Famous Actors Who Went Straight From the Red Carpet to a Jail Cell

Hollywood stars often live lives of glamour and luxury that seem worlds away from legal trouble. Many famous actors have found themselves trading their designer tuxedos for prison uniforms after running afoul of the law. These incidents range from minor misunderstandings to serious crimes that resulted in lengthy sentences. The following men are well-known performers who spent time behind bars despite their celebrity status.

Robert Downey Jr.

This acclaimed actor is one of the most famous examples of a celebrity turning their life around after prison. The ‘Iron Man’ star faced severe legal issues in the late 1990s involving drug possession and weapon charges. He spent nearly a year in the California Substance Abuse Treatment Facility and State Prison in Corcoran. His time incarcerated served as a wake-up call that eventually led to his massive comeback in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Mark Wahlberg

Before he became a leading man in films like ‘The Departed’ and ‘Ted’, this actor had a troubled youth in Boston. He was arrested as a teenager for assault and initially charged with attempted murder. He pleaded guilty to assault and served 45 days of a two-year sentence at the Deer Island House of Correction. Wahlberg has since spoken openly about his past and how he worked to leave that life behind him.

Wesley Snipes

Known for his role as the vampire hunter in ‘Blade’, this action star faced serious consequences for financial crimes. He was convicted on misdemeanor charges of failing to file tax returns for several years. The court sentenced him to three years in a federal prison in Pennsylvania. Snipes served the majority of his sentence before being released to house arrest in 2013.

Danny Masterson

The actor who gained fame as Hyde on ‘That 70s Show’ saw his career end abruptly due to severe criminal allegations. He was convicted of two counts of rape in a high-profile trial that concluded in 2023. The judge sentenced him to 30 years to life in prison for his crimes. He is currently serving his sentence in a California state prison.

Bill Cosby

Once known as America’s Dad for his role in ‘The Cosby Show’, this comedian faced a dramatic fall from grace. He was convicted of sexual assault in 2018 and sentenced to three to ten years in state prison. He served nearly three years behind bars before his conviction was overturned on a legal technicality. His time in prison marked a stark contrast to his decades of success as a beloved television figure.

Sean Penn

This Oscar-winning actor has a history of volatile behavior that once landed him in a jail cell. During the filming of ‘Colors’ in 1987, he was sentenced to 60 days in county jail for punching a movie extra. He ended up serving 33 days of that sentence. Penn later continued his successful career in films such as ‘Milk’ and ‘Mystic River’ without further incarceration.

Kiefer Sutherland

The star of the hit series ’24’ found himself on the wrong side of the law due to driving offenses. He was arrested for driving under the influence in 2007 while on probation for a previous similar charge. Sutherland served 48 days in the Glendale City Jail as part of his sentence. He managed to complete his time during a break in filming his television show.

Christian Slater

A heartthrob of the 1990s known for ‘Heathers’ and ‘True Romance’, this actor struggled with personal demons. He was sentenced to three months in jail in 1997 for assaulting his girlfriend and a police officer while under the influence. Slater served 59 days in a private jail facility in California. He later rebuilt his reputation and won critical acclaim for his role in ‘Mr. Robot’.

Tom Sizemore

This intense character actor appeared in major films like ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘Black Hawk Down’. His career was repeatedly derailed by drug abuse and domestic violence convictions. He served approximately 17 months in jail and prison at various points in the mid-2000s. Sizemore continued to work in smaller projects despite his lengthy legal record until his death.

Dustin Diamond

Best known for playing Screech on ‘Saved by the Bell’, this child star faced legal trouble as an adult. He was arrested in 2014 after a bar fight in Wisconsin where a man was stabbed. Diamond was convicted of carrying a concealed weapon and disorderly conduct. He served three months of a four-month jail sentence before being released.

Edward Furlong

After bursting onto the scene as John Connor in ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’, this young actor struggled with substance abuse. He violated his probation multiple times leading to a six-month jail sentence in 2013. His legal troubles significantly impacted his acting career for many years. Furlong has recently spoken about his recovery and desire to return to acting.

Jussie Smollett

The ‘Empire’ actor was at the center of a massive media storm after staging a hate crime against himself in Chicago. He was found guilty of felony disorderly conduct for making false reports to police. The judge sentenced him to 150 days in jail along with probation and restitution. He spent six nights in jail before being released pending an appeal of his conviction.

Lane Garrison

This actor known for his role in ‘Prison Break’ faced a tragic real-life prison sentence. He was involved in a drunk driving accident in 2006 that resulted in the death of a teenage passenger. Garrison pleaded guilty to vehicular manslaughter and was sentenced to 40 months in state prison. He served nearly half of his sentence before being released on parole.

