
15. Antoine Fuqua
‘American Gangster’ – Director Antoine Fuqua and star Denzel Washington were meant to reunite with this film, however, Fuqua was fired four weeks before the principal photography begin. The usual reason was given . . . creative differences. (Photo: PR Photos)
16. Florence Ballard
The saddest firing of all time … Florence Ballard from the Supremes. Florence was a founding member of the group as well as the lead singer. Apparently, Berry Gordy made Diana Ross the lead and things went down hill after that. There were rumors that Florence was fired for her drinking, her weight gain and her inability to get along with Gordy. Whatever, it is still too sad. She passed away at age 32 from heart failure. (Photo: NewsOne)
