Fred Durst

One of the most polarizing figures in the rock scene of the late 1990s into the early 2000s, Fred Durst was the front man for the platinum-selling "nu-metal" outfit, Limp Bizkit. A former tattooist by trade, Durst formed the group in 1994 and within a few years, earned a rabid following with aggressive, hard-driving songs like "Nookie," "Break Stuff" and "Re-arranged." Durst's songs, which blended elements of hip-hop with heavier metal riffs, found favor with younger male audiences, but were largely dismissed by the mainstream media as vacuous posturing. He also won few admirers for his boorish stage presence, most notably at the 1999 Woodstock event, and for incendiary comments about fellow rock acts like Creed and Slipknot. Such behavior eventually turned the tide against Durst, who was already on the ropes for an alleged relationship with pop star Britney Spears and a much-publicized sex tape. With Limp Bizkit's fortunes in decline, Durst fell back on second and third careers as an actor and video director, which began during his tenure with the group. He eventually made his way into features, which was launched in earnest with the surprisingly kid-friendly comedy "The Longshots" in 2008. While he waited for his next directorial assignment to take shape, Durst and the original members of Limp Bizkit reunited for an album and tour in 2011. Love him or hate him, Durst was a determined self-promoter who refused to stay down for the count.