Jamie Waylett

Fans of the ‘Harry Potter’ franchise recognize him as the Hogwarts bully Vincent Crabbe. His acting career ended when he was arrested for participating in the 2011 London riots. Police found him in possession of a petrol bomb and he was later sentenced to two years in prison. Waylett was unable to return for the final films in the magical series.

Ricardo Medina Jr.

This actor played the Red Ranger in ‘Power Rangers Wild Force’ before committing a shocking crime. He was arrested for stabbing his roommate with a sword during an argument in their apartment. Medina pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter in 2017. He was sentenced to six years in state prison for the killing.

Michael Jace

Best known for playing a police officer on the FX series ‘The Shield’, this actor committed a horrific crime in his own home. He was convicted of second-degree murder for shooting and killing his wife in 2014. The shooting occurred while their two young children were present in the house. Jace was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison.

Shelley Malil

This actor appeared as a coworker in the comedy hit ‘The 40-Year-Old Virgin’. He was convicted of attempted premeditated murder after stabbing his ex-girlfriend more than 20 times. Malil was sentenced to 12 years to life in prison for the brutal attack. He was eventually granted parole in 2018 after serving eight years.

Ryan Grantham

A young actor who appeared in ‘Riverdale’ and ‘Diary of a Wimpy Kid’, he committed a tragic act of violence. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder for shooting his mother in their home in 2020. The judge sentenced him to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 14 years. His lawyers argued that he was suffering from severe mental health issues at the time.

Emile Hirsch

The star of ‘Into the Wild’ faced jail time after an incident at the Sundance Film Festival. He assaulted a female movie executive at a nightclub in Park City. Hirsch pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and was sentenced to 15 days in jail. He served his time in the Summit County Jail and paid a fine.

Shia LaBeouf

Known for the ‘Transformers’ series, this actor has had numerous run-ins with the law. He was arrested for disorderly conduct and public intoxication in Georgia while filming a movie. LaBeouf was sentenced to probation and ordered to complete anger management but also spent time in a holding cell during arrests. He has since sought treatment and continued his acting career.

Charlie Sheen

The ‘Two and a Half Men’ star became infamous for his erratic behavior and legal problems. He was arrested on domestic violence charges in 2009 regarding an incident with his wife in Aspen. Sheen spent part of Christmas Day in a jail cell before being released. He later pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault and was sentenced to rehab and probation.

T.I.

This rapper and actor has appeared in films like ‘Ant-Man’ and ‘ATL’. He was arrested on federal weapons charges just hours before he was scheduled to perform at an awards show. T.I. served several stints in prison for this charge and subsequent probation violations. He spent roughly a year behind bars in Arkansas before his release.

Ja Rule

While primarily a rapper, he has acted in movies such as ‘The Fast and the Furious’. He was sentenced to two years in prison for illegal gun possession stemming from a 2007 traffic stop. He served his sentence at a facility in upstate New York. He was released in 2013 after serving the majority of his time.

DMX

This gritty rapper and actor starred in films like ‘Cradle 2 the Grave’ and ‘Romeo Must Die’. He had a long history of arrests and served multiple jail sentences for issues ranging from tax fraud to drug possession. His longest stint was one year in prison for tax evasion in 2018. He passed away shortly after his release.

Jeremy Jackson

The former child star who played Hobie Buchannon on ‘Baywatch’ struggled with addiction and legal issues. He was arrested for stabbing a man during an altercation in Westlake in 2015. Jackson accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 270 days in jail. He served 161 days before being released on probation.

Orlando Brown

Disney Channel fans remember him as Eddie from ‘That\’s So Raven’. He has faced numerous legal challenges involving drug possession and burglary charges. Brown has spent various stints in jail due to missing court dates and new arrests. His mugshots have frequently appeared in the news as he struggles with personal issues.

Columbus Short

This actor was a rising star on the hit show ‘Scandal’ before legal troubles derailed his career. He was arrested for felony battery after a bar fight in Los Angeles. Short was sentenced to 30 days in jail and probation for the assault. He ended up serving only a portion of that time due to overcrowding.

Steve-O

Famous for his dangerous stunts in ‘Jackass’, he has also spent time behind bars. He was sentenced to 30 days in jail for a protest against SeaWorld where he climbed a construction crane. He served just under eight hours of that sentence before being released. He has also been arrested for drug possession in the past but is now sober.

