The 1960s and 1970s were wild decades for Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Celebrities were larger than life, and their scandals often reflected the cultural shifts of the time. Whether it was the free-spirited ’60s or the indulgent ’70s, these eras were rife with drama, controversy, and headline-making moments that often rocked the public’s perception of their favorite stars. While some of these scandals have faded from memory, they left lasting impressions on the tabloids and fans of the time. Let’s dive into 14 forgotten celebrity scandals from the ’60s and ’70s that once had everyone talking.
1. Elizabeth Taylor and Eddie Fisher’s Scandalous Affair
Elizabeth Taylor was already a tabloid staple when her affair with singer Eddie Fisher became public in 1959, but the fallout carried well into the early ’60s. Fisher was married to America’s sweetheart, Debbie Reynolds, at the time, and their marriage seemed like a fairy tale. When Fisher left Reynolds for Taylor, it caused a massive uproar, with fans turning against the couple. Taylor’s image as the grieving widow of Mike Todd (her third husband) was quickly replaced by that of a homewrecker.
Although Taylor and Fisher eventually married, their union was short-lived. Taylor’s affair with Richard Burton on the set of Cleopatra soon eclipsed the scandal with Fisher, but the drama surrounding the love triangle remains one of Hollywood’s most infamous sagas. Today, the outrage over the affair feels like a time capsule of a different era, when celebrity divorces and affairs weren’t as common—or as readily forgiven—as they are now.
2. Marlon Brando’s Academy Awards Boycott
In 1973, Marlon Brando made headlines when he refused to accept his Oscar for The Godfather. Instead of attending the ceremony, he sent Native American actress and activist Sacheen Littlefeather to decline the award on his behalf. Littlefeather took to the stage and delivered a brief speech condemning Hollywood’s portrayal of Native Americans. While some in the audience applauded, others booed loudly, sparking one of the most controversial moments in Oscars history.
At the time, Brando’s decision was polarizing, with critics accusing him of using the Oscars for political grandstanding. Decades later, his actions are often revisited as a bold stance for social justice, though the incident still raises debates about activism and celebrity responsibility. In any case, it was a defining moment that pushed Hollywood to reckon with its history, even if Brando’s method was highly unconventional.
3. The Beatles’ “Bigger Than Jesus” Controversy
In 1966, John Lennon made an offhand comment during an interview with The Evening Standard, saying, “We’re more popular than Jesus now.” The remark, though largely ignored in the UK, ignited a firestorm in the United States after it was reprinted in Datebook magazine. Outraged Christians organized record burnings and boycotts of the band, claiming Lennon’s statement was blasphemous. The controversy even led to death threats, making it a tense time for the Fab Four.
The backlash was so intense that Lennon was forced to issue a public apology, clarifying that his comment was taken out of context. While the scandal didn’t derail the Beatles’ career, it marked the beginning of a more contentious relationship with their American audience. Today, it’s a fascinating glimpse into how cultural clashes shaped the Beatles’ legacy.
4. Roman Polanski’s Flight from Justice
Roman Polanski was a celebrated director in the ’60s and ’70s, but his career was overshadowed by a scandal that still haunts him today. In 1977, Polanski was arrested and charged with drugging and attacking a 13-year-old girl. After pleading guilty to a lesser charge, Polanski fled the United States before sentencing, escaping to France, where he has lived ever since.
At the time, Polanski’s flight divided public opinion. Some sympathized with him, citing the trauma he endured after the murder of his wife Sharon Tate by the Manson Family. Others condemned his actions as inexcusable, regardless of his personal tragedies. Polanski’s scandal remains one of the most infamous in Hollywood history, but its origins in the ’70s were a shocking revelation for fans of the acclaimed filmmaker.
5. David Bowie and the “Nazi Salute” Incident
In the mid-1970s, during his Thin White Duke phase, David Bowie made several alarming comments that appeared to flirt with fascist imagery and ideologies. In interviews, Bowie spoke ambiguously about Hitler as a showman and suggested that Britain could benefit from a fascist leader to restore order. These remarks, combined with his use of fascist-adjacent imagery in his persona, raised eyebrows and sparked significant backlash. A photograph of Bowie arriving at Victoria Station in 1976, where he appeared to give a Nazi salute, only fueled the controversy. Though Bowie later insisted the photo was misleading and he was simply caught mid-wave, it became a defining image in the scandal.
Bowie eventually distanced himself from these comments, attributing them to the influence of heavy drug use and his deteriorating mental health at the time. In later interviews, he expressed deep regret and clarified that he had never supported fascism or Nazi ideology, calling his statements “stupid” and a reflection of his chaotic state of mind during the period. The controversy remains a dark chapter in Bowie’s otherwise illustrious career, a reminder of how his experimental artistry occasionally veered into dangerous territory. While modern audiences may view it as a product of his troubled personal life, at the time, it threatened to overshadow his musical genius.
