If you are considering filing for bankruptcy relief, you are not alone. Throughout history, many famous (and infamous) Americans have sought relief in Bankruptcy Court and have gone on to successful careers afterwards. Below is just a brief sampling of notable individuals and businesses that have filed for bankruptcy protection in the past:
Celebrities
Kim Basinger – Oscar winning actress (1993)
Samuel Clemens a/k/a Mark Twain – author (1894)
Gary Coleman – actor (1999)
Francis Ford Coppola – Oscar winning writer/director/producer (1990)
Walt Disney – of animation and theme park fame (1923)
Henry Ford – automobile manufacturer
Redd Foxx – comedian
Zsa Zsa Gabor - actress
Corey Haim – actor (1997)
Sherman Hemsley – actor (2002)
LaToya Jackson – Michael’s sister (1995)
Grace Jones – actress (1992)
Larry King – talk show host (1978)
Randy Quaid - actor
Burt Reynolds – actor (1995)
Mickey Rooney – actor (1962)
Anna Nicole Smith – actress (1993)
Lynne Spears – Brittany’s mom (1998)
Donald Trump – businessman (1992 and 2004)
Musicians
Toni Braxton – rock star (1998)
Natalie Cole – singer (1990s)
Marvin Gaye – singer (1970s)
Andy Gibb – rock star (1987)
Merle Haggard – country music star (1993)
M.C. Hammer – rap star (1996)
George Jones – country music star
Chaka Kahn – rock star (1990s)
Cyndi Lauper – rock star (1983)
Jerry Lee Lewis – rock star (1998)
Meat Loaf – rock star (1983)
Lorrie Morgan – country music star (1990s)
Willie Nelson – country music star (1990s)
Wayne Newton – Vegas entertainer (1992)
Ted Nugent – rock star
Johnny Paycheck – country music star (1976)
Tom Petty – rock star (1979)
Run DMC – rap group (1993)
Shenandoah – country music band (1991)
Dee Snider – rock star
Tammy Wynette – country music star (1988)
Politicians
Ulysses S. Grant – 18th President of the United States (1884)
J. Fife Symington – Governor of Arizona (1995, while still in office)
James Wilson – U.S. Supreme Court Justice (1789-1798)
Athletes
Dorothy Hamill – Olympic gold medal ice skater (1996)
Rollie Fingers – major league baseball player (1989)
Tony Gwynn – major league baseball player
Gaylord Perry – major league baseball player
Leon Spinks – boxer (1986)
Lawrence Taylor – pro football player (1998)
Danny White – pro football player (1987)
Johnny Unitas – Hall of Fame quarterback
Businesses
Converse, Inc. (2001)
Delta Air Lines, Inc. (2005)
Dow Corning Corporation (1995)
Enron Corporation (2001)
Fruit of the Loom, Inc. (1999)
Kmart Corporation (2002)
Planet Hollywood International, Inc. (1999 and 2001)
Polaroid Corporation (2001)
Purina Mills, Inc. (1999)
Texaco, Inc. (1987)
U.S. Airways (2002)
Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. (2005)
