Shia LaBeouf has experienced a number of ups and downs in his 31 years of life. It’s near impossible to even characterize him. Child actor, indie film star, blockbuster celebrity, (dubious) performance artist, raging maniac—these are all apt descriptions for Mr. LaBeouf. And whether he’s acting out on purpose as a (barely-passable) form of art, or he’s seriously losing it, he knows how to keep our attention.
Just recently, Shia stepped back into the spotlight for a profile in Esquire, where he apologized for some of his past behavior, spoke about an upcoming film where he will play his father, and revealed that Kanye West stole all of his clothes. That last one might seem out of left field, but a deep dive into how Kanye’s wardrobe seems to continue to mirror Shia’s looks makes the claim believable. Also, Shia definitely did give the rapper his hat from Indiana Jones. Clearly, his influence expands beyond those “irrelevant” Transformers movies.
But whether Shia is being lauded for being a style icon, appearing in artsy, NSFW music videos, having sex in art-house films, or staging some intriguing art performances where he claims not to be famous anymore, it’s undeniable that the man has a dark side. From drunken rants to multiple arrests to incoherent interviews, Shia is known for questionable behavior.
It’s no surprise then, that his career on and off screen has been filled with controversy. He has offended many and shucked responsibility for his actions more than once, and while he is apologetic about his past, the jury is still out on whether or not Shia has really turned a new leaf. Until his next “episode,” here are all of Shia LaBeouf’s most controversial moments.