There used to be a time in history when the only celebrity anyone knew was the leader of their country. Enter the era of television and talkies and that changed as the world increased its point of view on what was hot or not! Fast forward half a century and celebrities are born to actors, musicians, sports figures, and even other celebrities. However, one thing has not changed throughout history: we still love to hear that such and such broke up. This Top 10 features the celebrities who made us happy when they broke up. The breakup has given the common man or woman hope that one day they may be more than an avid admirer from a distance.
10. Christie Brinkley and Billy Joel
She was his “Uptown Girl” and he was her husband, rockin ‘musician. Married in 1985, Billy Joel was at the height of his career and personal life when he married his supermodel wife Christie Brinkley. For a time she served as his muse with many songs supposedly inspired by her beauty. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be. Their marriage ended in 1994 when she was still 40 and on fire, while her career was arguably cooling off. Since then, Christie has been married twice more, while Billy was in the market for about 10 years before marrying 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 prime and at the peak of their careers when they married. They were both the objects of desire for men and women all over the world: he with a fiery manly machismo and she with her sensual, long-legged blonde gaze. Unfortunately, their nine-year marriage between 1993 and 2002 ended in an ugly court battle that occasionally resurfaces today. Kim continues to work in streaks despite agoraphobia, while Alec has been working steadily since the split and is enjoying a career resurgence on NBC’s “30 Rock.” Unlike Christie and Billy, both Kim and Alec are still loose and no-frills, although the ongoing publicity about their divorce could cause a bit of friction between potential suitors.
8. Nicole Kidman and Tom Cruise
Long before couch-hopping rants tarnished his image, Tom Cruise had a respectable life and career alongside his wife Nicole Kidman and their two adopted children. Tom was an established star when he met Nicole on the set of “Days of Thunder.” And they all remained silent in the front of the storm from 1990-2001 until they parted ways, which was supposedly a shock to Nicole. After the divorce, Nicole’s star continued to rise above the nimbus cluster in such blockbusters as “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 problems personally and in his career before finding his next true love, Katie Holmes, and having a daughter. As for Nicole, she also found another true love in Keith Urban and also expects a bambino along the way.
7. Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora (and Tommy Lee)
In the second case the musician meets a model, then he marries a model, then he ruins it, we have Heather Locklear and Richie Sambora. However, before the talented actress / model married guitar sharpener Bon Jovi, she was married for seven years to Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee. Like the marriage to Tommy, Heather and Richie only had their tonsils tangled for seven years before getting divorced last year. Richie continues to tour and dates hot 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, a girl from “In Living Color” became the It girl known for her bagpipes, her acting career, and the one attribute no one could deny: her butt. And like a magnet, Jennifer Lopez attracted many suitors, including Ben Affleck and Sean “P-Diddy” Combs. Although she did not marry either halves who could be better, her relationship with the two made headlines around the world mainly due to their often scant outfits while playing arm candy. Case in point: Bennifer in action for her “Jenny from the Block” music video. Yet she was so slim for “Puff Daddy,” as the mogul with multiple nicknames was known then, when they appeared arm in arm at the 2001 Grammys, where she revealed many of her assets in a see-through green dress. Since his early Bennifer years, 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 has settled down with fellow Latin singer Marc Anthony with whom she now has fraternal twins. Once both low-end A-Listers, they seem to have fallen out of favor with the media and can be seen irregularly 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” because of the idiocy Ethan Hawke displayed while still married to the super slender Uma Thurman. However, before she was shot with Hawke, she was married to notable actor Gary Oldman for two years in the early 1990s. Unfortunately, their careers and lives supposedly didn’t match, so they parted ways. In a surprising twist, Uma married another notable up-and-coming actor eight years later, though Ethan was reportedly dissatisfied with Uma during their 1998-2004 marriage and decided to step into each other’s waters. Upon learning of her transgressions, she moved on with dignity and has continued her career and life with her trademark combination of beauty and brilliance. It was recently announced that Uma is once again off the market with a new engagement announcement. Meanwhile, it appears that Hawke has new wings of his own with the announcement earlier this year that the stork will return to visit its nest.
4. Justin Timberlake and Cameron Diaz (and Brittany Spears)
Women all over the world love the idea of this young man humming to them, shaking his hips, and working his way into their hearts. No, we are not talking about Elvis; We’re talking about Justin Timberlake, Mickey Mouse’s clubber turned teenage heartthrob turned sex symbol. There are a few women who would like to see him Bringing Sexy Back, including ex-brand new Cameron Diaz and Brittany Spears. While Brittany has yet to regain the foothold of a respectable career, Cameron Diaz is a sexy girl and has done her career justice since she parted ways with JT. Unfortunately, it looks like it’s off the market as well as it’s coming out with the Paul Sculfor model. As for the item that tops the women’s wish list, she went from being in a relationship with Scarlett Johansen and is now reportedly courting Jessica Biel.
3. Reese Witherspoon and Ryan Phillippe
In another case of loins overcoming brains, Ryan Phillippe was the excuse Reese Witherspoon needed to end her marriage – to him! After seven years of marriage and citing “irreconcilable differences” amid rumors of extramarital headscarves, the blonde bombshell parted ways. Reese has arguably had a better run in her marriage and every now and then a picture pops up with the often forgettable Ryan at the helm. However, Reese seems to have moved on to Hollywood’s next best option: Jake Gyllenhaal. As for Ryan, he is also off the market and is dating Australian actress Abbie Cornish.
2. Brad Pitt and Jennifer Aniston
For five glorious years, from 2000 to 2005, Jennifer Aniston was married to Brad Pitt, known as one of the hottest men in the world. And she’s also not a troll living under the Hollywood sign! However, their marital happiness 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 seems Jennifer can only continue to rise since she held on to rising star musician John Mayer.
1. Angelina Jolie and Billy Bob Thornton
While Angelina Jolie is arguably one of the hottest women on the planet, her choice of partners has seemed quite eclectic. So when she married Billy Bob Thornton in 2000, the media and the general population wondered what the heck happened. And three years later, they were cheering when they broke up due to “changing overnight.” Most men wish they had been the reason Angelina changed, but in a few short years she had clung to our man number 2, Brad Pitt. Since then, they have expanded their offspring by adding more children through adoption and the natural method. Meanwhile, neither Angelina nor Billy Bob’s career has been affected since the breakup. But Billy Bob is still an eligible bachelor, although he has told numerous journalists that Angelina was the last time he walked into court with a marriage license.
