Famous Actors With Criminal Records

From tabloid headlines to courtroom transcripts, the private lives of stars can collide with the legal system in ways that surprise audiences. While fame often magnifies mistakes, it also spotlights stories of accountability, rehabilitation, and the complicated human beings behind our favorite performances. Some careers stalled; others rebounded after hard reckonings and second chances.

This list looks at well-known actors who have criminal records—ranging from misdemeanors to serious felonies—and how those moments intersected with their public personas. It isn’t about relitigating the past as much as understanding how legal trouble shaped reputations, roles, and the narratives these performers carry with them on and off screen.

Robert Downey Jr.

Before anchoring blockbusters like ‘Iron Man’, Robert Downey Jr. was already known as a dazzling talent who could light up everything from indie dramas to ensemble comedies. His career has since become a touchstone for Hollywood comebacks, blending charisma with hard-won maturity.

Downey’s legal issues in the late 1990s included drug possession and related probation violations, which led to stints in jail and court-ordered treatment. He ultimately turned his life around, crediting sobriety and steady work as the foundation for a celebrated return to the top of the industry.

Mark Wahlberg

Mark Wahlberg transitioned from music to acting with acclaimed turns in films like ‘Boogie Nights’ and crowd-pleasing action hits. His trajectory from teen fame to veteran producer and leading man is one of the more unusual career arcs in Hollywood.

As a teenager, Wahlberg was convicted in an assault case and served time. He has spoken publicly about his past, philanthropy, and efforts to support at-risk youth, framing that early conviction as a pivotal lesson that influenced his adult life and career.

Tim Allen

Known to many as the affable star of ‘Home Improvement’ and a frequent voice in family franchises, Tim Allen built a persona rooted in approachable humor. His stand-up and sitcom work made him a reliable household name.

Earlier in life, Allen was convicted on a serious drug charge and served a prison sentence. After his release, he rebuilt his career through comedy, television, and film, often acknowledging that his second act was possible only because he left that chapter decisively behind.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes became an action icon with roles in ‘Blade’ and stylish thrillers that showcased his martial arts background and screen presence. He brought athleticism and intensity to both mainstream blockbusters and character-driven stories.

Snipes was convicted of failing to file federal income tax returns and served time before returning to acting. His post-incarceration work underlined both resilience and renewed discipline, with projects that reminded audiences of his star power.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder’s blend of indie cred and mainstream appeal—from ‘Beetlejuice’ to ‘Girl, Interrupted’—made her a defining figure of a generation. She later enjoyed a major resurgence on television with ‘Stranger Things’.

Ryder was convicted in a high-profile shoplifting case, receiving probation and community service. She stepped away from the spotlight for a period, then returned with roles that emphasized her range and helped reframe her image for a new era.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf emerged from child stardom to headline action spectacles and experimental indies, from ‘Transformers’ to auteur-driven projects. His risk-taking has often extended beyond the screen into performance art and deeply personal storytelling.

LaBeouf has multiple misdemeanor convictions tied to disorderly conduct and related incidents. He later spoke about seeking treatment and attempting to confront behavioral and substance issues, with some subsequent work reflecting that ongoing reckoning.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan’s early roles in ‘Mean Girls’ and ‘Freaky Friday’ cemented her as a gifted comic lead with sharp timing. Her visibility made career shifts—and personal challenges—unusually public.

Lohan faced multiple misdemeanor convictions, including DUIs and a theft case, alongside probation violations that led to jail time and court-ordered programs. In recent years she has pursued a steadier path, returning to acting and entrepreneurship while emphasizing stability.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson’s filmography spans epochal hits like ‘Braveheart’ as well as acclaimed directing efforts. His star power and behind-the-camera success made him one of the most recognizable figures in entertainment.

Gibson pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor DUI, an incident that, alongside other controversies, affected his professional standing. Over time he found selective opportunities to reenter the mainstream, with projects that sparked debate about redemption and accountability.

Christian Slater

Christian Slater broke out with cult favorites like ‘Heathers’ and pivoted between film and television with charismatic, edgy roles. He later earned acclaim on the small screen in series like ‘Mr. Robot’.

Slater’s legal troubles included a late-1990s assault case and substance-related violations that resulted in jail time and mandated treatment. Subsequent years saw a steadier personal chapter and consistent work that reminded audiences of his early promise.

