Actors Who Were Caught Shoplifting Long After Becoming Famous

It’s always surprising when celebrities get in trouble with the law, but shoplifting cases involving famous men are especially unexpected. Many successful film and TV actors have faced criminal charges later in life, ranging from simple mistakes to serious legal problems that damaged their careers. This explores some examples of well-known male actors who were accused of shoplifting or minor theft after becoming famous.

Rex Reed

Rex Reed, a famous movie critic and actor known for his role in ‘Myra Breckinridge’, was arrested in 2000 for shoplifting three CDs from a Manhattan Tower Records. The stolen items included movie soundtracks and an album by Peggy Lee. Reed said it was all a mistake, and the charges were ultimately dropped. Because of his public profile, the incident received a lot of media attention.

Richard Madeley

I’ve always been a fan of Richard Madeley, the TV presenter – you probably know him from ‘This Morning’! It’s incredible to me that back in 1990, he actually got caught shoplifting, believe it or not! It happened in Manchester, and apparently involved things like champagne and food. He said it was a genuine mistake – he just forgot to pay for everything while using a self-checkout. It was a big deal at the time, a really public trial, but thankfully the jury found him not guilty. He’s talked about how incredibly stressful the whole experience was, and how much the public attention affected him, which I can only imagine!

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf started his career as a young actor and became well-known for starring in the ‘Transformers’ movies. In 2007, he was arrested at a Walgreens in Chicago after an argument with a security guard. He refused to leave the store after a disagreement, and was initially accused of trespassing. Although he faced other legal issues during his Hollywood career, the charges from the Walgreens incident were later withdrawn.

Andy Dick

Andy Dick is an actor and comedian famous for his work on the TV show ‘NewsRadio’ and the movie ‘Old School’. In 2014, he was arrested in Hollywood for stealing a necklace. According to witnesses, he asked to examine the necklace and then rode off on a bike with it. This wasn’t the first time Dick had trouble with the law; he’s faced multiple arrests related to public intoxication and minor theft. As a result, he’s been in and out of rehab for several years.

Ezra Miller

Ezra Miller became well-known for their roles as the Flash in ‘Justice League’ and in the film ‘The Perks of Being a Wallflower’. In 2022, they were accused of burglary after being caught on camera stealing alcohol from a home in Vermont while the owners were away. This incident was one of several legal and behavioral issues Miller was facing at the time. To avoid potential jail time, Miller later pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of trespassing.

Orlando Brown

I remember Orlando Brown as Eddie from ‘That’s So Raven’ – he was hilarious! It’s really sad to see how things have gone for him since then. He’s had a lot of run-ins with the law, getting arrested for things like stealing. There was even a time he tried to change the locks on a restaurant and had stolen stuff with him. It’s clear he’s been battling addiction and health issues, and unfortunately, all these legal troubles have really hurt his career. It’s tough to see someone you grew up watching struggle like that.

Shaun Weiss

Shaun Weiss is best known for playing goalie Greg Goldberg in the popular ‘Mighty Ducks’ movies. However, years after finding fame as a child, he struggled with legal issues, including several arrests for shoplifting and theft. In 2017, he was jailed for stealing electronics in Los Angeles. Photos showing his declining health during this time circulated widely online. Since then, Weiss has been dedicated to his recovery and has been open about his experiences to inspire others facing similar difficulties.

Todd Bridges

Todd Bridges became well-known for playing Willis Jackson on the sitcom ‘Diff’rent Strokes’. After the show ended, he faced challenges with drug and alcohol abuse, leading to arrests for crimes like shoplifting and drug possession. His legal issues were often reported in tabloid newspapers throughout the late 80s and early 90s. Thankfully, Bridges successfully overcame his addictions and now actively promotes sobriety and mentors young people. He’s returned to acting and television work, and has remained out of trouble.

Brian Bonsall

Brian Bonsall is best known for playing Andrew Keaton, the youngest child on the popular TV show ‘Family Ties’. After leaving acting during his teenage years, he experienced legal difficulties as an adult, including some charges of minor theft. In 2007, he was arrested in Colorado for offenses that happened well after his time in the spotlight. Since then, Bonsall has moved away from Hollywood and is now pursuing a career in music. He hasn’t talked much publicly about his past legal problems in recent years.

Antony Cotton

Antony Cotton is a British actor famous for his role as Sean Tully in the long-running TV show ‘Coronation Street’. In 2008, he was briefly caught up in a shoplifting investigation following an incident at a Manchester clothing store. A security tag was found on an item he was carrying, but Cotton insisted it was a mistake, and he wasn’t formally charged. He remains a popular face on British television.

Edward Furlong

Edward Furlong quickly rose to fame playing John Connor in the hit movie ‘Terminator 2: Judgment Day’. However, as an adult, he’s faced numerous legal troubles, including arrests for public intoxication and shoplifting. One memorable incident involved him attempting to steal lobsters from a grocery store tank in Kentucky. These ongoing issues, along with struggles with substance abuse, have significantly affected his career. Furlong has frequently discussed the difficulties of becoming famous at a young age and how it impacted his life as an adult.

Jeremy London

Jeremy London gained recognition for his roles in ‘Party of Five’ and ‘Mallrats’. After reaching the height of his career, he faced legal issues including arrests for minor theft and disagreements with family members. He publicly claimed he was once kidnapped and forced to purchase drugs, but many doubted his story. His struggles with addiction and legal problems were documented on reality TV shows focused on celebrity recovery. More recently, London has been working to restart his career through independent films and television projects.

