The 10 Celebrity Breakups We Cheer For
There was a time in history when the only celebrity anyone knew about was the leader of their country. Enter the era of TV and talkies and that changed as the world intensified its view on what was hot or not! Fast forward half a century and celebrities have been born to actors, musicians, athletes, and even other celebrities. However, one thing hasn’t changed throughout the story: we still love hearing that so-and-so broke up. This Top 10 features the celebrities we’ve cheered on when they broke up. The breakup has given the average man or woman the hope that one day they can be more than just an avid fan from a distance.
10. Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel
She was his “Uptown Girl” and he was her Rockin’ musician husband. Married in 1985, Billy Joel was at the height of his career and personal life when he married his wife, supermodel Christie Brinkley. For a time he was his muse with many songs supposedly inspired by his beauty. Unfortunately, he wasn’t meant to be. Her marriage ended in 1994 when she was still in her 40s and very hot, while her career was arguably turning cold. Since then, Christie has been married two more times, while Billy was on the market for about 10 years before coming together to form “Top Chef” host Katie Lee.
9. Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin
Like Christie and Billy, Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin were in their youth and at the peak of their careers when they got married. They were both the objects of desire for men and women all over the world: he with his fiery masculine machismo and she with her leggy, sultry blonde appearance. Sadly, their nine-year marriage, from 1993-2002, ended in an ugly court battle that occasionally resurfaces today. Kim continues to work in spurts despite agoraphobia, while Alec has been working steadily since the split and is enjoying a career resurgence with him on NBC’s “30 Rock.” Unlike Christie and Billy, both Kim and Alec are still free-spirited and fantasy-free, though the ongoing publicity about their divorce could cause a little friction between potential suitors.
8. Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise
Long before couch-hopping tirades tarnished his image, Tom Cruise had a respectable life and career along with his wife Nicole Kidman and their two adopted children. Tom was an established star when he cast Nicole on the set of “Days of Thunder.” And everything was quiet on the storm front from 1990-2001 until they broke up, which was reportedly a shock to Nicole. After the divorce, Nicole’s star continued to rise above the cumulus nimbus in blockbusters like “Moulin Rouge!”, “The Hours” and “Cold Mountain.” Meanwhile, Tom’s career was briefly hot before scandals began to erupt over his devout belief in Scientology. In the years that followed, Tom would face more trouble personally and in his career before finding his next true love, Katie Holmes, and having a daughter. As for Nicole, he too found another true love in Keith Urban and is also expecting a baby on the way.
7. Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora (and Tommy Lee)
In the second case, the musician meets the model, then marries the model and then screws up, we have Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora. However, before the genetically gifted actress and model married the Bon Jovi guitarist, she was married for seven years to Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. Like her marriage to Tommy, Heather and Richie only had tonsil entanglements for seven years before divorcing last year. Richie continues to tour and date attractive women, including Denise Richards, while Heather has reportedly moved on as well. And if you like models or rockers, all three are still on the market.
6. Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck (and P-Diddy)
Sometime in the 1990s, an “In Living Color” girl became the It girl known for her pipes, her acting career, and the one attribute no one could deny: her butt. And like a magnet, Jennifer Lopez attracted plenty of suitors, including Ben Affleck and Sean “P-Diddy” Combs. Although she didn’t marry either of the possible better halves, her relationship with the two of hers made headlines around the world mainly due to her often skimpy outfits while she played candy. Case in point: Bennifer in action for her “Jenny from the Block” music video. Yet she was just as small for “Puff Daddy,” as the mogul of many nicknames was then known, when they appeared arm in arm at the 2001 Grammys, where she revealed many of her attributes in a sheer green gown. Since his early years with Bennifer, Ben has moved on to another Jennifer: Jennifer Garner, his co-star in the flop “Daredevil.” And after a series of failed relationships and a failed marriage, Jennifer settled down with fellow Latin singer Marc Anthony, with whom she now has twins. Once both low-end A-Listers, they appear to have fallen out of favor with the media and can be seen fitfully trying to restart their careers.
5. Uma Thurman and Ethan Hawke (and Gary Oldman)
Perhaps Quentin Tarantino’s epic two-part story “Kill Bill” should have been called “Kill Ethan” for the idiocy Ethan Hawke displayed while still married to the willowy Uma Thurman. However, before flying with Hawke, she was married to noted actor Gary Oldman for two years in the early ’90s. Unfortunately, her careers and lives supposedly didn’t mesh, so they parted ways. In a surprising twist, Uma married another prominent up-and-coming actor eight years later, though Ethan was reportedly dissatisfied with Uma during their 1998-2004 marriage and decided to delve into each other’s waters. Upon learning of her transgressions, she moved on with dignity and has continued her career and her life with her characteristic combination of beauty and brilliance. It was recently announced that Uma is off the market again with a new engagement announcement. Meanwhile, it looks like Hawke has gotten new wings of her own with the announcement earlier this year that the stork will be visiting her nest again.
4. Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz (and Brittany Spears)
Women all over the world love the idea of this young man singing to them, shaking his hips and pushing his way into their hearts. No, we’re not talking about Elvis; We’re talking about Justin Timberlake, the one-time Mickey Mouse clubber turned teen heartthrob turned sex symbol. There are some women who would like to see him Bringing Sexy Back, including former flames Cameron Diaz and Brittany Spears. While Brittany has yet to regain the foothold of a respectable career, Cameron Diaz is a hottie in her own right and has done her career justice since she split from JT. Unfortunately, it seems that she is also off the market as she is dating model Paul Sculfor. As for the chart-topping object of desire for women, she’s gone from being in an increasingly attractive relationship with Scarlett Johansen and is now reportedly courting Jessica Biel.
3. Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Philippe
In another case of loins trumping brains, Ryan Phillippe was the excuse Reese Witherspoon needed to end her marriage—with him! After seven years of marriage and citing “irreconcilable differences” amid rumors of extramarital shenanigans, the blonde bombshells have split. Reese has arguably had a better run in her marriage, and after a while, every once in a while a picture pops up with the forgettable Ryan in the lead. However, Reese seems to have moved on to Hollywood’s next best thing: Jake Gyllenhaal. As for Ryan, he too is off the market and is dating Australian actress Abbie Cornish.
2. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston
For five glorious years, between 2000 and 2005, Jennifer Aniston was married to the one known as one of the most attractive men in the world, Brad Pitt. And she’s not a troll living under the Hollywood sign either! However, her wedded bliss was not meant to be; the It couple from the 2000s would soon be replaced by Brad in the saddle again with Angelina Jolie (see No. 1). As Brad’s star has continued to rise personally and professionally, it looks like Jennifer may continue to rise as well as she has latched on to rising star musician John Mayer.
1. Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thorton
While Angelina Jolie is arguably one of the most attractive women on the planet, her choice of partners seems quite eclectic. So when she married Billy Bob Thornton in 2000, the media and the general population wondered what the hell she went through. And three years later, they were cheering when they broke up due to the “overnight change”. Most men wish they were the reason Angelina changed, but within a few short years she latched on to our number 2 man, Brad Pitt. Since then, they have expanded their brood by adding more children through adoption and the natural method. Meanwhile, neither Angelina’s nor Billy Bob’s career has been hurting since the breakup. But Billy Bob is still an eligible bachelor, even though he has told numerous reporters that Angelina was the last time he walked into court with a marriage license.
