How Shia LaBeouf went from the beloved star of 'Even Stevens' to one of the most controversial actors in Hollywood

Libby TorresOct 15, 2022, 20:47 IST

LaBeouf in 2021.John Phillips/Getty Images

Shia LaBeouf first rose to fame in the early 2000s, with roles on "Even Stevens" and in "Holes."
He then starred in numerous high-profile films like "Disturbia," "Transformers," and "Nymphomaniac."

Shia LaBeouf was born in Los Angeles in 1986.

LaBeouf in 2003.L. Cohen/WireImage

LaBeouf began his acting career with bit parts on shows like "The X-Files" and "Freaks and Geeks."

LaBeouf as a child on a 1999 episode of "The X-Files."Fox Network/Walt Disney Television

His breakthrough came when he landed the lead role on Disney Channel's "Even Stevens." At the time, he was about 13 years old.

LaBeouf as Louis Stevens in "Even Stevens."Disney Channel

LaBeouf's first major film role was in the 2003 adaptation of "Holes."

LaBeouf and Jon Voight in the 2003 film "Holes."Buena Vista Pictures

Following the success of "Holes," LaBeouf continued acting, appearing in "I, Robot," "Constantine," and other hit films.

LaBeouf and Bernie Mac in "Charlie's Angels: Full Throttle."Columbia Pictures

In 2007, LaBeouf's career was at an all-time high. That year, he starred opposite Megan Fox in the blockbuster action film "Transformers."

Megan Fox and LaBeouf in "Transformers."Paramount Pictures

And in 2008, LaBeouf and Harrison Ford starred in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

Harrison Ford and LaBeouf in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."Paramount Pictures

In the following years, however, LaBeouf would pivot to more indie projects. He appeared in Lars von Trier's "Nymphomaniac," and also directed several short films himself — one of which was accused of plagiarizing another artist.

LaBeouf in "Nymphomaniac."Magnolia Home Entertainment

In the following years, however, LaBeouf would pivot to more indie projects. He appeared in Lars von Trier's "Nymphomaniac," and also directed several short films himself — one of which was accused of plagiarizing another artist.

In February 2013, LaBeouf abruptly departed from a Broadway production.

LaBeouf in 2013.Matthew Eisman/WireImage

LaBeouf was arrested at an unrelated Broadway performance later that year in the summer of 2013.

LaBeouf attends "The Company You Keep" New York Premiere at The Museum of Modern Art on April 1, 2013, in New York City.D Dipasupil/FilmMagic/Getty Images

The actor caused a stir when he wore a paper bag over his head to the 2014 German premiere of "Nymphomaniac."

LaBeouf at the German premiere of "Nymphomaniac" in 2014.Hubert Boesl/Picture Alliance via Getty Images

Later in 2014, LaBeouf earned critical acclaim for his role in David Ayer's WWII drama "Fury."

LaBeouf in "Fury."Sony Pictures

In 2015, LaBeouf starred in Sia's music video for her song "Elastic Heart."

LaBeouf in the music video for "Plastic Heart" by Sia.RCA/Republic/Lionsgate via YouTube

Following his role in the 2016 film "American Honey," LaBeouf had several public outbursts in 2017, with one resulting in another arrest.

LaBeouf's mugshot after the arrest in Georgia.Savannah Police

After a short break from acting, LaBeouf had two critically-acclaimed projects premiere in 2019.

LaBeouf in 2019.Amanda Edwards/Getty Images

LaBeouf's career appeared to once again be on the upswing when he was cast opposite Florence Pugh in Olivia Wilde's film "Don't Worry Darling" in April 2020.

On the left: Florence Pugh in March 2022. On the right: Shia LaBeouf in February 2020.Joel C Ryan/Invision/AP; Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP

But his work in the film "The Tax Collector," which was released in July 2020, generated some controversy.

LaBeouf starred in David Ayer's movie "The Tax Collector."RLJE Films

In September 2020, LaBeouf was charged with battery and petty theft.

LaBeouf attends the 'Borg/McEnroe' premiere during the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival at Roy Thomson Hall on September 7, 2017 in Toronto, Canada.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images

LaBeouf's ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs filed a lawsuit against the actor in December 2020 saying their relationship was abusive.

Singer FKA Twigs and LaBeouf.Getty Images

In December 2020, reports suggested that LaBeouf had actually been fired from Olivia Wilde's film "Don't Worry Darling" and didn't drop out due to scheduling issues, as previously reported.

