Actors Who Have Served Time In Prison

The entertainment industry is filled with stories of redemption and transformation where actors have overcome significant legal challenges. While some stars are known only for their work on the screen, others have histories that include time spent in correctional facilities. These experiences often occurred before their rise to fame or during turbulent periods in their professional lives. This list examines several male actors who served time in prison for various offenses throughout the years.

Robert Downey Jr.

He served nearly a year in a state prison during the late nineties following a series of drug related arrests and parole violations. The actor spent time at the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran. This period occurred at the height of his legal troubles before he revitalized his career in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. He later received a full pardon from the Governor of California in 2015.

Danny Trejo

He spent several years in various California prisons including San Quentin and Folsom during the sixties. His time behind bars was primarily due to drug and robbery charges. While incarcerated he became a champion boxer in the prison system and completed a rehabilitation program. This background eventually helped him land his first acting role as a convict in the film ‘Runaway Train’.

Mark Wahlberg

He was sentenced to two years in prison as a teenager after an assault in his hometown of Boston. The future star served approximately forty five days of that sentence at the Deer Island House of Correction. He has often spoken about how the experience served as a turning point that led him to change his life. He eventually found massive success in the music industry before transitioning into a leading Hollywood actor.

Tim Allen

He served over two years in a federal prison in Minnesota during the late seventies for drug trafficking. The actor was caught with a large quantity of cocaine at an airport and faced a potentially much longer sentence. During his time incarcerated he honed his comedic skills by performing for fellow inmates. After his release he successfully pursued a career in stand up comedy and starred in the hit series ‘Home Improvement’.

Wesley Snipes

He served a three year sentence in a federal prison for failing to file federal income tax returns. The actor reported to the McKean Federal Correctional Institution in 2010 after several years of legal appeals. He was released from prison in 2013 and spent a short period under house arrest to finish his sentence. His legal troubles became a major headline during the peak of his career as an action star.

Christian Slater

He served fifty nine days in a California jail and rehabilitation facility in the late nineties. This sentence followed an incident involving assault and the use of illegal substances. The actor has since maintained a steady career with roles in television shows like ‘Mr. Robot’. He has frequently reflected on his past mistakes as a necessary part of his personal growth.

Sean Penn

He spent thirty three days in a Los Angeles county jail during the late eighties for assaulting an extra on a film set. This incident occurred while he was on probation for a previous assault charge. The actor was originally sentenced to sixty days but received time off for good behavior. He continued to build a prestigious career and won multiple Academy Awards in the decades following his release.

Bill Cosby

He served nearly three years in a state prison in Pennsylvania following a conviction for aggravated indecent assault. The veteran actor was incarcerated at the State Correctional Institution at Phoenix starting in 2018. His conviction was eventually overturned by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court due to a previous agreement with a prosecutor. He was released from custody shortly after the ruling was announced in 2021.

Sanjay Dutt

He served several years in an Indian prison for the illegal possession of firearms linked to the 1993 Mumbai bombings. The prominent Bollywood actor spent time in the Yerwada Central Jail across multiple stints as his legal cases progressed. He was finally released in 2016 after completing the remainder of his five year sentence. His life story was later depicted in the biographical film ‘Sanju’.

Salman Khan

He has spent various short periods in prison due to convictions for poaching and a hit and run incident. The Bollywood superstar was sentenced to five years in 2018 for the killing of endangered blackbucks during a film shoot. He spent a few days in the Jodhpur Central Jail before being granted bail. Despite these legal issues he remains one of the most successful and influential actors in Indian cinema.

Charles S. Dutton

He served several years in prison for manslaughter following a physical altercation when he was a young man. While serving his sentence he discovered his passion for acting by reading a play and starting a drama group for inmates. After his release he earned a degree from the Yale School of Drama and became a celebrated stage and screen actor. He is perhaps best known for his leading role in the television series ‘Roc’.

Lane Garrison

He served about twenty months in a California state prison for his involvement in a fatal vehicular accident. The actor pleaded guilty to charges including vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated and providing alcohol to a minor. He was released in 2009 and has since worked to rebuild his acting career. He is most recognizable to audiences for his role as Tweener in the television series ‘Prison Break’.

