Actors Who Did Bad Things

Public figures are often defined by their work on screen, but court records can tell a different story. This list focuses only on male actors with criminal convictions or guilty/no-contest pleas that resulted in a criminal judgment, summarizing the charge, jurisdiction, disposition, and sentence.

Each entry names the actor and cites a few notable credits purely for context. Where titles appear, they’re wrapped in single quotes. The legal details stick to what courts decided—convictions or accepted pleas—and avoid allegations that never led to a criminal judgment.

Robert Downey Jr.

Known for ‘Iron Man’ and ‘Chaplin’, Robert Downey Jr. was convicted in California on drug-possession charges following multiple arrests. The case history includes a probation grant, subsequent violations, and a state-prison commitment imposed by a Los Angeles County court.

The disposition involved custody time, supervised release, and mandated treatment components typical of California narcotics cases. After completing court-ordered obligations and supervision, he resumed major studio work.

Wesley Snipes

Recognized for ‘Blade’ and ‘White Men Can’t Jump’, Wesley Snipes was convicted in federal court of three misdemeanor counts for willful failure to file income tax returns. A jury returned guilty verdicts on those counts while acquitting him of related felony charges.

Sentencing included a custodial term followed by supervised release under U.S. probation. After serving the prison portion and completing supervision, he returned to film and television projects.

Mark Wahlberg

Associated with ‘The Departed’ and ‘Transformers: Age of Extinction’, Mark Wahlberg was convicted in Massachusetts on assault charges arising from a street attack as a teenager. He received a state-prison sentence and served a custodial portion before release.

Court records reflect incarceration, parole, and the eventual completion of supervision. The conviction later featured in public filings when he sought—unsuccessfully—post-conviction relief.

Mike Tyson

While best known as an athlete, Mike Tyson has appeared as an actor in titles like ‘The Hangover’ and ‘Ip Man 3’. He was convicted in Indiana of rape following a jury trial, and the court imposed a multi-year prison sentence.

He served the custodial term and completed parole obligations under state procedures. He later returned to public life, including on-screen appearances, after concluding his sentence.

O. J. Simpson

Appearing in ‘The Naked Gun’, O. J. Simpson was convicted in Nevada of armed robbery and kidnapping stemming from a hotel-room incident. A Clark County jury returned guilty verdicts on multiple counts.

The court imposed a lengthy sentence within the statutory range, and he served significant time in state custody. He was later granted parole according to Nevada rules and released under supervision.

Tim Allen

Known for ‘Home Improvement’ and ‘The Santa Clause’, Tim Allen pleaded guilty in federal court to a cocaine-trafficking offense following an airport arrest in the Midwest. The plea produced a felony conviction and a federal prison term.

He served the custodial portion and was released to supervision per federal guidelines. The conviction predates his mainstream television success but remains part of his record.

Christian Slater

Seen in ‘Heathers’ and ‘Mr. Robot’, Christian Slater was convicted in California of assault-related offenses after an incident involving injuries and substance use. The court imposed a sentence that included county jail, probation, and mandated treatment.

Compliance terms required counseling and sobriety monitoring customary in such cases. After completing the sentence and supervision, he returned to regular film and television work.

Sean Penn

Known for ‘Mystic River’ and ‘Milk’, Sean Penn served a county-jail term in California in the late 1980s after a probation violation tied to an underlying misdemeanor case. In a separate matter, he pleaded no contest to misdemeanor vandalism in Los Angeles in 2010, producing a conviction with probation and community-service conditions.

The later sentencing included counseling requirements and stay-away provisions standard in vandalism cases involving confrontations with photographers. He completed the terms and continued his acting and directing career.

Matthew Broderick

Recognized for ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off’ and ‘The Producers’, Matthew Broderick was convicted of careless driving in Northern Ireland following a fatal road collision. The conviction represented a reduced charge from the initial allegations.

The court imposed a fine, disposing of the case under local traffic-offense procedures. Despite the seriousness of the accident’s outcome, the legal judgment remained a non-custodial sentence.

Hugh Grant

Known for ‘Notting Hill’ and ‘Love Actually’, Hugh Grant entered a no-contest plea in Los Angeles to a misdemeanor lewd-conduct charge, resulting in a conviction. The court imposed a fine and ordered participation in an educational program.

Sentencing conditions included counseling and compliance checks consistent with local misdemeanor practices. He completed the terms and continued his film career.

Paul Reubens

Associated with ‘Pee-wee’s Big Adventure’ and other projects as the Pee-wee Herman character, Paul Reubens resolved two cases through pleas that produced misdemeanor convictions. He pleaded no contest to indecent exposure in Florida in the early 1990s and later pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor obscenity count in California.

The combined outcomes included fines, probation, and program requirements rather than prison. Court dockets reflect timely completion of each sentence’s conditions.

Tom Sizemore

Featured in ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and ‘Heat’, Tom Sizemore was convicted in California of domestic-violence offenses against a partner. The court imposed probation, a brief custodial component, and mandatory counseling.

He later incurred probation violations and drug-related sanctions documented in subsequent calendars. Each disposition followed standard state procedures for supervision and compliance.

