15 Celebrities Accused of Domestic Violence

Allegations involving celebrities are often widely reported and closely scrutinized. Cases can involve criminal charges, civil suits, restraining orders, or arrests that never lead to prosecution. Outcomes vary, and in many instances the legal process ends with no conviction or with charges reduced or dismissed.

This list looks at public accusations and the documented outcomes that followed. It includes criminal cases, court filings, and instances where video evidence surfaced. Each entry notes what was alleged, when it happened, and what courts or prosecutors ultimately decided.

Chris Brown

In February 2009 Chris Brown was arrested after an assault involving singer Rihanna that took place in Los Angeles. He later entered a felony guilty plea for assault. The court ordered five years of probation, community labor, and completion of a domestic violence program.

In 2017 a Los Angeles judge granted a five year restraining order to actress and model Karrueche Tran after she alleged threats and prior abuse. The restraining order required Brown to stay away from Tran and surrender firearms in his possession.

Mel Gibson

In January 2010 Oksana Grigorieva alleged that Mel Gibson assaulted her during an argument at his home. Prosecutors filed a misdemeanor battery charge based on the incident.

In March 2011 Gibson pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery. The court imposed three years of probation, community service, and a yearlong domestic violence counseling program. Custody and financial matters with Grigorieva were resolved in family court.

Tommy Lee

In 1998 Pamela Anderson reported an assault by Tommy Lee that occurred at their Malibu home. He was arrested and later entered a plea related to felony spousal battery.

A judge sentenced Lee to six months in county jail along with probation and counseling requirements. Family court orders concerning contact and parenting time followed as part of the broader case.

Jonathan Majors

New York police arrested Jonathan Majors in March 2023 after an incident involving his then partner. Prosecutors charged him with multiple misdemeanors, including assault and harassment.

In December 2023 a Manhattan jury convicted him of misdemeanor assault and harassment. In April 2024 the court ordered him to complete a domestic violence intervention program and to comply with a protection order. He did not receive a jail sentence in that case.

Charlie Sheen

On December 25, 2009 police in Aspen arrested Charlie Sheen following a domestic dispute with Brooke Mueller. He was charged with misdemeanors that included third degree assault.

In August 2010 Sheen accepted a plea agreement to a misdemeanor assault count. The sentence included rehabilitation, probation, and court ordered classes. The case closed after completion of those terms.

O. J. Simpson

Police records show multiple responses to domestic disturbance calls at the home of O. J. Simpson and Nicole Brown Simpson in the late 1980s. In 1989 he was charged with spousal abuse.

Simpson entered a no contest plea in 1989 and received probation and community service. The conviction and police history were part of the public record years before the later criminal and civil cases that followed her death.

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

In 2010 authorities alleged that Floyd Mayweather Jr. assaulted the mother of his children during an incident at her home. The case led to misdemeanor charges in Las Vegas.

In December 2011 Mayweather pleaded guilty to misdemeanor domestic battery and no contest to harassment. He served jail time in 2012 and completed court ordered programs. Court records also show earlier misdemeanor domestic violence convictions in 2002 and 2004.

Amber Heard

In 2009 Amber Heard was arrested at Seattle Tacoma International Airport after an altercation with her then partner Tasya van Ree. She was booked on a misdemeanor domestic violence allegation.

Prosecutors declined to pursue the case and the charge was dismissed. Years later both Heard and van Ree stated that the incident had been misinterpreted, and the airport police report remained the only record from that matter.

Nicolas Cage

In April 2011 New Orleans police arrested Nicolas Cage after a street argument that involved his wife. He was booked on suspicion of domestic abuse battery and disturbing the peace.

The Orleans Parish district attorney later declined to prosecute. The charges were dropped and the case was closed without a conviction or court ordered programs.

Josh Brolin

In December 2004 police arrested Josh Brolin at the home he shared with actress Diane Lane after a 911 call. He was booked on a misdemeanor domestic battery allegation.

Lane chose not to press charges and prosecutors did not proceed. The arrest did not result in a criminal case and no conviction was entered. The matter ended with no further court action.

Dr. Dre

Singer Michel’le has stated in interviews and filings that Dr. Dre abused her during their relationship in the late 1980s and early 1990s. She described injuries and medical treatment that she attributed to incidents at home.

In 2015 Dr. Dre issued a public apology to women he said he had hurt in the past. No criminal domestic violence conviction involving Michel’le was entered, and the allegations remained part of the public record through interviews and civil accounts.

Axl Rose

In the early 1990s model Erin Everly filed a civil lawsuit alleging physical and emotional abuse by Axl Rose during their relationship. Model Stephanie Seymour also filed a civil suit that alleged assault and battery.

Court records show that the cases were resolved through settlements rather than trials. No criminal convictions arose from those filings, and the civil matters concluded with confidentiality terms.

Terrence Howard

In 2001 police arrested Terrence Howard after an incident involving his then wife Lori McCommas. The case was handled as a misdemeanor and records show a plea to a lesser count.

In 2010 his second wife Michelle Ghent obtained a restraining order that alleged abuse. Court filings and transcripts documented the order and later disputes about its terms, and the parties eventually resolved their matters outside of a criminal trial.

Sean “Diddy” Combs

In 2023 singer Cassie Ventura filed a civil lawsuit against Sean Combs that alleged years of abuse. The parties announced a settlement the following day and the civil case closed.

In May 2016 hotel surveillance video later made public in 2024 showed Combs assaulting Ventura in a hallway. After the video aired he released a public apology. No criminal conviction resulted from that incident, and no criminal case was filed based on the video.

XXXTentacion

In 2016 prosecutors in Florida charged rapper XXXTentacion, born Jahseh Onfroy, with counts that included aggravated battery of a pregnant woman, domestic battery by strangulation, and false imprisonment. The charges stemmed from allegations made by his then girlfriend.

He was awaiting trial on those charges when he was killed in 2018. After his death prosecutors dismissed the case because a defendant cannot be tried posthumously, and no verdict was reached on the allegations.

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