celebrity train wrecks
Let's count down the top 10.
No. 10 David Arquette
David Arquette is best known for these movies, but until recently he's mostly been known as the brother of “Medium” star Patricia Arquette and Rosanna Arquette and Courteney Cox's husband.
Why he’s a train wreck: The announcement that he and Cox were divorcing sent Arquette on a TMI tabloid rampage, spilling major quantities of embarrassing personal info – including this one about his drinking and pot problems. He checked into rehab in January and then got into a head-on car accident in Hollywood on March 4Bonus: Arquette and Cox are parents of Coco Arquette. See pictures of her.
No.9 Randy Quaid
He's best known for his quirky roles, including Cousin Eddie in the National Lampoon Vacation movies and the redneck rancher in "Brokeback Mountain."
Why he’s a train wreck: Randy Quaid (photos) received a lifetime ban from Actors Equity for allegedly terrorizing his fellow cast members in a theater production. More recently, he and his wife have been in court for allegedly skipping out on a large hotel bill and seeking asylum in CanadaBonus:Randy's younger brother's film career (clips) is still very much on the tracks.
No. 8 Tara Reid
Tara Reid (photos) had a small but memorable part in "The Big Lebowski" and a key role in a major hit "American Pie" before age 25.
Why she’s a train wreck: Heavy partying and botched cosmetic surgery obscured her thespian efforts, she exposed herself on the red carpet at Diddy's birthday party, and early this year, she announced that a "Big Lebowski 2" was in the works; news that surprised everyone, including the CoensBonus: Reid had a recurring role in a popular soap opera(clips).
No.7 Tom Sizemore
Tom Sizemore seemed to be on the road to a solid career as a supporting player following his performance as the sergeant in "Saving Private Ryan" (clips).
Why he’s a train wreck: His rap sheet includes a conviction for assaulting girlfriend Heidi Fleiss and a bust for meth possession that landed him in jail. Other embarrassments on his résumé: a sex tape, an appearance on "Celebrity Rehab," and the use of a device called a "Whizzinator" in an attempt to beat a drug test.
Bonus: After "Saving Private Ryan," Sizemore had roles in two other popular war movies.
No.6 Britney Spears
The teen pop queen debuted with the single "Baby One More Time" (watch video) and went on to sell millions.
Why she’s a train wreck: Her wild child days started with an impulsive Vegas marriage. But after a short, tumultuous marriage to Kevin Federline , she went off the deep end: shaving her head, attacking cars with an umbrella, rehab, tanking at the VMAs, losing custody of her children.
Bonus: She had a two-year stint on "The All-New Mickey Mouse Club." Her fellow Mouseketeers included Justin Timberlake, JC Chasez, Christina Aguilera, and Keri Russell.
No.5 Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston's cover of a Dolly Parton song became one of the biggest hit singles in pop history.
Why she’s a train wreck: By the time she joined her husband Bobby Brown on his reality show, the disheveled and foul-mouthed Houston was unrecognizable as the girl who was once "Saving All My Love for You". She has since divorced Brown and admitted to past drug use, but her most recent CD and tour revealed an artist who is a shell of her former self.
Bonus: Both Whitney's mom and cousin were also major music stars.
No. 4 Andy Dick
Bizarre behavior is part of Andy Dick's comedy repertoire, but in the time since his stint on "NewsRadio," most of his craziness hasn't been an act.
Why he’s a train wreck: He's been arrested for drug possession, DUI, urinating on a building and groping women. He's been thrown off the set of "Jimmy Kimmel Live" for repeatedly touching fellow guest Ivanka Trump, licked the faces of female celebrities , and gotten in a fistfight with former co-star Jon Lovitz. Most recently, he got himself thrown out of an adult film awards show for harassing a porn star.
Bonus: Another funny guy gave Dick his first big break.
No. 3 Lindsay Lohan
She's only 24, but Lindsay Lohan has already accomplished enough to merit a train wreck lifetime achievement award. Remember when a teenage Lindsay supposedly feuding with Hilary Duff was considered hot copy?
Why she’s a train wreck: In just the last five years, Lohan's career has imploded amidst drunken driving arrests, constant clubbing and six separate visits to rehab. The charge that she stole a $2,500 necklace from a jewelry store could be her biggest crisis yet, with the prospect of more time behind bars. Of course she could always just change her name.
Bonus: Given her history, her last Disney film had an apt title.
No. 2 Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen (real name?) has appeared in quite a few hit films, including "Platoon," "Wall Street", "Young Guns" and "Major League."
Why he’s a train wreck: He was expelled from high school and first went to rehab in 1990. He spent the '90s dating porn stars and appearing on the Heidi Fleiss client roll. His near-overdose in 1998 seemed to briefly set him until his Christmas Eve 2009 arrest after an altercation with then-wife Brooke Mueller. Encores followed quickly: hotel room trashing, tiger blood, the goddesses and his Twitter explosion. The freak show has no end in sight, and now he's taken it on the road.
Bonus: The good news? He'd be happy to go back to his most recent job.
No. 1 Mel Gibson
Why is Mel Gibson No. 1? Because the fall has been so steep. He stormed the beaches in "Gallipoli," tore up the outback in "Mad Max," almost singlehandedly won the American Revolution – and now he's talking to a hand puppet?
Why he’s a train wreck: There was his 2006 arrest for DUI and the anti-Semitic remarks he made to the arresting officer. His breakup with girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva included charges of violence and the release of several tapes on which someone believed to be Gibson spews more ugly rants. He reportedly has offered his support to Charlie Sheen -- reason enough to earn him in the top spot.
Bonus: He turned down roles as a great composer and a superhero.
The runners-up
Retired train wrecks: They've stayed out of trouble long enough to make us forget their former issues. Drew Barrymore and Robert Downey Jr. are the official poster children here. Special mention goes to Keith Richards, who clearly will never die.
Web wrecks: Tila Tequila, obviously. Courtney Love transitioned from public crazy to Twitter crazy. If we see any more nude pictures of Chris Brown, we'll put him on the list, too.
Surgical train wrecks: Take your pick.
Train wrecks in training: Demi Lovato, Taylor Momsen and Miley Cyrus. They've all acted out in the public eye, but it's too soon to know if this is normal teenage misbehavior, or the start of a brilliant train wreck career. (Sorry, Mischa Barton: You're too old for this category now.)
