Actors With Major Legal Troubles

Some of the biggest names in film and TV have faced legal battles that shaped their careers and public images. From tax convictions and drug cases to headline-grabbing trials and plea deals, these situations often led to probation, prison time, or lengthy court fights and appeals. Here are notable male actors whose legal issues became major news, along with clear outcomes when courts reached a decision. Titles are included to help place moments in their careers without weighing in on the cases themselves.

Robert Downey Jr.

Downey’s legal troubles in the late nineties and early two thousands centered on multiple drug-related arrests and probation violations that led to jail and rehab stints. He was removed from projects and later returned to steady work after completing court-ordered treatment and meeting supervision requirements. His comeback included roles like ‘Ally McBeal’ on TV and films such as ‘Kiss Kiss Bang Bang’ and ‘Iron Man’. The shift marked a documented move from repeated arrests to sustained professional stability.

Wesley Snipes

Snipes was convicted on misdemeanor counts for willful failure to file federal income tax returns and served time in federal prison. After unsuccessful appeals he completed his sentence and was released under supervision. His legal case involved disputes over filings and refunds that federal prosecutors challenged in court. He later resumed acting in projects including ‘The Expendables 3’ and returned to public events and interviews.

Tim Allen

Before his sitcom fame Allen was arrested on a narcotics case that resulted in a prison sentence after he cooperated with investigators. He served time and was paroled, then rebuilt his career with ‘Home Improvement’ and films like ‘The Santa Clause’ and ‘Toy Story’. He has spoken publicly about the arrest and his time in prison as a turning point. The case remains one of the most cited examples of an actor pivoting after a serious conviction.

Mark Wahlberg

As a teenager Wahlberg was charged in assault incidents that later drew renewed scrutiny as his career grew. He served jail time for one case and years later sought an official pardon that was widely covered but not granted. The record has followed him even as he moved into films such as ‘Boogie Nights’ and ‘The Departed’ and business ventures. His legal history is frequently referenced in discussions of criminal records and rehabilitation.

O. J. Simpson

Simpson worked as an actor in projects like ‘The Naked Gun’ while also being known for his sports career and later legal controversies. He was acquitted in a high-profile criminal murder trial and later found liable in a civil suit connected to the same events. Years afterward he was convicted in Nevada for armed robbery and related offenses and served prison time before being paroled. His death closed a public life that remained defined by courtrooms as much as by screens and fields.

Kevin Spacey

Spacey faced multiple allegations that led to criminal charges and civil claims in several jurisdictions. A New York civil jury found him not liable in one case and a London jury later acquitted him of criminal charges there. Some earlier charges were dropped for procedural reasons or because witnesses became unavailable. Following the acquittals he began making limited public and professional appearances while remaining associated with the legal saga.

Johnny Depp

Depp and Amber Heard engaged in a widely watched defamation trial in Virginia where a jury largely ruled in Depp’s favor while also granting Heard a smaller award on one counterclaim. The parties later settled and dropped appeals with a payment to Depp that he pledged to donate. The outcome followed years of competing suits on both sides in different venues. After the Virginia verdict Depp returned to festival appearances and projects like ‘Jeanne du Barry’.

Alec Baldwin

Baldwin’s legal exposure arose from the ‘Rust’ set shooting that killed cinematographer Halyna Hutchins and injured the director during rehearsal. Criminal charges against him were dismissed after disputes over evidence handling while other crew faced separate outcomes. He has been involved in civil litigation linked to the incident and also pursued his own legal claims against officials. Production on ‘Rust’ eventually finished and the film was released with ongoing court activity continuing around the case.

Ezra Miller

Miller was arrested in separate incidents in Hawaii and later faced a burglary case in Vermont. They entered a guilty plea to a misdemeanor and received probation with court-ordered conditions. Public statements referenced mental health treatment while projects like ‘The Flash’ proceeded with studio decisions made case by case. Court records marked completion milestones tied to probation terms and compliance.