Kiefer Sutherland

Star of ’24’ and actor in ‘A Few Good Men’, Kiefer Sutherland was convicted of driving under the influence in California. Because of a prior, the court ordered a custodial term to be served in a local facility, along with probation and an alcohol-education program.

He completed the jail sentence and program requirements while coordinating with production schedules under court approval. After finishing probation, he continued work on television and film.

Shia LaBeouf

Known for ‘Transformers’ and ‘Honey Boy’, Shia LaBeouf pleaded guilty to obstruction and no contest to disorderly conduct and public drunkenness in Georgia, producing misdemeanor convictions. Sentencing included probation, fines, and counseling.

In a separate New York case, he resolved a disorderly-conduct matter through a plea and court-ordered treatment, which he completed. Court files reflect compliance with program and probation terms.

Stephen Baldwin

Associated with ‘The Usual Suspects’ and ‘Bio-Dome’, Stephen Baldwin pleaded guilty in New York to a misdemeanor related to unpaid state taxes, resulting in a conviction. Sentencing emphasized restitution and probation rather than incarceration.

He entered a court-approved repayment plan and reported to probation as required. Upon meeting the financial and supervisory conditions, the case closed in ordinary course.

Jean-Claude Van Damme

Star of ‘Bloodsport’ and ‘Universal Soldier’, Jean-Claude Van Damme pleaded no contest in California to a DUI, which the court treated as a misdemeanor conviction. The sentence included probation, a fine, and completion of an alcohol-education program.

He satisfied the program and probation terms within the specified period. Court records indicate no further action after compliance.

Martin Lawrence

Known for ‘Bad Boys’ and ‘Martin’, Martin Lawrence entered no-contest pleas in California in separate cases that included battery and a weapons offense, resulting in misdemeanor convictions. The court imposed probation, fines, and community service.

Sentencing also included counseling requirements standard for those offenses at the time. After completing the conditions, he continued working in film and television.

Sanjay Dutt

A leading Bollywood actor recognized for ‘Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.’ among other titles, Sanjay Dutt was convicted under India’s Arms Act for illegal possession of weapons uncovered during investigations into the Mumbai blasts. Courts ultimately imposed a custodial sentence after an extended appellate process.

He surrendered to serve the remaining term and later completed it with remissions applied under Indian prison rules. The conviction remained separate from terrorism charges brought against other defendants.

Michael Jace

Recognized for ‘The Shield’, Michael Jace was convicted in California of second-degree murder for the killing of his wife. A Los Angeles County jury returned a guilty verdict, and the court imposed a lengthy prison sentence.

He is serving the term in state custody with parole eligibility governed by statute. The judgment followed a full trial record with testimonial and forensic evidence.

Dustin Diamond

Known for ‘Saved by the Bell’, Dustin Diamond was convicted in Wisconsin of disorderly conduct and carrying a concealed weapon after a bar altercation; he was acquitted of the top felony count. The court imposed a short jail term and probation.

He served the custodial days and later faced a probation-violation allegation that briefly returned him to custody. The underlying misdemeanor convictions remained in place.

Jaycee Chan

An actor in Hong Kong and Mainland China who appeared in several Chinese-language films, Jaycee Chan was convicted in Beijing for providing a venue for drug use. The court imposed a custodial sentence and a fine.

He issued a public apology after sentencing and completed the term in custody. Following release, he made limited returns to entertainment work.

Kris Wu

A Chinese-Canadian entertainer who acted in titles such as ‘XXX: Return of Xander Cage’, Kris Wu was convicted in Beijing of rape and of assembling a crowd to engage in licentious activities. The court imposed a multi-year prison sentence with an order for deportation after completion.

The judgment followed a criminal investigation involving multiple complainants and digital evidence presented in court. He remains in custody under the sentence as imposed.

Mel Gibson

Known for ‘Braveheart’ and ‘Lethal Weapon’, Mel Gibson pleaded no contest in California to a DUI following a traffic stop, resulting in a misdemeanor conviction. The sentence included probation and an alcohol-education program.

He completed the program and supervision according to the court’s schedule. The case is often cited as a high-visibility misdemeanor resolved by plea.

Shiney Ahuja

An Indian film actor recognized for ‘Gangster’ and other titles, Shiney Ahuja was convicted in Mumbai of rape following a trial in a special court. The judgment imposed a term of imprisonment consistent with the offense under Indian law.

He appealed the conviction, but the trial-level judgment stands unless altered by a higher court. Professional activity was significantly curtailed after the verdict.

Danny Trejo

Known for ‘Machete’ and ‘Heat’, Danny Trejo was convicted of felony offenses, including robbery and drug-related crimes, in California prior to his acting career. The convictions led to multiple commitments to state prison facilities.

After completing his sentences and parole, he began working as a film set counselor and then transitioned to on-screen roles. His criminal record predates his emergence as a widely recognized character actor.

Vince Vaughn

Recognized for ‘Wedding Crashers’ and ‘Dodgeball: A True Underdog Story’, Vince Vaughn pleaded no contest in California to a reduced misdemeanor count of reckless driving following a DUI arrest, resulting in a conviction. The court imposed probation, a fine, and an alcohol-education requirement.

He fulfilled the program and probation terms within the court-ordered window. With the case closed on compliance, he continued his film and television work.

Share your thoughts about these cases—and any others that meet the same criteria—in the comments.