Eccentricity in Hollywood is a staple of show business. Whether music, screen or art, most of our great entertainers are a little off-center. A bit quirky.
It makes for great entertainment and memorable moments. Some have been known to take it quite to the extreme, which can also be fun and often endearing. Then again, sad and tragic. Here's a look at some of the most eccentric celebrities we think are worth noting.
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There's a fine line between being eccentric and disturbed. Allin essentially lived on that line. Whether it was defecating on stage or threatening to commit suicide during a set, the obscene punk rocker was as unpredictable as they come. A lot of Allin's behavior stemmed from a difficult upbringing. His mother and brother, who have carried on his legacy through music, art and personal appearances, also bounced to the moves of a different slam dancer.
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A drug addict and alcoholic in her early teens, Barrymore has risen well above her dysfunctional childhood. So, she deserves to be a little quirky and goofy. She's blossomed into one of the biggest stars in the world and is kind of underappreciated from a creative sense. She talks a lot and has struggled to keep a relationship, but the fact she's still standing is impressive enough.
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Eclectic, eccentric, avant-garde, weird, just about any variation on those words works well when describing the Icelandic singer. Whether we're talking about her unique soprano singing voice or her otherworldly creative outfits, Bjork is imaginative and innovative on many fronts. It's kind of like she's in her own imaginary world, and we don't mind stopping by for a visit.
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Bonham Carter's eccentricity is born from her quirky but unique sense of fashion. Kind of gypsy, witchy, if there are such things. Plus, she's graced the big screen in such off-center roles in films like "Alice in Wonderland" and "Oceans 8." Being in a relationship with quirky director Tim Burton (read on, please) for 13 years also added to the Oscar-nominated actress' persona.
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"I find only freedom in the realms of eccentricity," said Bowie, whose eccentric nature made him an innovator in terms of, not only music, but fashion and self-confidence. He was not afraid to take chances or simply display his individually. He made androgyny cool and glam a way of life for young rockers around the globe. Even after his 2016 death, Bowie's all-around legacy is stronger than ever.
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Considered by many to be the greatest actor of all time, Brando was brilliant at his trade, but he certainly had his quirks. He often was confrontational with directors, quite open about his sex life and spent time at Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch. He was one of Hollywood's first true "bad boys" and the father of more than 10 biological and adopted children.
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We've already met Burton's former love, Helena Bonham Carter. When the two split in 2014, it was the end of one of the great eccentric couples in Hollywood history. Burton's weird vibe comes through in his films, obviously, and perhaps because we always see him wearing something black. Yet the famed filmmaker's films like "Beetlejuice," "Edward Scissorhands" and "Pee-wee's Big Adventure" are among some of the most creative and popular offerings of all time.
Busey, who turns 75 this month, earned an Academy Award nomination for his role as the title character in "The Buddy Holly Story" (1978). Ten years later, Busey suffered a head injury during a motorcycle accident. It's believed effects from that accident are why Busey has looked and acted disoriented at times and even contributed to a public scene here or there. That might very well be true, but he's delivered several other stellar performances in supporting roles, even after the accident ("The Firm," "Surviving the Game").
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The nephew of legendary director Francis Ford Coppola, Cage isn't openly off the beaten path, so to speak, though his film roles can be. An Oscar winner for his riveting portrayal of an alcoholic in "Leaving Las Vegas," Cage leads a life that is probably more in tune with Hollywood types than the common person. He's been married four times, including to Lisa Marie Presley for two years, and bought two castles in Europe.
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The man whose company is known for wholesome and innovative family entertainment was not necessarily like the man the public knew. In a way, he considered himself two different people. Disney was essentially an introvert and was rumored to harbor some anti-Semitic thinking outside of the public eye. He also had a fascination with trains, hardly eccentric, but he did have a version of a railroad running throughout his property at home.
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Glover often play eccentric roles, most notably George McFly in "Back to the Future." However, he's also rather infamous for his 1987 appearance on "Late Night with David Letterman," dressed as a character from a movie he had been working on ("Rubin and Ed"). Donning a wig, Glover challenged a seemingly annoyed Letterman to an arm-wrestling contest and delivered a karate kick. Maybe, he was just being true to his craft.
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There's a fine line between Jackson's eccentric nature (the Neverland Ranch, hanging his kid over balconies, to name a few) and his alleged sexual abuse of children that has rightfully tarnished his legacy. Jackson, who died 10 years ago on June 25, has always been under scrutiny for his odd behavior, and perhaps now we know it was more disturbing than imagined.
