In 1921, Roscoe “Fatty” Arbuckle was the toast of Hollywood, riding high after signing a lucrative studio deal. But a wild weekend party at San Francisco’s St. Francis Hotel turned deadly when young actress Virginia Rappe fled in distress, later dying from peritonitis. Arbuckle was charged with manslaughter, facing three sensational trials. Despite his eventual acquittal, his career was destroyed, blacklisted by Hollywood, and he died a broken man at 46. His fall marked one of the first major Hollywood morality scandals.

In 1938, Leni Riefenstahl, Hitler’s favored filmmaker, attempted to enter Hollywood with her Nazi propaganda film “Olympia.” The industry’s anti-Nazi League fiercely opposed her presence, urging Hollywood to shut its doors to Nazi agents. Despite widespread rejection, some, like gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, attended her screenings, revealing the complex political tensions within Hollywood before World War II.

Rock and roll’s rebellious image was rocked in 1957 when Jerry Lee Lewis shocked the world by marrying his 13-year-old cousin, Myra Gail Brown, while still married to another woman. The scandal led to canceled tours and blacklisting, but Lewis eventually staged a comeback, illustrating the clash between cultural norms and personal choices in mid-century America.

Joan Crawford’s daughter Christina shattered Hollywood’s pristine facade in 1978 with “Mommy Dearest,” exposing Crawford’s alleged abusive parenting. The memoir ignited a media frenzy, dividing opinions but opening the floodgates for celebrity tell-alls, forever changing how stars’ private lives were publicly scrutinized.

Woody Allen’s controversial relationship with Soon-Yi Previn, his girlfriend’s adopted daughter 35 years his junior, erupted in scandal in 1991. Despite public outrage, Allen and Previn married in 1997, challenging societal norms and Hollywood’s tolerance for scandal.

The tragic 1926 death of Rudolph Valentino, the silent film era’s ultimate lover, was surrounded by rumors of a cursed ring and dramatic mourning by his lover Pola Negri, who fainted repeatedly at his funeral. Valentino’s death left a lasting imprint on Hollywood’s lore.

Marilyn Monroe’s rumored affairs with President John F. Kennedy and his brother Robert fueled decades of speculation. Her iconic “Happy Birthday” performance for JFK in 1962 intensified the intrigue surrounding her untimely death and complex personal life.

George Reeves, the original Superman, died under mysterious circumstances in 1959. Officially ruled a suicide, many close to him suspected foul play linked to his complicated personal relationships and career frustrations, leaving his death an enduring Hollywood mystery.

The love triangle between Debbie Reynolds, Eddie Fisher, and Elizabeth Taylor captivated the ’50s and ’60s. Fisher’s betrayal of Reynolds for Taylor shocked fans but eventually led to an unlikely friendship between the two women, highlighting the messy reality behind celebrity romances.

Mae West, under the pseudonym Jane Mast, faced obscenity charges in the 1920s for her provocative plays. Her defiance against censorship turned her into a national sensation, proving scandal could fuel fame rather than destroy it.

Charlie Chaplin’s exile from the U.S. in 1952 amid accusations of anti-Americanism and communist sympathies marked a dark chapter in Hollywood’s McCarthy-era witch hunts. Despite decades in America, Chaplin spent his final years in Switzerland, returning only decades later to receive an honorary Oscar.

The notorious “House of Francis” brothel at 8439 Sunset Boulevard, run by Madam Lee Francis, catered to Hollywood’s elite, protected by police payoffs. Stars like Jean Harlow frequented the establishment, revealing a hidden side of Tinseltown’s glittering surface.

Natalie Wood’s mysterious drowning in 1981 sparked decades of speculation. Conflicting accounts and renewed investigations in 2011 raised questions about foul play, with suspicions surrounding her husband Robert Wagner and co-star Christopher Walken.

Clark Gable’s secret love child with Loretta Young during the filming of “Call of the Wild” was hidden for years. Young gave birth in secret and adopted her own daughter to protect their reputations, highlighting the era’s intense pressure to maintain public images.

Gangster-turned-actor George Raft’s criminal past haunted his Hollywood career. Known for clashes with co-stars and connections to mob figures, Raft’s dual life blurred the lines between crime and cinema.

Jackie Coogan’s childhood fortune was squandered by his parents, prompting the enactment of the “Coogan Act” to protect child actors’ earnings. His story is a cautionary tale about the exploitation lurking behind child stardom.

Jean Harlow’s forced marriage to protect her image and her tragic early death at 26 exposed the ruthless studio control over stars’ personal lives and the high cost of fame.

William Randolph Hearst’s mysterious yacht incident involving producer Thomas In added a layer of intrigue and suspicion, with rumors of accidental shooting and cover-ups swirling around the powerful media tycoon.

Alfred Hitchcock’s obsession with his leading ladies, especially Tippi Hedren, included controlling behavior and alleged harassment, casting a shadow over his celebrated film legacy.

John Lennon’s 1966 remark that the Beatles were “more popular than Jesus” ignited outrage across America, sparking record burnings and boycotts, illustrating the volatile intersection of celebrity and religion.