The 9 Most Embarrassing Celebrity Relatives

Image via Complex Original

Having an embarrassing relative sucks (no one ever loves having to apologize for their creepy-ass uncle). Having an embarrassing relative when you’re already under public scrutiny? Infinitely worse.

Just when audiences have finally let you off the hook for being overtly blazed during that interview, or for that other questionable behavior you questionably partook in with questionable Lohans, your idiot sibling decides it’s the perfect time to go ahead and threaten cops with their dog. Or at least that’s what happened to actor Terrence Howard, whose less-cared-about brother Antonio recently screwed the pooch and scored himself three to 23 months in prison. If only you could leash your relatives.

Inspired by Antonio Howard's criminal menacing, we give you our list honoring fucked-up celebrity brethren, who share blood—but clearly not smarts—with their A-list counterparts. After all, these black sheep could only be kept locked away in the basement for so long.

9. HANIA BARTON

Sister of: Mischa Barton

To be fair, Mischa might not exactly be a portrait of excellence, herself. Word on the street is she’s currently hawking Chinese sex toys, perhaps to cover some of the $90K-plus medical bills she owes to a nursing company for “unspecified treatments.” (Really, that’s it?)

However, in what might be seen by some as a competition for the title of “Most Undesirable Barton,” Hania, not to be outdone by Mischa’s DUI only hours earlier, was taken to the hospital after reportedly ODing on muscle relaxers. Oh, and this all took place just after Christmas. We can only imagine the family greeting card.

8. BARRON HILTON

Brother of: Paris Hilton


The part-time actress, full-time partygirl’s lifestyle seems to have rubbed off on her kid brother—and not for the better. In 2008, the heiress’ sloshed sibling was arrested for a DUI after he was said to have been driving erratically on the road, ultimately ramming some unfortunate gas station employee with his Mercedes while pulling over.

In addition to having his fake ID confiscated that day (like this brat doesn’t attempt a “Do you know who I am?” on every Cali bouncer/liquor store clerk), Barron’s also been blown up in the past by the gossip blogs for some of the hard-partying Facebook photos he’s unwisely chosen to post, which only further seem to confirm his probable douchiness.

7. ANTONIO HOWARD

Brother of: Terrence Howard

Apparently douchiness runs in the Howard family. Terrence, who’s turned heads on multiple occasions with his notoriously arrogant Q&As, was recently outshined by his brother, who decided to “keep it real” by threatening the cops with his dog when they came to investigate a domestic disturbance. The agitated pooch ultimately wound up attacking his wife instead, just after the police hauled him away.

He now faces three to 23 months in prison, four years’ probation, and 100 hours of community service, thus concluding another edition of When Keeping it Real Goes Wrong.

6. DARRYL MCCAULEY

Brother of: Dane Cook

The only thing worse than a sibling who borrows your shit without telling you: A sibling who borrows, oh, around $3 million after forging themselves a nice fat check from your account.

That’s exactly what Darryl did after his famous half-brother-from-a-shared-mother was gracious enough to let him ride his coattails as his business manager. Adding further insult to injury, the comedian’s sketchy sibling allegedly used some of the cash to buy himself several cars and take a sweet road trip across the country—without even thinking to invite Dane!

He’s since been sentenced to prison. Karma, she can be a bitch.

5. TOVE CHRISTENSEN

Brother of: Hayden Christensen


Speeding off in your car after a fight? Seems normal. Speeding off in a car with your girlfriend helplessly attached to it? Not so much.

Anakin Skywalker’s film producer brother got slapped with a charge of assault with a deadly weapon after he reportedly dragged his lady love close to 30 feet. According to witnesses, a fight broke out between the two and Tove pushed her to the ground before hopping into his ride. Just as she reached inside for her purse, he decided to hit the gas. Police arrested him at his house later that day.

Sounds like a real lady-killer.

4. GABRIEL CANNON

Brother of: Nick Cannon

Talk about bad timing. Though Nick Cannon and wife Mariah are gearing up to welcome their forthcoming (and destined-to-be-irritating) spawn into the world, it’s unlikely his younger brother will be partaking in the celebration festivities. According to the LAPD, Gabriel was taken into custody after an attempt to steal video equipment and jewelry from a group of individuals in Studio City last month.

Come on, man! We’re sure Nick’s Wild 'N Out money runs long; he probably would’ve bought you a camera if you asked. Come to think of it, maybe Nick and Mariah bonded over their mutually screwed up siblings (we’ll get to Mimi’s in a bit).

3. CHRIS BROSNAN

Son of: Pierce Brosnan

In a bout of very un-Bond-like behavior, Pierce’s adopted son was arrested at a London nightclub on suspicion of possessing stolen cell phones. (Really?) After a subsequent arrest for heroin possession, his 007 dad publicly cut him off and disowned him.

Though we can’t quite wrap our heads around which portion of this chain of events made him feel like enough of a catch to opt onto a reality dating show shortly after, we’re fairly certain that the resulting Octopussy was scarce.

2. JOHN DRAPER WITHERSPOON

Brother of: Reese Witherspoon


The integrity of Hollywood’s golden girl fortunately wasn’t tarnished by her sleazebag sibling after his arrest in 2002. John Draper, the elder brother of the Walk the Line star, pretty much crossed the line of date rape after being brought to court for letting himself into a sleeping neighbor’s house, who awoke to find him feeling her up and trying to remove her clothes. What would Elle Woods say about this?

1. ALISON CAREY SCOTT

Sister of: Mariah Carey


This beat-looking version of Mariah—actually, let’s be honest, time hasn’t been too kind to the Precious actress, either—has been arrested not once, but twice for prostitution. However, Alison has insisted to the press that when it comes to her clients, she draws the line at “personal companionship and erotic body rubs.” Right.

After being tracked down by the Enquirer, the former drug addict confessed that she was forced into her line of ($250 an hour) escort work due to her heartless family’s refusal to help her out financially. Damn, can’t Mariah toss her down-and-out sister a bone?