Celebs Whose Parents Are Criminals

You might think celebrities grow up in perfect families with everything handed to them on a silver platter. But many stars have faced tough times because of their parents’ choices that led to legal troubles. These stories show how some famous people overcame difficult beginnings to build successful careers in entertainment.

From actors to musicians and athletes, this list looks at celebs who dealt with parents involved in serious crimes. Their experiences vary from drug-related offenses to violent acts, and they often had to navigate complicated family dynamics early on.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan started her career as a child model before landing roles in films like ‘The Parent Trap’ and ‘Mean Girls’. Her father Michael Lohan worked as a Wall Street trader but faced multiple arrests over the years. He served time for insider trading after a conviction in 1990 and later dealt with charges related to driving under the influence.

Michael Lohan spent several stints in prison including for violating probation and assault. Lindsay has spoken about how her father’s legal issues affected their relationship during her teenage years. She continued to pursue acting and music while managing family challenges.

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson gained fame through his role on the TV show ‘Cheers’ and later starred in movies like ‘The Hunger Games’ series. His father Charles Harrelson worked as a hitman and got convicted for murdering a federal judge in 1979. Charles received two life sentences for that crime.

Charles Harrelson had earlier served time for another murder in 1968 before his release in 1978. Woody learned about his father’s criminal life through news reports as a child. He visited his father in prison a few times before Charles died there in 2007.

Leighton Meester

Leighton Meester became known for playing Blair Waldorf on ‘Gossip Girl’ and has appeared in films like ‘The Roommate’. Her mother Constance Meester participated in a drug smuggling operation involving marijuana from Jamaica to the United States. Constance served time in federal prison for those charges.

Leighton was born while her mother was serving her sentence and spent her early months in a halfway house. Both of Leighton’s parents faced convictions related to the drug ring. She moved in with her grandparents during that period and later pursued modeling and acting.

Tupac Shakur

Tupac Shakur rose to prominence as a rapper with albums like ‘All Eyez on Me’ and acted in films such as ‘Poetic Justice’. His mother Afeni Shakur belonged to the Black Panther Party and faced charges of conspiracy against the government. Afeni spent time in jail while pregnant with Tupac.

Afeni Shakur got acquitted of all charges shortly before Tupac’s birth in 1971. She raised him mostly on her own amid financial struggles. Tupac often referenced his mother’s activism and legal battles in his music and interviews.

Drew Barrymore

Drew Barrymore began acting as a child in ‘E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial’ and later hosted her own talk show. Her father John Drew Barrymore had a history of arrests for drunk driving and possession of marijuana. John also faced charges for domestic abuse.

John Drew Barrymore served jail time for various offenses including public intoxication in the 1960s. Drew had limited contact with her father throughout her life. She emancipated herself from her parents at age 14 to focus on her career.

Hayden Panettiere

Hayden Panettiere starred as a child in soap operas and later played Juliette Barnes on ‘Nashville’. Her father Alan “Skip” Panettiere worked as a firefighter and got arrested for domestic violence in 2008. Skip faced charges for hitting his wife during an argument.

Skip Panettiere pleaded no contest to misdemeanor battery and received probation. Hayden’s parents divorced a few years after the incident. She continued her acting career while dealing with family changes.

Hope Solo

Hope Solo achieved success as a goalkeeper for the U.S. women’s national soccer team winning Olympic gold medals. Her father Jeffrey Solo served time for embezzlement before her birth. Jeffrey conceived Hope during a conjugal visit in prison.

Jeffrey Solo later kidnapped Hope and her brother when they were children leading to another arrest. Hope credits her father with introducing her to soccer despite his legal troubles. She wrote about their complicated relationship in her memoir.

Kimora Lee Simmons

Kimora Lee Simmons started as a fashion model and later launched her own clothing line Baby Phat. Her father Vernon Whitlock Jr. worked as a federal marshal but later dealt drugs. Vernon served time in prison after convictions related to narcotics.

Vernon Whitlock Jr. received a 24-year sentence but got released after cooperating with authorities. Kimora grew up in St. Louis and entered modeling at a young age. She has built a business empire in fashion and beauty.

Keanu Reeves

Keanu Reeves starred in action films like ‘The Matrix’ trilogy and the ‘John Wick’ series. His father Samuel Nowlin Reeves Jr. got arrested for selling heroin at an airport in 1992. Samuel served two years of a ten-year sentence.

