In 2012, Selma Blair starred in the short film, Slideshow of Wieners: A Love Story, a satirical love story regarding the internet. Shortly after her admirable performance in the short film, Selma came back to our TV screens as a lead actress in the first showing of FX’s Anger Management, with Charlie Sheen as her co-star. Selma Blair starred in a total of 53 episodes of Anger Management, portraying Dr. Kate Wales, Charlie Sheen’s therapist, and romantic partner. The series drew a mixed bag of critical reviews but, nevertheless, proved to be a big hit – it garnered 5.74 million viewers when it debuted and is ranked as the #1 viewed sitcom premiere in cable history.
Selma Blair exited Anger Management during the filming of the second season because of disputes with her co-star, Charlie Sheen. She apparently enraged Sheen while they were filming, prompting the actor to work on her immediate firing. Her exit on the show was made official in June of 2013. Selma continues to star in various Hollywood roles, including the horror movie, Mom and Dad, with the inimitable Nicolas Cage, in 2017.
MacKenzie Phillips, One Day at a Time
MacKenzie Phillips was born to be an actress. At the young age of 12, she was already performing in the coming-of-age comedy film, American Graffiti. She became a star in the 1970s after portraying the boy-crazy teenager, Julie Cooper, in the television show, One Day at a Time. The show also paid her handsomely, with $50,000 a week, the current equivalent of $232,808.
Unfortunately, MacKenzie suffered from substance abuse issues during her stint with One Day at a Time. Because of that, she was cut off from the show and underwent a rehabilitation program to get clean. She made a comeback in the show’s final season, but was then booted out for the second time when she got back to using and fainted on set. Today, Mackenzie Phillips is a counselor and made an appearance in the 2017 reboot of One Day at a Time, playing a counselor who helps individuals with substance abuse problems.
Jennette McCurdy, Sam & Cat
Jennette McCurdy became a celebrity when she co-starred with Ariana Grande in the Nickelodeon series, Sam & Cat. Jennette played the character, Sam Puckett, while Ariana played Cat Valentine. The show was first aired on June 8, 2013, and revolved around the story of two girls who became roommates and began a babysitting business.
Jennette’s acting career for the Nickelodeon series was jeopardized when provocative photos of the female star started going viral. It made things even worse when she posted even more photos of the same kind on Instagram. After matters got out of hand, Nickelodeon decided to shut down the show entirely. Currently, Jennette McCurdy is enjoying success on the Netflix sci-fi series, Between.
Shannen Doherty, Beverly Hills, 90210 and Charmed
Back in the early 90s, Shannen Doherty earned global recognition and popularity for her breakout role as Brenda Walsh in the Aaron Spelling-produced TV series, Beverly Hills, 90210. Her performance garnered her a Young Artist award nomination for Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Series. Outside her success on the screen though, the American actress was infamous for her troublesome ways on set, forcing her to leave the Beverly Hills TV series.
Shannen went on to enjoy much success during her time on Charmed, although she would end up crossing swords with another co-star, Alyssa Milano, which ultimately got her kicked out of the hit show. Doherty has endured a long and drawn out battle with advanced breast cancer, and depending on your opinion regarding her latest interviews, the experience appears to have humbled her and offered the actress a new and better perspective on life.
Brian Williams, NBC Nightly News
On December 2, 2004, Brian Williams was named lead anchor of NBC Nightly News, a replacement for Tom Brokaw who was already heading for retirement. Brian’s first year in NBC was highlighted by two major news coverages: the Asian Tsunami and Hurricane Katrina, with the latter garnering him critical acclaim. The New York Times described his coverage of the hurricane as a defining moment in his career.
Amidst his success with NBC Nightly News though, he was still kicked out following his confession that a story involving his helicopter being shot down in the air during the war on Iraq was a hoax. Today, Brian Williams is the host of The 11th Hour, with Brian Williams, on MSNBC.