Shia LaBeouf

LaBeouf’s record includes arrests for disorderly conduct and public intoxication along with a civil lawsuit alleging abuse that drew extensive attention. He entered rehabilitation and faith-based recovery programs while addressing the suit and related claims through the courts. Professional work paused at times then resumed with roles in films like ‘Honey Boy’ and ‘Padre Pio’. His legal matters highlighted intersections of treatment, accountability, and ongoing litigation.

Charlie Sheen

Sheen faced domestic violence charges and plea negotiations during the height of his TV success with ‘Two and a Half Men’. He completed mandated programs and probation terms while navigating contract disputes and public breakdowns that spilled into legal territory. Restraining orders and custody agreements became part of the public record. After the most turbulent period he staged sporadic returns to screen work and live appearances.

Cuba Gooding Jr.

Gooding resolved a New York criminal case by pleading guilty to a lesser offense after counseling and compliance with plea conditions. He avoided jail time under the agreement while other civil claims continued in separate courts. The criminal matter focused on allegations from nightlife encounters and was handled by a specialized prosecutorial unit. His acting work included appearances in projects like ‘American Crime Story’ either side of the case timeline.

Stephen Baldwin

Baldwin admitted to failing to file state income tax returns and reached a deal to repay back taxes and penalties over time. He avoided jail while complying with a court-approved plan and later addressed a separate arrest related to license status. His screen work includes roles in films like ‘The Usual Suspects’ and reality series appearances. The tax case is often cited in discussions of financial compliance for public figures.

Mel Gibson

Gibson’s legal issues included a DUI arrest that produced widely publicized booking materials and a later misdemeanor battery case resolved by plea. He completed court-ordered counseling and service while projects slowed and then gradually returned. Subsequent directing work like ‘Hacksaw Ridge’ reintroduced him to awards conversations. The legal matters remained central to coverage of his career moves and public statements.

Paul Reubens

Reubens was arrested in an adult theater case that resulted in a no-contest plea with community service and public service announcements. A later misdemeanor case concerning materials at his home was resolved without a felony conviction after legal challenges. His career eventually revived with renewed interest in ‘Pee-wee’s Big Holiday’ and appearances as himself in documentaries. He spoke in detail about the reputational harm from the arrests near the end of his life.

Tom Sizemore

Sizemore’s legal history includes a 2003 conviction for domestic violence, followed by repeated probation violations tied to drug use. He served jail time after failing drug tests and was ordered into rehabilitation as part of court supervision. Later arrests for drug possession were adjudicated with additional treatment and monitoring requirements. His film work in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘Heat’ was frequently referenced in coverage of the cases.

Christian Slater

Slater was arrested in 1997 after an assault incident and served a short jail sentence along with mandated rehabilitation. He faced another arrest in 2005 in New York that was resolved in court without a custodial sentence. Earlier probation terms required counseling and substance monitoring. He continued acting in projects such as ‘Mr. Robot’ while completing court obligations.

Sean Penn

Penn was jailed in 1987 for a probation violation stemming from an assault on a photographer. The sentence included 33 days served and conditions addressing further altercations. Earlier incidents on film sets and public spaces formed part of the case record. His acting credits like ‘Mystic River’ remained separate from the court proceedings.

Nicolas Cage

Cage was arrested in New Orleans in 2011 on allegations tied to a domestic disturbance and public intoxication. Prosecutors later declined to pursue the case and the charges were dropped. Separate from the arrest, he dealt with financial disputes including federal tax liens that were handled through payments and settlements. He continued appearing in films such as ‘Mandy’ and ‘Pig’ during and after those matters.

Vince Vaughn

Vaughn was arrested in 2018 in Manhattan Beach, California, for driving under the influence and initially refusing a sobriety test. He later pleaded no contest to reckless driving, received probation, and completed an alcohol program. An earlier bar altercation in 2001 resulted in an arrest that was resolved without a serious conviction. His credits around the period included ‘True Detective’ on television and films like ‘Hacksaw Ridge’.

Matthew McConaughey

McConaughey was arrested in 1999 in Austin after police responded to a noise complaint and found drug paraphernalia. Drug charges were dropped and he paid a fine for a noise violation after appearing in court. The incident did not result in a conviction for possession. He continued to work steadily, including roles in ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ and ‘Dallas Buyers Club’.

