Awards Shows
Win an Oscar, Lose Your Man

In Hollywood, winning an Oscar is the crowning moment of any celeb's acting career. But for some actresses, it appears to come at the expense of their high-profile relationship.

Angelina, Reese and Halle
In the last eight years, six Academy Award-winning actresses have lost their B-list men on the heels of their Oscar wins. Whether it's a symptom of living in the shadows of their celebrated spouses, or just a wacky coincidence, their fellas can't seem to deal with Oscar being the other man.

For your consideration, TMZ takes a look inside the so-called "Oscar Curse."

Julia RobertsJulia Roberts

Just three months after winning her 2001 Best Actress Oscar for "Erin Brockovich," Julia Roberts ended her relationship with sexy boyfriend Benjamin Bratt. The couple split amid rumors that Ben wanted Julia to work less and settle down. Apparently, that didn't fly with Roberts, but love didn't elude the "Pretty Woman" for very long. A year later, she married cameraman Danny Moder, with whom she had twins.






Angelina JolieAngelina Jolie

All eyes were on Angelina when she accepted her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for "Girl, Interrupted" in 2000. All eyes, except those of her blood-vial-adorned-soon-to-be-ex-husband, Billy Bob Thornton -- who was conspicously absent from the ceremony. After getting his 'n her tattoos, their public groping came to end in 2003. Angelina traded up.


Helen HuntHelen Hunt

In 1998, Helen was Hollywood's golden girl, having won the Best Actress Oscar for "As Good As It Gets" -- and netting a cool $1 million an episode for the final season of NBC's "Mad About You." This was also as good as it would get with hubby Hank Azaria, best known as the voice of Apu on "The Simpsons." Their short-lived marriage ended in 2000. Now Helen is mad about her boyfriend, TV writer/producer Matthew Carnahan, with whom she has a daughter.


Halle BerryHalle Berry

In 2002, Eric Benet seemed to have the best gig in the world; sleeping with Halle Berry. A year later, after Halle's win for "Monster's Ball," the couple separated, reportedly over Benet's extra-curricular sex addiction. Although Halle said she will "never marry again," she is currently dating hunky male model Gabriel Aubrey. If he can't change her mind, no one can!

Hilary SwankHilary Swank

After Hilary Swank won her Oscar for "Boys Don't Cry" in 2000 --and forgot to thank her husband Chad Lowe--some smelled trouble in Paradise. The couple endured for another five years until Swank's second win for "Million Dollar Baby." Since their split in January, Hilary has been linked to Hollywood talent agent John Campisi, while Chad has returned to the confines of obscurity.

Reese WitherspoonReese Witherspoon

Reese became the latest victim of the Oscar curse when she announced her split from husband Ryan Phillippe (first reported by TMZ) just months after her Best Actress win for "Walk the Line." While the couple has no prenup, and Reese has reportedly been pulling down $20 million a picture, the divorce is not expected to be messy, even though Ryan's been linked with co-star Abbie Cornish. Time will tell.

Reader Comments

(Page 3 of 3) Previous 15 Comments

31. Eric benet was not a loser when he met Halle. In fact Halle said she thought he was one of the kindest, most gentle men she had ever known.

Eric had a number one single before he married Halle, he had a platinum album, then he marries Halle, she has the hit and run, he has the miss the GRAMMYS where he was nominated for like song of the year, just to support her. YOU DAMN RIGHT THAT WOULD MAKE SOMEONE BITTER!!! Especially if you live with someone who cares more about their career than yours. She did the same ish to David, except he had sense enough to leave!!!!! Now he's married with his own children, living a very comfortable low key, yet successful life. Eric is trying to do the same!

With regard to Halle's new man. He looks weak to me! Sorry! Nothing sexy about him. But if Halle likes it, actually that explains the lack of sex appeal LOL!, then whatever!

Posted at 11:17PM on Nov 9th 2006 by that'sright

32. Julia and Halle
Two of the hottest women around and they still cant pick a guy thats worth anything

Posted at 7:24PM on Dec 6th 2006 by Terry Horton

33. Most of those ladies and their husbands/boyfriends have been through more partners than Oscar nominations.

Posted at 3:47PM on Nov 13th 2006 by Annalee

34. Any woman is better off NOT being with a man who is intimidated by her money or success. Insecure men simply need to marry or date less successful woman who don't challege them on any level. (Smart men do) Ms Berry is in a better place. Why ? Because she is NOT with a man who needs to beat , trash, degrade, humilitate or engage in numerous affairs with women to build up his self-esteem. What woman or man wants to be with a partner they can't trust ?

Posted at 1:12PM on Nov 14th 2006 by RCG

35. i knew reece and ryan where history even before they got married. when i first heard they where getting married i said to myself " reece is marrying someone that looks like my sister?" i also knew that reece was a great actress and ryans career was no where near hers. so now they are getting a divorce and all i can say is i am not surprised

Posted at 1:46AM on Dec 9th 2006 by j

Previous 15 Comments