Aziz Ansari was both to Muslim parents - both of whom are doctors - in Columbia, South Carolina. He graduated with a degree in marketing. What did he then choose to do with his life? Why, become an atheist stand-up comedian of course! Ansari's best-known early work was probably his part in 'Parks and Recreation,' although it could be argued that 'Master of None' shone a brighter spotlight on him as an individual as opposed to being part of a cast.
Since 2014, he's largely stopped taking on acting roles and appeared as himself, with an increasing focus on stand-up material. Most of his work can now be found on Netflix. Away from the stage, he and two friends often dress up as sailors, go to high-end restaurants, and award them with a plaque indicating that their menu has been 'approved by the Food Club' if they enjoy their meal. According to Ansari, the restaurants frequently have no idea who he is, and put the plaque on the wall as if he were an important food critic.
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.