Born in West Newbury, Massachusetts was a young man who couldn't be seen by his parents, peers, and now his fans in John Felix Anthony Cena, better known today as John Cena. John Cena is probably the second-largest crossover act in pro-wrestling history behind The Rock. But his current stint as roster member of the WWE might land him in the Hall of Fame early as he's the fourth longest reigning WWE Champion in combined days in the history of the business.
Throughout his career, John Cena has held the WWE Championship title thirteen times and the World Heavyweight Championship belt a total of three times. Cena has headlined more pay-per-view events than another wrestling act in the brand's history with a total of 67 and has lately found himself on the silver screen. Cena has starred in films like The Marine, Legendary, and 12 Rounds. If John Cena hasn't established himself as one of the greatest to ever enter the ring, he's on his way to doing so and very soon at that.
Not all celebrities have fame and fortune, some are just famous – and in a ton of debt. They came from rags to riches, then went back to rags. Whether they’ve filed bankruptcy, ended up in court, or just can’t stop spending, celebrities mismanage their money just like everyone else. They just hide it well.
50 Cent coined the term “wanksta,” then “partied like it was his birthday” until he filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2015. The rapper was said to be anywhere between $10 million and $50 million in debt. In 2016, a federal bankruptcy court judge in Connecticut approved a plan for the founder of G-Unit to pay his debts back. He was able to get his bankruptcy discharged in February of the following year.
Following a 45-year-long career in Hollywood, acting in more than 70 films, actor Gary Busey found himself in more debt than he was worth. In 2012, it was reported that Busey owed between $500,000 and $1 million worth of debt, but only had $50,000 to his name. The 74-year-old actor owed money to hospitals, banks, the L.A. Waterworks District, and even a storage company. He filed Chapter 7 bankruptcy that same year. Despite his longstanding career in Hollywood, Busey's net worth is now only $500,000.
Burt Reynolds is still worth five million dollars, but his battles with debt date back more than 20 years. Between bad investments and a pricey divorce from actress Loni Anderson, the 1970s superstar had to deal with over $10 million in debt and decided to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1996. While testifying in a 1994 custody hearing, the South Florida native said he spent $40 million getting through his divorce.
The former Hollywood bad boy, Charlie Sheen owes the IRS nearly $5 million. But that's not all. In 2016, his net worth was reportedly still as high as $150 million, but he was nonetheless $12 million in debt at the time – including mortgages, legal fees, and taxes. That same year, Debt.com reported Sheen owed nearly $300,000 on an American Express card alone.