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6 Actors Who Were Fired From Stable Paying Gigs

Hollywood executives sometimes take cues from the public's shifting opinions of celebrities. An actor's popularity with moviegoers can be predicted based on how the public sees her; if she is dubbed "America's Sweetheart," she will undoubtedly be successful at the box office. Therefore, it would be quite attractive to the Hollywood executives making the hiring decisions. However, a celebrity's public image can quickly deteriorate if they make a blunder that offends the public. This could result in the loss of a high-paying job.
Great acting parts are scarce in the Entertainment industry, as is evidenced by the annual ubiquity of award ceremonies. When one actor is passed over for a part, another is always ready to take their place. It's therefore puzzling that a famous person would risk their career in this way.
Not only in the entertainment sector but in many other fields, job security is extremely important. Many individuals would kill to earn the kind of money that Hollywood stars do. Check out our list of seven celebrities dismissed from secure paying gigs. Remember that a celebrity's off-screen persona can lead them to problems, whether playing a role on-screen or just sitting back collecting royalties.

1. Alec Baldwin

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Alec Baldwin's 30 Rock success led to his MSNBC show, Up Late With Alec Baldwin. A street scuffle sparked a windfall of bad press. Baldwin was suspended for using a homophobic slur on a paparazzi photographer but was set to return to work. During the suspension, LGBT criticism grew, and Baldwin and the network canceled the show.

2. Andrew Garfield

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Andrew Garfield's Spider-Man was darker than Tobey Maguire's. Andrew's fame rose when he began dating co-star Emma Stone. Sony president Kaz Hirai was throwing a Sony gala in Rio de Janeiro to announce Garfield's return as Spider-Man. Not attending the gala cost Garfield his role in the third picture.

3. Neal McDonough

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TV stars often get to film sex scenes with stunning starlets. Neal McDonough disagreed. His character on Desperate Housewives was killed because he allegedly refused sex scenes with Nicolette Sheridan. Scoundrels offered him $1 million for a new job, but he declined to do sex scenes with Virginia Madsen. Three days into filming, he was fired. Many say Neal McDonough's religious Catholicism and family life led to his sex scene refusals.

4. Patrick Dempsey

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It's natural for folks outside Hollywood to complain about their work, but sometimes it's best to keep quiet. Posting a husband and wife's whispered chat is another matter. Patrick Dempsey allegedly said he was only doing Grey's Anatomy "for a regular paycheck." Show makers and writers don't want performers to say that. Such comments don't inspire Hollywood execs with passion for their roles or skills. Dempsey's character was killed off the show soon after these statements were made public, leaving many wishing he had kept quiet.

5. Hank Williams, Jr.

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When Hank Williams, Jr. appeared on FOX & Friends, light and the informal political talk went wrong. He apologized for comparing Obama to Hitler, but the harm was done. ESPN cut relations with him and removed his MNF entrance vocals. Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley made up a monologue on the controversy for the 2011 CMA Awards opening, which was welcomed with laughs. Hank Williams, Jr. joined them on stage at the end. The song/monologue forgives him for his words, blaming them on the reality that many countries' stars drink and smoke. You can get drunk and act crazy, but you can't compare the President to Hitler.

6. Kevin Clash

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If someone told you they want to be a puppeteer, you'd roll your eyes at this "dreamer" who thinks they can make a life with a puppet. While Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy are popular, there's not much room for new puppets. Elmo immediately became a commercial obsession after joining the Sesame Street ensemble. Kevin Clash, the voice behind Elmo, was introduced to audiences on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Clash lost his Sesame Street gig after three sexual abuse complaints. Elmo hasn't been the same since being linked to the sexual abuse of minor boys.
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