Hugh Grant

Grant was arrested in Los Angeles in 1995 on a lewd conduct charge. He pleaded no contest, paid a fine, and completed an education program as part of the resolution. The case drew international attention but involved no jail time. He maintained a busy schedule with films such as ‘Notting Hill’ and ‘About a Boy’.

Robert Blake

Blake was charged with murder in connection with the death of his wife and stood trial in Los Angeles. A jury acquitted him of the criminal charges, and a subsequent civil trial found him liable for wrongful death with damages awarded. The criminal acquittal and civil judgment created separate legal outcomes from the same events. His earlier fame from ‘Baretta’ and work in ‘Lost Highway’ often framed media coverage of the trials.

Jussie Smollett

Smollett was charged in Chicago in 2019 with filing a false police report after an alleged attack he reported. A special prosecutor later refiled charges, and in 2021 a jury convicted him of several counts of disorderly conduct. He was sentenced to jail time and probation while pursuing appeals in state court. His TV role in ‘Empire’ was suspended and later ended amid the legal proceedings.

Steven Seagal

Seagal settled with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in 2020 over promoting a digital asset offering without proper disclosures. The settlement included disgorgement, a penalty, and a ban from touting certain securities for a period. He has also faced multiple civil claims and public allegations in separate jurisdictions, some of which were dismissed or closed without criminal charges. His film work such as ‘Under Siege’ and later direct-to-video titles continued independently of the regulatory case.

Andy Dick

Dick has been arrested numerous times on charges ranging from public intoxication to sexual battery, with cases in California and other states. Some incidents resulted in misdemeanor prosecutions, probation terms, and mandated counseling. He has faced civil suits alongside criminal matters that were resolved through plea agreements or dismissals. His credits include ‘NewsRadio’ and various stand-up appearances.

Martin Lawrence

Lawrence was arrested in 1996 after brandishing a handgun in public and was sentenced to probation, community service, and counseling. He faced additional legal scrutiny in the mid-1990s for erratic public behavior that led to brief detentions. The court orders emphasized mental health evaluation and compliance with firearm restrictions. He continued starring in projects like ‘Bad Boys’ and ‘Big Momma’s House’.

Mickey Rourke

Rourke was arrested in 1994 in a domestic disturbance case that was later dropped without a conviction. In 2007 he was arrested in Miami Beach on suspicion of DUI and later pleaded guilty to a reduced reckless driving charge, paying fines. Court outcomes focused on fines and conditions rather than jail time. He resumed high-profile work afterward, including ‘The Wrestler’ and ‘Iron Man 2’.

Danny Trejo

Before his acting career, Trejo served time in state and federal prisons in the 1960s for drug and robbery offenses. He completed rehabilitation, embraced recovery programs, and later worked as a counselor. His turnaround preceded film roles and public speaking about incarceration and addiction. He built a long career with appearances in ‘Machete’ and ‘Heat’.

Woody Harrelson

Harrelson was arrested in 1982 in Ohio for disorderly conduct and resisting arrest, resulting in a fine and a suspended sentence. In 1996 he was arrested in Kentucky after planting hemp to challenge state law, a case that highlighted differences between industrial hemp and marijuana. He later reached resolutions that did not involve jail time for those actions. His acting continued with major roles in ‘Natural Born Killers’ and ‘True Detective’.

Bill Cosby

Cosby was convicted in Pennsylvania on sexual assault charges, then had that conviction vacated by the state’s highest court based on due process concerns. He was released from prison after the ruling and the case was closed without a new trial. In a separate California civil case brought by Judy Huth, a jury found him liable and awarded damages. His acting career, including ‘The Cosby Show’, remained central to public discussion of the legal outcomes.

Danny Masterson

Masterson was tried in Los Angeles on rape charges and a jury convicted him on two counts. He received a prison sentence under state guidelines and was remanded to the custody of the Department of Corrections. Post-sentencing filings moved to the appellate courts, where his legal team pursued relief through standard review procedures. His television credits such as ‘That ’70s Show’ were frequently cited in coverage of the proceedings.