Andy Dick

This comedian and actor from ‘NewsRadio’ has a long rap sheet involving drug and sexual battery charges. He was sentenced to 14 days in jail in 2019 for failing to complete community service. He has also spent time in jail for grand theft and other probation violations. His legal troubles have frequently overshadowed his work in comedy.

Katt Williams

The comedian and actor known for ‘Friday After Next’ has been arrested many times. He has faced charges ranging from assault to theft and has spent time in jail in various states. In one instance, he was jailed for a battery charge in Georgia. Williams often incorporates his legal dramas into his stand-up routines.

Zachery Ty Bryan

The actor who played the oldest son on ‘Home Improvement’ has faced serious legal trouble in recent years. He was arrested multiple times for domestic violence and driving under the influence. In 2023, he pleaded guilty to felony assault and served seven days in jail. He was later sentenced to 16 months in jail for a DUI charge in 2026.

Nicholas Brendon

Best known as Xander Harris on ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’, he has struggled with the law. He has been arrested multiple times for domestic disputes and drug possession. Brendon has spent nights in jail in several different states including Idaho and New York. His ongoing battles with depression and addiction have played a public role in these arrests.

Matthew McConaughey

Before winning an Oscar, the ‘Dallas Buyers Club’ star had a famous run-in with the police in 1999. Police arrived at his home to find him playing bongos naked while marijuana was present. He was arrested and spent several hours in a Travis County jail cell. The charges were eventually dropped or reduced, and the incident became a humorous anecdote in his memoir.

Hugh Grant

This British actor known for romantic comedies like ‘Notting Hill’ created a massive scandal in 1995. He was arrested in Los Angeles for lewd conduct in a public place with a sex worker. Grant was booked, mugshotted, and briefly held in a cell before being released. He famously faced the media immediately after and apologized for his actions.

Nick Nolte

A celebrated actor in films like ‘The Prince of Tides’, he was arrested for driving under the influence in 2002. His disheveled mugshot became one of the most famous celebrity images of the decade. Nolte was sentenced to three years of probation and counseling but spent time in a holding cell during booking. He later cleaned up his lifestyle and continued acting.

Mel Gibson

The ‘Braveheart’ director and star was arrested for DUI in Malibu in 2006. He spent time in a jail cell while being processed for the arrest. The incident became infamous due to the anti-Semitic remarks he made to the arresting officer. He received probation and had to undergo alcohol treatment.

Josh Brolin

The man who played Thanos in the ‘Avengers’ movies has seen the inside of a jail cell. He was arrested for public intoxication in Santa Monica on New Year’s Day in 2013. Brolin was held in jail for several hours until he sobered up. He was also arrested previously in 2004 and 2008 for altercations.

Vince Vaughn

This comedy star known for ‘Wedding Crashers’ was arrested in Manhattan Beach in 2018. Police stopped him at a checkpoint where he failed a sobriety test and resisted arrest. Vaughn was booked into jail and later released on bail. He was eventually convicted of reckless driving and sentenced to probation.

Nicolas Cage

The ‘National Treasure’ star was arrested in New Orleans in 2011 after a drunken argument with his wife. He was charged with domestic abuse battery and disturbing the peace. Cage spent time in a jail cell until bail was posted by Duane “Dog” Chapman. The charges were later dropped, but the mugshot remains well-known.

Woody Harrelson

This ‘Cheers’ and ‘Zombieland’ actor has been arrested a few times during his career. In 1982, he was arrested for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest after dancing in traffic. He also spent a night in a London jail in 2002 after an incident in a taxi. Harrelson is known for his rebellious streak and advocacy for marijuana legalization.

Ezra Miller

The actor who stars as ‘The Flash’ faced a string of legal issues and arrests in Hawaii in 2022. He was arrested for disorderly conduct at a karaoke bar and later for second-degree assault. Miller spent time in police custody during these incidents. He has since apologized and stated he is seeking treatment for complex mental health issues.

Jonathan Majors

After starring in ‘Creed III’, this actor was arrested in New York City in 2023. He was charged with assault and harassment following a domestic dispute. Majors was held in police custody before being released. He was later found guilty of reckless assault and harassment in a high-stakes trial.

Sam Worthington

The star of the massive blockbuster ‘Avatar’ was arrested in Atlanta in 2012. He was denied entry to a restaurant and fought with the doorman, leading to a disorderly conduct charge. Worthington was handcuffed and briefly jailed before the charges were dismissed. He was arrested again in 2014 in New York for punching a photographer.

Please share your thoughts on these actors’ legal troubles in the comments.