A fact that emerged while researching this list is that Hollywood riches to rags (star to homeless) stories are few and far between compared with rags to riches (homeless to star) stories.
In fact, the observation that several Hollywood stars became homeless after they had made their millions is remarkable because it is very difficult to become poor after one has risen above a certain threshold of wealth accumulation. However, the few documented riches to rags cases (star to homeless) become less surprising after one learns that most cases involved individuals who struggled for many years with addiction issues, and a few with mental health issues.
The other side of the coin are the plethora of Hollywood rags to riches (homeless to star) stories. However, the abundance of rags to riches stories is not surprising because Hollywood epitomizes — probably better than any other industry in the U.S — the American Dream ideal which suggests that anyone can make it with hard work, perseverance and talent.
Although our options while compiling the list of riches to rags (star to homeless) cases were limited, the plethora of Hollywood rags to riches (homeless to star) stories meant that we were able to choose some of the best known names in the industry.
Here are 20 Stars Who Became Homeless (And 10 Homeless People Who Became Stars)
20. STAR TO HOMELESS: AMANDA BYNES
Amanda Bynes came to prominence as a child star in the 2000s on Nickelodeon’s comedy sketch, The Amanda Show(1999-2002), and later on The WB sitcom, What I Like About You (2002-2006). She also appeared in several movies, such as What a Girl Wants (2003) and Hairspray (2007).
Bynes was arrested for DUI in 2012 and later in Ventura County in 2013 for allegedly starting a fire on a private driveway. She was placed on psychiatric hold and her parents filed for conservatorship. After she was released from psychiatric hold, she was spotted in November 2014 sleeping on a sofa at The Beverly Center and later wandering. She accused her parents of refusing to provide her with shelter, but TMZ reported that her parents had wanted her to stay away from WeHo. They obtained a place for her in Glendale, but she refused to stay there.
19. HOMELESS TO STAR: JAMES CAMERON
Before he sold the rights to his screenplay for the movie The Terminator, James Cameron was in such a tight financial situation that he was forced to live out of his car. However, he was convinced that his screenplay could become a successful movie. He insisted on directing the screenplay himself, despite the fact that the production companies he pitched the movie to thought he did not have the experience to direct it.
Cameron continued to search until he found Gale Anne Hurd, who bought the rights to the screenplay for $1 and agreed to let him direct the movie himself. The pre-production and casting of the movie started in 1983. His first choice for the role of The Terminator was Lance Henriksen until Arnold Schwarzenegger auditioned for the role.
(Excerpt) Read More at: ScreenRant.com