Michael Jace

He was sentenced to forty years to life in prison for the murder of his wife in 2014. The actor was convicted of second degree murder after a trial that detailed a domestic dispute. He is currently serving his sentence at the Corcoran State Prison in California. He was best known for playing a police officer in the acclaimed television drama ‘The Shield’.

Ricardo Medina Jr.

He served a prison sentence for the voluntary manslaughter of his roommate involving a sword. The actor was originally charged with murder but pleaded guilty to the lesser charge in 2017. He was sentenced to six years in state prison and was released after serving a portion of that time. He had previously gained fame for his roles in multiple iterations of the ‘Power Rangers’ franchise.

Ryan Grantham

He was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to the second degree murder of his mother. The young actor also planned further acts of violence against government officials before surrendering to the police. He is currently serving his sentence in a Canadian correctional facility with no possibility of parole for fourteen years. He had appeared in various television productions including the series ‘Riverdale’.

Mike Tyson

He served three years in an Indiana prison during the early nineties following a conviction for rape. The world famous boxer later transitioned into a successful acting career with a memorable role in ‘The Hangover’. He was released in 1995 and eventually regained his status as a major public figure in sports and entertainment. His time in prison is often cited as a pivotal and controversial chapter of his biography.

50 Cent

He spent six months in a shock incarceration boot camp program as a teenager for drug related offenses. The actor and rapper was arrested for selling controlled substances to an undercover officer in New York. This experience preceded his massive success in the music industry and his later transition into acting and producing. He frequently uses his early life experiences as inspiration for his work on shows like ‘Power’.

T.I.

He served about a year in federal prison for weapons charges involving the attempted purchase of machine guns. The actor and musician spent time at the Forrest City Federal Correctional Institution in Arkansas. He faced another brief stint in prison for a probation violation shortly after his initial release. He has since appeared in major films such as ‘Ant-Man’ and its sequel.

DMX

He served multiple prison sentences throughout his life for various charges including drug possession and animal cruelty. The actor and rapper spent time in facilities in both Arizona and New York over several decades. One of his longest stints was a one year sentence for tax evasion which he served in a federal prison. He starred in several action films like ‘Exit Wounds’ and ‘Cradle 2 the Grave’ during his career.

Ja Rule

He served two years in prison for attempted possession of a weapon and a separate charge of tax evasion. The actor spent time in the Mid-State Correctional Facility in New York before his release in 2013. He continued his acting career after his incarceration with roles in independent films and reality television. He is well known for his roles in ‘The Fast and the Furious’ and ‘Half Past Dead’.

C-Murder

He is currently serving a life sentence for the second degree murder of a teenager at a nightclub in 2002. The actor and rapper has been incarcerated at the Louisiana State Penitentiary for many years. Despite his imprisonment he has continued to release music and maintain a presence in the media through legal appeals. He appeared in the film ‘Da Game of Life’ before his conviction.

R. Kelly

He was sentenced to decades in prison following convictions for various crimes including racketeering and sexual exploitation. The former singer and occasional actor is serving his time in a federal correctional facility. His legal battles spanned several years and multiple jurisdictions before reaching these final verdicts. He had minor acting roles and provided music for many films before his incarceration.

Stephen Fry

He served three months in prison for credit card fraud when he was a teenager. The actor was caught using a stolen card and was sent to Pucklechurch Remand Centre during the late seventies. He has often credited this experience with helping him turn his life around and focus on his education. He eventually became one of the most respected actors and writers in the British entertainment industry.

Kiefer Sutherland

He served forty eight days in a Los Angeles county jail for a series of driving under the influence charges. The actor reported for his sentence in late 2007 while he was starring in the hit series ’24’. He chose to serve the full sentence consecutively rather than on weekends to minimize the disruption to his filming schedule. He has since been open about the experience and its impact on his life.

Tommy Lee

He served six months in a Los Angeles county jail for felony spousal battery in 1998. The musician and actor was sentenced after an incident involving his then wife Pamela Anderson. He spent his time in a central jail facility and was required to complete community service upon his release. He has appeared in various films and television shows including the biographical drama ‘The Dirt’.