6. Jane Fonda’s Hanoi Jane Controversy
Jane Fonda’s anti-war activism reached a boiling point in 1972 when she visited North Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Photographs of Fonda sitting on a North Vietnamese anti-aircraft gun enraged Americans, particularly veterans and military families, who saw her actions as unpatriotic. The incident earned her the nickname “Hanoi Jane,” a label that stuck for decades.
Fonda later apologized for the photo, calling it a “huge mistake” and expressing regret for the pain it caused. While her activism is now recognized as part of a broader movement against the war, the controversy remains a divisive chapter in her career. It’s a stark example of how celebrity activism can provoke intense backlash.
7. Frank Sinatra and the Mafia Connections
Frank Sinatra’s smooth voice and suave persona made him one of the biggest stars of the mid-20th century, but his alleged ties to the Mafia stirred controversy throughout his career. Rumors swirled about Sinatra’s connections to organized crime, with claims that his friendships with figures like Sam Giancana and Lucky Luciano helped him secure gigs and business opportunities. The whispers only grew louder when Sinatra’s name was mentioned during the Kefauver hearings on organized crime in the 1950s, and by the 1970s, his alleged mob connections were still a topic of intrigue.
Sinatra always denied any involvement, and no concrete evidence ever surfaced to tie him to criminal activity, but the perception of a cozy relationship lingered. His ownership stake in the Cal Neva Lodge, a casino suspected of being a mob hangout, didn’t help. For fans in the ’60s and ’70s, the rumors added an air of danger and mystique to Sinatra’s already larger-than-life persona. Today, the scandal is mostly forgotten, overshadowed by Sinatra’s immense musical legacy, but it’s still a fascinating chapter in the life of Ol’ Blue Eyes.
8. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor’s Public Feuds
The love story of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor was as passionate as it was volatile. The couple married and divorced twice, and their public fights often made headlines. One infamous incident occurred in the early ’70s when Burton allegedly hurled a glass of wine at Taylor during a heated argument at a restaurant.
While their drama fueled tabloid sales, it also highlighted the darker side of celebrity relationships in the spotlight. Today, their relationship might be seen through the lens of toxic dynamics, but at the time, it was a glamorous trainwreck that captivated fans.
9. George Harrison’s Infidelity Scandal
George Harrison shocked fans when it was revealed that he had an affair with Maureen Starkey, the wife of his Beatles bandmate Ringo Starr. The scandal unfolded in the mid-’70s and caused a rift within the band’s famously close circle. While Ringo eventually forgave George, the affair became a hot topic in Beatles lore.
The incident painted a more complicated picture of Harrison, who was often seen as the “spiritual” Beatle. It’s a reminder that even the most revered figures have flaws, and the scandal added a layer of human imperfection to his legacy.
10. The Rolling Stones’ Redlands Bust
In 1967, police raided a party at Keith Richards’s home, arresting him and Mick Jagger on drug possession charges. The infamous “Redlands Bust” became a symbol of the counterculture clash between rock stars and the establishment. The trial was a media circus, with even The Times publishing a defense of Jagger in its famous “Who Breaks a Butterfly on a Wheel?” editorial.
The bust cemented the Stones’ reputation as rebellious icons, but it also underscored the risks of their hedonistic lifestyle. Today, the incident feels like a pivotal moment in the shifting cultural landscape of the ’60s.
11. Clint Eastwood’s Secret Family
Clint Eastwood, the stoic star of spaghetti Westerns, shocked fans when it was revealed in the ’70s that he had fathered multiple children out of wedlock. While Eastwood was already known for his romantic escapades, the extent of his secret family life came as a surprise.
The revelation didn’t significantly damage Eastwood’s career, but it added a layer of intrigue to his private life. In an era when public personas were carefully curated, his scandal stood out as a rare glimpse into the complexity of celebrity life.
12. Pattie Boyd, George Harrison, and Eric Clapton’s Love Triangle
One of rock’s most famous love triangles involved George Harrison, his wife Pattie Boyd, and Eric Clapton. Clapton fell in love with Boyd while she was still married to Harrison, famously penning “Layla” as a declaration of his feelings. The situation reached a breaking point in the early ’70s, leading to Boyd and Harrison’s divorce. She later married Clapton.
The affair was scandalous at the time, but it also inspired some of the most iconic music of the era. It’s a testament to how personal turmoil often fuels artistic genius, even as it leaves behind a trail of drama.
These forgotten scandals remind us of a time when Hollywood and the music industry were grappling with cultural shifts and newfound freedoms. While the stars involved often paid a price for their missteps, these moments remain fascinating snapshots of an unforgettable era.