Jonathan Majors

Majors was convicted in New York of misdemeanor assault and harassment after a bench trial that examined an altercation with a former partner. The court imposed probationary supervision with a domestic violence intervention program and compliance checks. His legal team signaled intent to challenge aspects of the verdict through available motions. Roles tied to projects like ‘Creed III’ and ‘Loki’ were mentioned in reports about professional consequences.

Michael Jace

Jace, known for ‘The Shield’, was convicted in Los Angeles of second-degree murder in the death of his wife. The court imposed a lengthy state prison term consistent with California statutes. Appeals were processed through the state system without altering the conviction. Case documents detailed the 911 call, forensic findings, and subsequent trial testimony.

Emile Hirsch

Hirsch pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault after an incident at a Sundance-adjacent venue in Park City. He served a short jail term, paid a fine, and completed community service and counseling as ordered. The court accepted his compliance and closed supervision once conditions were met. His film credits including ‘Into the Wild’ were noted in contemporaneous filings and reports.

Dustin Diamond

Diamond was arrested after a bar fight in Wisconsin and convicted of misdemeanor charges related to a stabbing. He served jail time and probation, with the court later addressing a supervision violation before discharge. The case file included restitution and program requirements. References to his work on ‘Saved by the Bell’ appeared throughout media coverage.

Orlando Brown

Brown faced multiple arrests across several jurisdictions for offenses including domestic violence, drug possession, and obstruction. Courts issued probation terms, counseling mandates, and, in some instances, short custodial stays. Some charges were dismissed while others resulted in plea agreements. He is widely associated with ‘That’s So Raven’ in reporting on his legal history.

Robert Mitchum

Mitchum was arrested and convicted on a marijuana possession case that led to a county jail sentence and work detail. Studio representatives coordinated production schedules around his confinement. The conviction was later expunged under state procedures then in effect. His classic roles in ‘Out of the Past’ and ‘The Night of the Hunter’ remained part of the public narrative.

Matthew Broderick

Broderick was involved in a car crash in Northern Ireland that resulted in two fatalities. He was initially charged with a serious driving offense that was later reduced to careless driving, resulting in a fine. Civil matters were handled separately from the criminal disposition. His screen work, including ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’, was frequently noted in retrospective coverage.

Russell Crowe

Crowe was arrested in New York after throwing a phone that struck a hotel employee, leading to an assault charge. He pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor and received a conditional discharge with counseling. The court retained jurisdiction for compliance before closing the case. Media referenced films like ‘Gladiator’ when summarizing background.

Nick Nolte

Nolte was arrested in California on suspicion of driving under the influence after officers documented erratic driving. Toxicology reports were filed with the court and he later pleaded no contest to a DUI count. Sentencing included probation, fines, and a rehabilitation program. His appearances in ‘The Prince of Tides’ and ‘Warrior’ were mentioned alongside the legal updates.

Edward Furlong

Furlong was arrested multiple times on allegations including domestic violence and probation violations. Courts ordered protective measures, counseling, and brief jail terms tied to noncompliance. Several cases concluded with plea deals and graduated supervision. He is best known for ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’, which often framed coverage of his court appearances.

Robert Iler

Iler was arrested in New York in connection with a robbery and pleaded guilty to second-degree robbery. The court granted youthful offender status with probation and community service. Compliance reports documented successful completion of conditions. His role in ‘The Sopranos’ was a constant reference point in court and media records.

Chris Pine

Pine was arrested in New Zealand for driving under the influence after a roadside stop near a film shoot. He pleaded guilty, paid a fine, and accepted a short license suspension. The court noted cooperation and the absence of aggravating factors. His roles in ‘Star Trek’ and ‘Wonder Woman’ were cited in contemporaneous accounts.

Armie Hammer

Hammer was investigated by Los Angeles authorities after allegations surfaced online and through media interviews. Prosecutors later announced they would not pursue charges, citing insufficient evidence to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt. Civil litigation did not materialize into a courtroom verdict. Credits such as ‘The Social Network’ and ‘Call Me by Your Name’ appeared frequently in statements about the decision.

Share your thoughts in the comments about which cases most changed the course of an actor’s career.