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Sir Elton is certainly eccentric, but there is also plenty of flamboyance to his act and overall lifestyle. From the costumes to his antics on the piano when on stage, John was certainly one of the true characters in his prime. He's more reserved and mature as the years pile up, but he's still one legendary entertainer who remains perhaps the greatest showmen of all time.
Kaufman's Latka Gravas from "Taxi" is one of the most off-center yet beloved characters in sitcom history. A true performance artist, as he liked to describe himself professionally, Kaufman had plenty of off-beat and head-scratching moments. Staged or not, he refused to say his lines during a sketch on the short-lived, late-night show "Fridays" that resulted in an on-screen fight. Kaufman wrestled women, and there were even rumors he faked his own death from lung cancer in 1984 at age 35.
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Like Bowie, Gaga has turned self-expression into conceptual brilliance. Gaga had to work to gain her self-confidence, and it's ultimately shown through her music, writing and acting. While even Lady Gaga's casual fans see that eccentricity through her style, it's probably most displayed in the attitude. She's shown that it's OK to do and say what you want. The real, true-to-life Gaga shined bright with her stellar performance in "A Star Is Born."
One of the all-time great actors, Malkovich's roles have ranged from weird to completely creepy — and pretty much everything in between. While Malkovich doesn't consider himself a method actor, he has been really known to get into his roles. He speaks French, is into fashion and even appeared in an Eminem music video.
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Ol' Dirty Bastard
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Arguably the most obscene member of Wu-Tang Clan, in terms of his lyrics, at least. Maybe even the way he lived his life. Ol' Dirty was a celebrity who still qualified for food stamps at one point and crashed the stage at the Grammys. ODB's off-beat tendencies turned ugly as time went on, as he was incarcerated for just about everything from shoplifting to drugs. Prior to his death from a drug overdose in 2004 at age 35, ODB's behavior was, at least in part, attributed to possible mental illness.
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No one will argue with Phoenix's talent ("Walk the Line," "The Master," "Gladiator"), but he has done some strange things during his career. He began his career known as Leaf Phoenix and even retired from acting to pursue a career as a rapper in 2008. One year later, on the "Late Show with David Letterman" when being asked about his career, Phoenix was a bit spacey.
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Prince was aberrant on various levels. From the way he dressed, his soft-spoken nature, capricious humor and overall outlook on life. (We'll never forget that symbol name change.) He was also a musical genius. Right up there with the best who ever lived. He was experimental, innovative and controversial. Everything we'd expect from a legend.
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Perhaps the most conceptual jazz performer of all time, Sun Ra (born Herman Poole Blount), was as innovative as they come. From his cosmic-like sound to his futuristic stage costumes, Sun Ra was certainly one of a kind in his genre. It also seemed, through his ideas, that he was from another planet. That's because he believed he actually visited Saturn at one point.
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Reuben's Pee-Wee Herman might be the post eccentric fictional character in all of film and television history. So much so, that Reubens spent a good deal of time living the Pee-Wee persona off screen while doing interviews and in public. Unfortunately, Reubens quirkiness turned dark. He was arrested for masturbating in an adult theater and for marijuana possession.
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A boxer-turned-actor-turned-boxer-turned actor again. That's enough to make this list. But that's one of the more normal aspects of Rourke's life. He's perhaps one of the best method actors of his time and reportedly filmed a non-simulated sex scene with eventual wife Carrie Otis for the 1989 picture "Wild Orchid." Rourke also was involved in a WWE storyline and credits his dogs for his acting success.
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Sheen has lived the life of a Hollywood star to the hilt. He's also paid for his infamy through failed relationships, drug problems, legal issues and an HIV-positive diagnosis. But that seems to be OK with Sheen, who prefers the company of porn stars, has "tiger blood," "Adonis DNA" and is always "winning." A true character to say the very least.
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The king of "pop art," Warhol was a true visionary, whether it be through his art or filmmaking. He's said to have coined the phrase "15 minutes of fame" and even managed The Velvet Underground. At times, Warhol carried a tape recorder around so he could capture everyday life and conversations. His homosexuality was a major influence on his art and overall creative world. Not to mention, he also survived after being shot by feminist author Valerie Solanas in 1968.
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Like any great musician, Zappa's nonconformist and free-thinking attitude was a big part of his music and overall artistry. He experimented with rock, jazz and classical stylings. Zappa also didn't buy into the anti-tobacco push and thought recreational drugs should be legalized — back in his day — while not really a drug user. His children's names include Moon, Dweezil and Diva.