Entertainment
11 Actors You Didn't Know Have Criminal Records
In today's culture, there's a fascination with knowing all the details about a celebrity's life, no matter how sordid they may be. You can blame it on the way social media has put people's information in an easily digestible format or the pressure society places on public figures. Either way, if you dig deep enough, you're bound to find dirt on just about anybody — famous or otherwise. Aside from the highly publicized scandals and run-ins celebs like Justin Beiber or Lindsay Lohan have had with the law, there are actually quite a few actors you didn't know have criminal records. Perhaps the only difference between stars and average citizens is that a member of the Hollywood elite probably won't have to worry about whether or not their legal record will affect them financially in future.
The number of celebs who have a dodgy past shouldn't be too surprising since America has the world's highest incarceration rate — coming in at a rate of about 500 inmates per 100,000 residents — according to the latest numbers from the U.S. Department of Justice's Bureau of Justice Statistics organization. Plus, according to the most recent ranking of the top 100 highest-paid celebrities in the world from Forbes, more than 60 percent are from the United States. So with America's high number of prisoners and stars, you'll probably wonder how you didn't know that these actors have criminal records.
1Emile Hirsch
The star of such films as Into The Wild, Savages, and Milk, in 2015, Emile Hirsch served a little over two weeks in jail for misdemeanor assault, according to CNN.
Click to watch Into The Wild, Savages and Milk.
2Christian Slater
Though most probably know him from creating chaos on Mr. Robot, you might be surprised to learn that Christian Slater was arrested for sexual abuse in 2005, as People reported. Later that year, however, The New York Times reported that the charges were dropped against Slater.
3Will Smith
Long before he was the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Will Smith was arrested on assault charges in 1989, according to Yahoo. Though Smith didn't serve hard time, the incident made waves during the early days of the star's career.
4John Stamos
You might remember him as lovable Uncle Jesse from Full House, but John Stamos was arrested for drunk driving in 2015, according to Yahoo.
5Danny Trejo
He doesn't just play a tough guy with a troubled past on screen. Danny Trejo has a criminal record that could rival his Machete persona, according to The Huffington Post.
6Mark Wahlberg
You might associate this actor with a chain of burger joints, co-starring in Will Ferrell comedies, or even his early days as a rapper. But back in 1988, Mark Wahlberg was arrested for assault, as Esquire noted. In 2014, the New York Post reported that Wahlberg has asked for a pardon, but dropped it later on.
7Matthew Broderick
In the '80s, this star was mostly known for being an adorable heartthrob. But in 1988, Matthew Broderick was involved in a fatal car crash in Ireland that left him with a criminal record and injuries, according to People.
8Matthew McConaughey
Things haven't always been "all right" for this Texan turned actor. Matthew McConaughey was arrested for playing bongos naked while high in 1999, as The Washington Post reported. After being released on a $1,000 bail, the charges against McConaughey were dropped, according to the New York Post.
9T.I.
Known for both his music and acting career, T.I. was arrested on weapon and drug charges in 2010, according to Rolling Stone. Later that year, however, CNN reported that the charges against T.I. were dropped.
10Chace Crawford
There was plenty to gossip about when Chace Crawford was arrested for drug possession in 2010, as People noted. In 2011, however, The Independent reported that the charges against Crawford were dropped.
11Joshua Jackson
Probably best known for his role as Pacey on Dawson's Creek, in 2002, Joshua Jackson was arrested on assault charges that stemmed from an altercation during a hockey game, according to People.
