Terrence Howard Tops Nasty Celeb Divorces

Dec. 21, 2011— -- intro: It's hard out there for Terrance Howard.

The "Hustle & Flow" star shares some damning allegations against his estranged wife in new divorce documents, according to TMZ, claiming that she was racist, hurled racial epithets at him and once threated to have him killed by "a lot of Russian friends who would do it as a favor."

TMZ reports that he also claims Michelle Ghent is abusive and twice attacked him with a bottle. He's asked the court to issue a restraining order against her; a hearing is set for Jan. 17.

Earlier this month, Ghent accused Howard of being abusive and received a temporary restraining order against him. According to The Wrap, Ghent claimed in court papers that the actor "became verbally and physically abusive toward me" shortly after their 2010 wedding. (She filed for divorce in February.)

While Howard's divorce may be the ugliest in recent memory, it's far from the first. Below, check out seven other noteworthy divorces and the salvos that make them infamous.

quicklist: 1category: title: Kelsey Grammer vs. Camille Grammerurl: text: At the beginning of this year, Kelsey and Camille Grammer's divorce was shaping up to be a battle of epic proportions with a $100 million fortune built up over 13 years of marriage and no prenup.

But then the erstwhile "Frasier" star and the "Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" cast member lay down their swords -- she had alluded to radio host Howard Stern that her soon-to-be ex-husband liked to cross-dress, while Kelsey refused to comment -- and agreed to expedite their divorce to allow Kelsey Grammer to tie the knot quickly with new girlfriend Kayte Walsh.

They were still working out the final financial details and custody arrangements -- they have two children -- at the end of this year, but Kelsey says his biggest parting gift to his ex was agreeing to do the Bravo reality show.

"That was a way of saying, Here's what you always wanted, I'm gone," the Emmy winner told GMA. "With my grace, go have that famous life you wanted."

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quicklist: category: title: Jon Gosselin vs. Kate Gosselinurl: text: After the couple, made famous (and then infamous) by TLC's "Jon & Kate Plus 8," split up in 2009, she cried about the mess their family had become, and he accused her of exploiting their kids. When she signed on to "Dancing With the Stars," his lawyer called Kate "an absentee mom"; her lawyer shot back, "He's out of the limelight, while 23 million people are watching Kate on 'Dancing with the Stars.'"

Still single, Kate continues to grab headlines even after her reality show "Kate Plus 8" was cancelled, while Jon has quietly settled into a new relationship with his latest gal pal, Ellen Ross.

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quicklist: category: title: Heather Mills vs. Paul McCartneyurl: text: To vent after his volatile divorce from Heather Mills, which ended with him writing her a check for $48.7 million, Paul McCartney took to the medium he knows best. In November 2008, he released the scathing song "Nothing Too Much, Just Out of Sight," featuring the rants, "The last thing you do was to try and betray me/ In new morning light/ I'll never forget it/ And that's just outta sight," and "And you have money/ And no manners." Ouch.

McCartney recently married for the third time to New York businesswomanNancy Shevell.

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quicklist: category: title: Christie Brinkley vs. Peter Cookurl: text: It's bad enough finding out about a husband's affair. Having to hear all the gory details divulged in court -- that can be nauseating, especially in the case of Christie Brinkley and Peter Cook. Their July 2008 divorce proceedings featured a torrent of torrid tales, including Cook's tearful admission that he enjoyed oral sex with his then-18-year-old assistant Diana Bianchi and his fondness for masturbating via webcam. No wonder Brinkley told Ladies' Home Journal, "I would never get married again" in July 2009. "With what I know, I don't see why anyone would get married," she added.

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quicklist: category: title: Charlie Sheen vs. Denise Richardsurl: text: Charlie Sheen and Denise Richards' years-long back-and-forth made their divorce the subject of countless tabloid headlines, but the faux pas that took the cake came in June 2008, when Richards released a three-year-old, expletive-laced voice message from Sheen. The highlight: a curse-filled rant from Sheen calling his ex-wife -- and the mother of their two daughters, Sam and Lola -- a "f**king c**t" and a "f**king n****r." Sheen, star of "Two and a Half Men," followed up by releasing an apology for what he called his "choice of words."

The pair are on better terms for the sake of their daughters. Richards recently revealed she'll see Sheen over the holidays since he's considered part of the family.

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quicklist: category: title: Madonna vs. Guy Ritchieurl: text: After trying to cover up their divorce for weeks, once Madonna and Guy Ritchie went public with the news in October 2008, the mud-slinging started in earnest. She took a swipe at him at a sold-out concert in Boston, introducing the song "Miles Away, " which was inspired by her relationship with Ritchie, by quipping, "This song is for the emotionally retarded. Maybe you know some people who fall into that category. God knows I do." Ritchie fought back via an interview with Esquire magazine, calling Madonna "retarded" while admitting he still loves her.

Perhaps so, but Ritchie recently had a baby boy with his girlfriend, model Jacqui Ainsley, 29, while Madonna continues to play the field.

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quicklist: category: title: Kim Basinger vs. Alec Baldwinurl: text: Kim Basinger and Alec Baldwin's divorce drama paled in comparison to the fireworks set off during the custody battle over their daughter, Ireland. In the sixth year of the drawn-out fight, Baldwin called the then-11-year-old Ireland for a court-approved chat, but got her voicemail. He wasn't happy. "You are a rude, thoughtless little pig," Baldwin said in the message leaked on TMZ.com in April 2007. "You have humiliated me for the last time." Baldwin apologized in statement but alleged that Basinger leaked the tape. She refuted his claim, and Baldwin temporarily lost visitation rights.

These days, Baldwin appears transformed -- he's slimmer and smiles more too -- since he began dating his 27-year-old yoga instructor, Hilaria Thomas.

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