Michelle Rodriguez

Michelle Rodriguez exploded onto the scene with ‘Girlfight’ and became an action staple through franchises like ‘Fast & Furious’. Her tough, grounded performances helped reshape expectations for women in high-octane roles.

Rodriguez’s criminal record includes DUI convictions and probation violations that led to brief jail stints. She has spoken about sobriety and discipline, and her continued success reflects a determined focus on craft and physical preparation.

Paul Reubens

Paul Reubens, beloved for ‘Pee-wee’s Big Adventure’ and the ‘Pee-wee Herman’ persona, crafted a singular comedic universe that influenced generations of oddball humor. His work blended childlike whimsy with meticulous character detail.

Reubens faced two separate legal incidents years apart, including a no-contest plea related to indecent exposure and a later misdemeanor obscenity case resolved through a plea. He kept a relatively low profile for stretches but eventually returned with performances that highlighted his precise comedic instincts.

Danny Trejo

From ‘Machete’ to scene-stealing supporting turns, Danny Trejo’s formidable presence and gravelly warmth made him a cult hero. Off-screen, he became known for community work and frankness about his past.

Trejo’s criminal record stretches back to youth, including armed robbery and drug offenses that led to prison time. He has long credited recovery, mentorship, and a chance meeting on a film set for redirecting his life toward acting and advocacy.

Felicity Huffman

Felicity Huffman earned respect with layered performances in projects like ‘Transamerica’ and the ensemble hit ‘Desperate Housewives’. Her stage and screen work marked her as a meticulous, emotionally precise actor.

Huffman pleaded guilty in the college admissions case to a federal conspiracy charge, served a short sentence, and completed supervised release and community service. She later resumed acting, acknowledging the harm caused and the need to rebuild trust.

Lori Loughlin

Best known to many from ‘Full House’ and its revival, Lori Loughlin cultivated a wholesome on-screen image that extended into family-friendly TV movies. That brand made later headlines particularly jarring.

Loughlin pleaded guilty in the college admissions case to conspiracy charges and served a short prison term. Her public return has been gradual, with cautious steps back into work and ongoing efforts to repair her standing.

Stephen Fry

Stephen Fry’s career spans ‘Wilde’, ‘V for Vendetta’, and a wealth of comedy, panel shows, and documentaries. Known for erudition and wit, he became a cultural fixture well beyond acting.

As a teenager, Fry served time following a credit card fraud conviction. He has discussed the episode—and his later bipolar diagnosis—openly, folding candor about mental health and past mistakes into his public advocacy.

Tom Sizemore

Tom Sizemore’s intense turns in war and crime dramas like ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘Heat’ made him a go-to for volatility and grit. His off-screen struggles often mirrored the turmoil of his characters.

Sizemore had multiple convictions, including a domestic violence case and drug-related violations that led to jail time and probation. Despite periodic career resurgences, his legal and personal battles remained a through line until his death.

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland reinvented himself for a new generation with ’24’, channeling steely resolve into one of TV’s most recognizable heroes. He has also maintained a steady film and stage presence.

Sutherland served jail time after a DUI conviction tied to a probation violation. He later emphasized accountability and returned to steady work, including music and television projects that tapped into his disciplined persona.

Charles S. Dutton

Charles S. Dutton won acclaim in ‘Rudy’, ‘Alien 3’, and the series ‘Roc’, bringing a grounded, commanding presence to every role. His biography is as dramatic as any script he’s performed.

Dutton was convicted of manslaughter as a young man and served a lengthy prison sentence. He discovered acting while incarcerated, ultimately building a distinguished career and becoming a vocal advocate for education and the arts.

Michael Jace

Michael Jace earned recognition for roles in ‘The Shield’ and other television dramas, often portraying complex or authoritative figures. His screen work was overshadowed by a later, tragic case.

Jace was convicted of second-degree murder in the killing of his wife and received a lengthy prison sentence. His case stands among the most serious criminal convictions involving a working television actor.

Ezra Miller

Ezra Miller has appeared in large-scale franchises like ‘Justice League’ and intimate indies, cultivating a reputation for bold, unconventional choices on screen. Their off-screen life has drawn intense public scrutiny.

Miller pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor unlawful trespass charge in a Vermont case and received probation as part of a plea deal. They have since issued statements about seeking help, with future career steps watched closely by fans and industry observers alike.

Share your thoughts respectfully below: Which cases surprised you, and how do you think accountability and second chances should shape the roles these actors take next?