Samuel Reeves struggled with addiction and left the family when Keanu was young. Keanu moved around with his mother and sisters during childhood. He began acting in theater productions before breaking into movies.

Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler gained fame as a contestant on ‘American Idol’ and released country music albums. Her father Clyde “Bo” Pickler Jr. served multiple prison terms for assault and battery. Clyde stabbed a neighbor in 2003 leading to a three-year sentence.

Kellie’s mother Cynthia Morton faced convictions for prescription forgery. Kellie lived with her grandparents during much of her childhood. She pursued singing and competed in beauty pageants as a teen.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj became a top rapper with hits like ‘Anaconda’ and albums such as ‘Pink Friday’. Her father Robert Maraj struggled with addiction and set their house on fire in 1987. Robert attempted to kill Nicki’s mother during that incident.

Robert Maraj also dragged Nicki’s mother during a violent episode. Nicki moved from Trinidad to New York as a child. She studied acting in high school before focusing on music.

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire played Peter Parker in the ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy and appeared in ‘The Great Gatsby’. His father Vincent Maguire robbed a bank in 1993 without a disguise. Vincent served two years in prison for the crime.

Vincent Maguire committed the robbery to support his family after personal hardships. Tobey became the main provider for his household as a teen actor. He started with commercials before landing major roles.

Terrence Howard

Terrence Howard starred in ‘Hustle & Flow’ and played Lucious Lyon on ‘Empire’. His father Tyrone Howard stabbed a man during an altercation in 1971. Tyrone served 11 months for manslaughter in the incident known as the Santa Line Slaying.

Tyrone Howard got paroled after his sentence. Terrence witnessed the event as a child. He pursued music and acting after serving in the military.

Jackie Chan

Jackie Chan became famous for martial arts films like ‘Rush Hour’ and ‘Shanghai Noon’. His mother Lee-Lee Chan sold opium in Shanghai during the 1940s. Lee-Lee faced arrest but got released by an officer who later became her husband.

Jackie’s father Charles Chan worked in law enforcement and had ties to underground activities. Jackie trained at a drama academy in Hong Kong as a child. He performed stunts in films before starring in them.

Lily Allen

Lily Allen released pop albums like ‘Alright, Still’ and wrote songs such as ‘Smile’. Her father Keith Allen committed theft and vandalism in his youth. Keith served time in a detention center at age 15.

Keith Allen used drugs and involved his children in his lifestyle. Lily grew up in London and attended several schools. She began singing and signed a record deal as a teen.

Demi Moore

Demi Moore starred in films like ‘Ghost’ and ‘A Few Good Men’. Her mother Virginia Guynes faced arrests for drunk driving and arson. Virginia served time for those offenses.

Demi’s stepfather Dan Guynes committed suicide after separating from her mother. Demi dropped out of high school to model and act. She married young and built a successful career.

Tyga

Tyga gained fame as a rapper with songs like ‘Rack City’ and collaborated with artists like Chris Brown. His father Stevie J. Stevenson received a life sentence for kidnapping and other crimes. Stevie has been in prison since 1991.

Tyga grew up in Compton and Gardena areas of California. He signed with Young Money Entertainment early in his career. Tyga never met his father due to the incarceration.

Drake

Drake started as an actor on ‘Degrassi: The Next Generation’ before becoming a rapper with albums like ‘Views’. His father Dennis Graham served time for drug charges in the 1980s. Dennis spent five years in prison.

Dennis Graham couldn’t visit Drake often due to legal restrictions. Drake was raised by his mother in Toronto. He began rapping and released mixtapes before signing a major deal.

Charlize Theron

Charlize Theron won an Oscar for ‘Monster’ and starred in ‘Mad Max: Fury Road’. Her father Charles Theron threatened her and her mother with a gun while intoxicated. Charlize’s mother Gerda shot him in self-defense resulting in his death.

Authorities ruled the shooting justifiable homicide with no charges filed. Charlize grew up on a farm in South Africa. She moved to modeling and then acting in the United States.

Dylan McDermott

Dylan McDermott starred in ‘The Practice’ and appeared in ‘American Horror Story’ seasons. His stepfather John Sponza murdered Dylan’s mother Diane in 1967. Police later reopened the case and confirmed it as homicide.

John Sponza died in 1972 under suspicious circumstances. Dylan was raised by his grandmother after the incident. He studied acting and landed roles in films and television.

Which of these stories surprised you the most or do you know others to add in the comments?