Dustin Diamond

He served three months in a Wisconsin jail for disorderly conduct and carrying a concealed weapon. The incident occurred during a physical altercation at a bar where a man was stabbed with a small knife. The actor was released early for good behavior after serving his sentence in 2016. He was most famous for his role as Screech in the television series ‘Saved by the Bell’.

Lawrence Tierney

He was known for spending frequent stints in jail throughout his career due to his aggressive behavior and public intoxication. The actor was arrested dozens of times for brawling in bars and resisting arrest across several decades. Despite his reputation for being difficult he delivered a legendary performance in the film ‘Reservoir Dogs’. His legal troubles were a constant theme in his long and storied Hollywood career.

Tony Sirico

He served twenty months in prison for robbery and weapons charges long before he became a household name. The actor spent time at the Sing Sing correctional facility during the early seventies. He has stated that his interest in acting began after watching a performance by a group of ex convicts while he was behind bars. He eventually secured his most famous role as Paulie Walnuts in the series ‘The Sopranos’.

Robert Mitchum

He served forty three days in a Los Angeles county jail and a prison farm for marijuana possession in 1948. This arrest was a major scandal at the time and threatened to end his rising career in Hollywood. However his public image as a tough guy helped him weather the controversy and remain a popular leading man. His conviction was eventually overturned and removed from his record many years later.

James Brown

He served three years of a six year sentence in a South Carolina prison for aggravated assault and eluding police. The legendary performer and actor was incarcerated following a high speed chase through two states in 1988. He was granted parole in 1991 and resumed his career in music and film. He appeared in iconic movies like ‘The Blues Brothers’ and ‘Rocky IV’ during his lifetime.

Tom Sizemore

He served multiple prison and jail sentences over the years for drug related offenses and domestic violence. The actor spent time in various facilities in California during the early two thousands as he struggled with addiction. His legal issues often complicated his professional life despite his talent as a character actor in major films. He was well known for his roles in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘Black Hawk Down’.

Tupac Shakur

He served nine months in a New York state prison for a sexual abuse conviction in the mid nineties. The actor and rapper was incarcerated at the Clinton Correctional Facility while his music and films continued to gain popularity. He was released on bail in late 1995 while his case was under appeal. He delivered acclaimed performances in films like ‘Juice’ and ‘Poetic Justice’ before his untimely death.

Edward Furlong

He has served several short stints in jail for various probation violations and domestic violence charges. The actor has struggled with substance abuse for much of his adult life which has led to frequent legal interventions. His time in custody has often disrupted his attempts to maintain a consistent acting career in Hollywood. He rose to international fame as a child star in ‘Terminator 2 Judgment Day’.

Chuck Zito

He served six years in a federal prison for a drug conspiracy charge during the mid eighties. Before becoming an actor he was a well known member of the Hells Angels and worked as a celebrity bodyguard. After his release he successfully transitioned into the entertainment industry with a recurring role in the series ‘Oz’. He has also appeared in various films and television shows as a tough character actor.

Felonious Munk

He served six years in a state prison for an incident involving a drug related robbery. During his incarceration he turned to writing and comedy as a way to process his experiences and plan for a new life. After his release he became a successful stand up comedian and an actor in major television productions. He is recognizable to audiences for his role in the series ‘For Life’.

Shelley Malil

He served eight years in a California state prison for the attempted murder of his former girlfriend. The actor was originally sentenced to life with the possibility of parole after a violent incident in 2008. He was released on parole in 2018 after a board determined he was no longer a threat to society. He had previously appeared in the hit comedy film ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’.

Tommy Chong

He served nine months in a federal prison for his involvement in a company that sold drug paraphernalia. The actor and comedian was caught as part of a large scale investigation into the online sale of glass pipes. He served his time at the Taft Correctional Institution in California starting in late 2003. He remains a prominent figure in the entertainment world and a vocal advocate for various legal reforms.

Paul Kelly

He served twenty five months in San Quentin State Prison during the late twenties for a manslaughter conviction. The actor was involved in a physical altercation that resulted in the death of a man after a dispute over a woman. After his release he managed to rebuild his career and appeared in numerous films over several decades. He eventually won a Tony Award for his work on the Broadway stage.

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