9 Celebrities Who Stole The Lightning From Their Friends

Elise Feyrer

Hollywood's production line for A-listers is remarkably efficient, churning out stars at a breakneck pace like the rich and famous on an endless treadmill. One would wonder, though, where they all come from. These days, one might become famous in various ways: from starting at the bottom of the celebrity laundry pile to becoming an overnight sensation on reality TV or the internet. Simply put, anyone can do it. Some renowned people have even helped their close friends and acquaintances achieve stardom out of the goodness of their hearts.
What happens if the friend becomes more famous than the original star? Hollywood is notorious for its cutthroat culture and gloomy outlook on life. The repeated destruction of friendships and relationships brought on by Hollywood's cutthroat rivalry suggests that people are willing to injure each other for success. Hollywood is, to put it mildly, ruthless when making and breaking friendships.

1. Gwyneth Paltrow And Winona

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Winona Ryder and Gwyneth Paltrow were friends. During the mid-1990s, the two dated Matt Damon and Ben Affleck. The couples double-dated and hung out at each other's homes. During one date, Paltrow found the Shakespeare in Love script intended for Ryder. Paltrow auditioned for the role and won an Oscar. Ryder was upset by her friend's betrayal and wanted to ruin her career. Paltrow later said, without identifying individuals, "I once had a "frenemy" who was hellbent on destroying me. I didn't retaliate. I tried to be noble. I later learned that this person had been humiliated. I felt comfort and joy."

2. Justin Timberlake And N’Sync

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Justin Timberlake is one of the most likable people in showbiz. Timberlake is a multitalented global superstar. Timberlake is an actor, singer, and dancer who has also been on SNL. What made him famous? Timberlake first gained fame in the Disney club. N'sync boosted his stardom. Famous for their in-sync dance routines and mournful harmonies. Timberlake stole the stage, so he ditched the band for a less corny picture.

3. Jennifer Garner And Scott

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Jennifer Garner was unknown in the early 2000s. Garner was a TV extra before dating Scott Foley (who occasionally had a line or two). Due to his roles in Dawson's Creek and Felicity. Felicity was where they met, fell in love, and got married. Garner soon got it big with Alias. Garner shot to popularity overnight. The divorce hurt Foley's career. Garner? Ben Affleck is a whole other story.

4. Gwen Stefani And Gavin

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Gwen Stefani married Gavin Rossdale for 13 years before marrying Blake Shelton. Rossdale's band was more successful when they first met in the mid-1990s. The pair met when Stefani's band supported his. Stefani's solo albums changed everything when she went solo. Bush broke up at about the same time as Rossdale. Divorced, Rossdale resorted to acting and The Voice UK. Gwen... Who won the breakup?

5. Kim Kardashian And Paris

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Kim Kardashian is the world's most famous person. Kim, her famous family, and her husband can do no wrong. Who is she? Kim was once regarded as Paris Hilton's drunk pal. Kim asked the hotel heiress how to make it huge. Kim was impressed by the attention "one night in Paris" was getting. A sex tape featuring Kim and her then-boyfriend Ray J soon followed. Rest is history...

6. Jennifer Aniston And Courteney

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Courteney Cox was Friends' most renowned cast member in the mid-1990s. Cox, who had acted in several Movies and the famous comedy Family Ties, was thought to attract audiences. Jennifer Aniston stole the show. Aniston was the show's golden girl, providing humorous timing and memorable stories. Aniston also effectively transitioned into movies, unlike her Friends co-stars. Aniston and Cox remain best friends, much like their characters.

7. Miley Cyrus And Billy Ray

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Before Miley Cyrus, Billy Ray Cyrus broke hearts in the mid-1990s. Billy Ray's Achy Breaky Heart has been translated into over 100 languages. Billy Ray's debut album was one of the best-selling and most critically acclaimed country albums ever. Billy's life changed when their daughter Miley (formerly Destiny Hope) became famous. Miley is ten times richer than her father, who introduced her to show business and became a worldwide superstar owing to him.

8. Hilary Swank And Chad

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Rob Lowe's younger brother Chad went to high school with Emilio Estevez, Charlie Sheen, and Sean Penn. Chad spent the 1980s performing in TV movies and short-lived comedies. In 1993, Chad won an Emmy for Life Goes On. He also met and married Hilary Swank, who had just been dismissed from Beverley Hills 90210. Chad, the more famous sibling, was still looking for his big break. Hilary featured in Boys Don't Cry, which won an Oscar soon after their marriage. During her acceptance speech, she famously forgot to thank her husband, sparking accusations. Swank is now one of Hollywood's highest-paid actresses; Chad? Maybe.

9. Matt Damon And Ben

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Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have been friends since they were ten. The pair won an Oscar for writing and starring in 1997's Good Will Hunting. Only Damon seemed to get the memo that the two would become even more popular, with Affleck making a series of poor and ridiculous moves. Preferring Hollywood to the craft, Affleck established a relationship with Jennifer Lopez, resulting in "Bennifer." The pair divorced four days before their wedding after starring in box office flops and entering rehab. Damion? He simply hung out with George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Casey Affleck.