On the left: Olivia Wilde in January 2020. On the right: LaBeouf in November 2019.Mark Von Holden/Invision/AP; Willy Sanjuan/Invision/AP

In December 2020, reports suggested that LaBeouf had actually been fired from Olivia Wilde's film "Don't Worry Darling" and didn't drop out due to scheduling issues, as previously reported.

In 2021, the actor took a step back from acting to reportedly focus on treatment.

Labeouf in 2020.Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic

In August 2021, LaBeouf's career hiatus seemed to be over after news of his casting as the Italian saint Padre Pio broke.

LaBeouf in 2019.Mike Marsland/WireImage

In late March or early April of 2022, LaBeouf and actress Mia Goth welcomed a child together.

Goth and LaBeouf in 2014.Karwai Tang/Getty Images

LaBeouf broke his silence on his former partners' abuse allegations against him during an appearance on Jon Bernthal's podcast in August 2022. The "Holes" star also said that most of "Honey Boy" is "fucking nonsense."

LaBeouf in 2021.John Phillips/Getty Images

LaBeouf broke his silence on his former partners' abuse allegations against him during an appearance on Jon Bernthal's podcast in August 2022. The "Holes" star also said that most of "Honey Boy" is "fucking nonsense."

The "Transformers" star added fuel to the "Don't Worry Darling" fire in August by claiming that director Wilde had begged him to stay on the film.

LaBeouf and Olivia Wilde.Getty Images

Later that same month, LaBeouf's casting in Francis Ford Coppola's film "Megalopolis" was announced.

LaBeouf in 2019.Steve Granitz/WireImage

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How Shia LaBeouf went from the beloved star of 'Even Stevens' to one of the most controversial actors in Hollywood

Shia LaBeouf was born in Los Angeles in 1986.

LaBeouf began his acting career with bit parts on shows like "The X-Files" and "Freaks and Geeks."

His breakthrough came when he landed the lead role on Disney Channel's "Even Stevens." At the time, he was about 13 years old.

LaBeouf's first major film role was in the 2003 adaptation of "Holes."

Following the success of "Holes," LaBeouf continued acting, appearing in "I, Robot," "Constantine," and other hit films.

In 2007, LaBeouf's career was at an all-time high. That year, he starred opposite Megan Fox in the blockbuster action film "Transformers."

And in 2008, LaBeouf and Harrison Ford starred in "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull."

In the following years, however, LaBeouf would pivot to more indie projects. He appeared in Lars von Trier's "Nymphomaniac," and also directed several short films himself — one of which was accused of plagiarizing another artist.

In February 2013, LaBeouf abruptly departed from a Broadway production.

LaBeouf was arrested at an unrelated Broadway performance later that year in the summer of 2013.

The actor caused a stir when he wore a paper bag over his head to the 2014 German premiere of "Nymphomaniac."

Later in 2014, LaBeouf earned critical acclaim for his role in David Ayer's WWII drama "Fury."

In 2015, LaBeouf starred in Sia's music video for her song "Elastic Heart."

Following his role in the 2016 film "American Honey," LaBeouf had several public outbursts in 2017, with one resulting in another arrest.

After a short break from acting, LaBeouf had two critically-acclaimed projects premiere in 2019.

LaBeouf's career appeared to once again be on the upswing when he was cast opposite Florence Pugh in Olivia Wilde's film "Don't Worry Darling" in April 2020.

But his work in the film "The Tax Collector," which was released in July 2020, generated some controversy.

In September 2020, LaBeouf was charged with battery and petty theft.

LaBeouf's ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs filed a lawsuit against the actor in December 2020 saying their relationship was abusive.

In December 2020, reports suggested that LaBeouf had actually been fired from Olivia Wilde's film "Don't Worry Darling" and didn't drop out due to scheduling issues, as previously reported.

In 2021, the actor took a step back from acting to reportedly focus on treatment.

In August 2021, LaBeouf's career hiatus seemed to be over after news of his casting as the Italian saint Padre Pio broke.

In late March or early April of 2022, LaBeouf and actress Mia Goth welcomed a child together.

LaBeouf broke his silence on his former partners' abuse allegations against him during an appearance on Jon Bernthal's podcast in August 2022. The "Holes" star also said that most of "Honey Boy" is "fucking nonsense."

The "Transformers" star added fuel to the "Don't Worry Darling" fire in August by claiming that director Wilde had begged him to stay on the film.

Later that same month, LaBeouf's casting in Francis Ford Coppola's film "Megalopolis" was announced.