9 Celebrity Stalkers and How They Got Caught

Celebrities live their lives under a spotlight that never seems to switch off. Magazines and entertainment sites churn out gossip about even the smallest moments, while paparazzi trail them to film sets, family gatherings, and sometimes even private medical visits. Yet the most terrifying challenge many celebrities face is not the constant publicity. It is the threat of obsessive stalkers.

Some people struggle to respect boundaries or to understand that celebrities do not owe them personal access. Others develop dangerous fixations that lead them to stalk, harass, or even attempt to harm the person they idolize or despise. These situations can escalate quickly, leaving celebrities and their families feeling constantly on edge.

Stalking itself is far more common than most people realize. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, nearly six million people reported being victims of stalking in a single year. And it is not limited to following someone in public. Stalking can take many forms, including online harassment, repeated unwanted phone calls or emails, and leaving disturbing or unsolicited items at a person’s home or workplace.

Ready to explore the chilling world of celebrity stalking cases? Click through the slideshow to see how these stalkers operated, how the victims responded, and the ways authorities eventually caught them. This information is based on a review of entertainment reporting, legal records, and credible news sources.

When Miley Cyrus was only about 17 to 18 years old, she was stalked by Mark McLeod. On multiple occasions, the man tried to contact and get close to Miley, claiming they were meant to be together. In 2009, the 53-year-old stalker attempted to break through a security perimeter on the set of "The Last Song". He was arrested that same year.

Miley Cyrus has, unfortunately, been stalked publicly multiple times. Another terrifying encounter was with Jason Rivera. In 2012, he was discovered hiding in the bushes in front of her home. She wasn't home at the time. To try to explain why he was sitting in the bushes, he said that they were friends and also married. Cyrus filed a restraining order against him, and he was sentenced to 18 months in jail for trespassing. At the time of his arrest, he was found with a pair of scissors.

It's got to be scary being a celebrity, as you never know who has bad intentions. Taylor Swift has been stalked multiple times, although we are specifically referencing Frank Edward Hoover. For months, he sent threatening emails to Swift's father. He also stalked Swift at an event in 2016, resulting in a restraining order. He broke this order, which led to his arrest. Hoover was charged with stalking and repeatedly violating the order.

Imagine meeting or getting a letter from someone you've never met who swears you two are dating. Well, this isn't uncommon for celebrities. One case involved Rihanna and her stalker, Kevin McGlynn. In 2013, McGlynn hand-delivered letters to her home. The letters discussed sexual assault and a long list of delusions. The third time he visited her apartment, he dropped his business card, which led the police to him.

Uma Thurman just can't catch a break. She was stalked on multiple occasions by the same person, even after he was arrested (Jack Jordan). In 2008, Jordan was convicted of stalking her after violating the restraining order. He was arrested again in 2010.

Although it may seem like it so far, female celebrities aren't the only ones at risk for stalking. George Harrison has also had his fair share of stalkers, including a super terrifying encounter with Michael Abram. In 1999, in his home, Harrison woke up to loud sounds as Abram broke into his home. He was then beaten and stabbed. However, the police arrived quickly. Still, both Harrison and his wife sustained injuries, including a collapsed lung and multiple stab wounds. So, why did this stalker attack? Well, Abram claimed it was a mission from God.

Quite a few people believe that God sends them to finish missions surrounding celebrities like Karen McNeil. In 2009, Justin Timberlake had quite the scare as McNeil showed up to his home in L.A. In her ramblings, she also claimed the "Babylon witches" made her do it. Timberlake requested a restraining order, which was granted quickly.

Poor Sandra Bullock. How was she supposed to know that a stalker had been staying in her yard, lurking and waiting for days? In 2014, after stalking her home for days, Corbett scaled her fence and entered her home. Luckily, Bullock noticed his presence and was able to hide in a closet and call the cops for help, unnoticed. He was arrested shortly after the call and was found with a note that read "You are my wife by law, the law of God, and belong to me."

Robert Dewey Hoskins stalked and threatened Madonna for years. It began in 1995 when Hoskins claimed repeatedly that he and Madonna were married, threatening and yelling at her bodyguards. He even managed to break into her home, but was shot twice before he could go far. Hoskins was charged and sentenced to 10 years in jail. The nightmare didn't end there. In 2012, Hoskins escaped from his mental facility, striking worry in Madonna. However, he was captured quickly.