Dustin Diamond

Dustin Diamond became well-known around the world for his role as Samuel ‘Screech’ Powers on the TV show ‘Saved by the Bell’. Later in life, he had legal issues, including an arrest in 2014 for a fight involving a knife and accusations of theft. He went to jail for this incident, which happened at a Wisconsin bar. Throughout his adult life, Diamond often said he was bothered by being known only as Screech. He sadly passed away in 2021 after a short fight with cancer.

Butch Patrick

Butch Patrick became famous as a child actor for his role as Eddie Munster in the beloved TV show ‘The Munsters’. Later in life, he faced legal troubles, including an arrest for theft and drug-related crimes. These issues happened many years after the show ended. Since then, Patrick has focused on staying sober and often attends fan events to celebrate his career. He’s still well-remembered as one of the iconic faces of classic television sitcoms.

Leif Garrett

Looking back at Leif Garrett, it’s a really tragic story. He was huge as a teen idol and even had a role in a classic like ‘The Outsiders.’ But after the fame faded, things went downhill fast. He ended up with multiple arrests, including some pretty serious charges like heroin possession and even shoplifting – while already on probation! It’s been well-documented, with several documentaries and news stories detailing his battles with addiction. Thankfully, he’s continued to pursue music and make appearances, and he’s been open about his long road to recovery, which is honestly inspiring to see.

Corey Feldman

Corey Feldman was a hugely popular child actor in the 1980s, known for his roles in films like ‘The Goonies’ and ‘Stand by Me’. As he grew older, he struggled with personal issues and briefly faced legal trouble, including an arrest for a minor theft. This happened as he tried to build a career in music and film outside of being a child star. Now, Feldman is a vocal advocate for protecting young actors in the entertainment industry, and he continues to make music and films while staying in the public eye.

Mark Lester

Mark Lester rose to fame as a child star in the 1968 film ‘Oliver!’. Later in life, he unexpectedly faced legal trouble after being arrested for shoplifting. Before this incident, Lester had stepped away from acting to become an osteopath. He’s occasionally spoken publicly about his time as a young actor and his friendship with Michael Jackson. Even with few recent appearances, Lester remains a popular figure among fans of classic movies.

Brad Renfro

Brad Renfro began his acting career with a promising role in the film ‘The Client’. However, his life was marked by legal troubles, including an arrest for attempting to steal a yacht and several charges related to theft and drug possession. These problems unfortunately hindered his career and led to fewer opportunities. He sadly died in 2008 at the young age of twenty-five.

Nick Stahl

Nick Stahl is an actor who’s appeared in films like ‘The Thin Red Line’ and ‘Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines’. In 2012, he faced legal issues, including arrests for minor theft and other non-violent crimes. Around that time, his family reported him missing as he battled with serious addiction. These struggles and legal troubles received a lot of attention from entertainment news. Since then, Stahl has prioritized his well-being and has resumed his acting career, appearing in various TV shows.

Willie Aames

As a film and TV buff, I remember Willie Aames – he was huge in shows like ‘Eight Is Enough’ and ‘Charles in Charge’! It was really shocking to hear how things later fell apart for him. He’s been open about losing everything, even becoming homeless for a while. Thankfully, he managed to turn things around, and now he’s working as a cruise director and even making films! His story always sticks with me as a powerful reminder of just how unpredictable life in Hollywood can be – you can be on top one minute and facing real hardship the next.

Robert Pastorelli

Robert Pastorelli was a hardworking actor who appeared in many TV shows and movies, but he was most recognized for his role as Eldin Bernecky on ‘Murphy Brown’. He faced personal struggles throughout his life, including legal troubles—he was once arrested for stealing a car—and issues with substance abuse, as well as family tragedies. Despite these difficulties, Pastorelli continued to be a popular actor, known for his ability to bring both humor and emotion to his roles. He passed away in 2004, leaving behind a body of work that audiences still remember fondly.

Bryshere Y. Gray

Bryshere Y. Gray gained fame playing Hakeem Lyon on the TV show ‘Empire’. However, in 2020 and 2021, he faced legal troubles, including an arrest related to domestic issues and disagreements over payments for services. These weren’t simple theft cases, but rather disputes involving money and using resources without permission. These legal problems caused him to step away from public life at the peak of his career. Since then, he’s been working to resolve these issues and has largely stayed out of the spotlight.

Danny Bonaduce

Danny Bonaduce started his career as a child actor on the popular TV show ‘The Partridge Family,’ where he played a main character. Later in life, he became known for a troubled period that included arrests for theft and drug-related offenses. These issues often happened as he was building a new career in radio and reality television. Bonaduce has openly shared his difficulties and frequently uses his personal story to connect with and entertain people. Ultimately, he overcame these challenges and has remained a recognizable figure in the media for many years.

Tom Sizemore

Tom Sizemore was a well-known actor who often played tough characters in movies like ‘Heat’ and ‘Saving Private Ryan’. He struggled with legal problems throughout the 2000s, facing multiple arrests for things like theft and drug use. These issues led to both jail time and court-ordered rehab, which made it difficult for him to get leading roles in big films. Sizemore died in 2023 after years of battling health and legal difficulties.

Jason Mewes

I’ve been a huge fan of Jason Mewes ever since ‘Clerks’ came out – he is Jay! It was really tough to watch him struggle with addiction back in the day, and I remember being shocked to hear about his arrests. Things got pretty serious for a while there, and he was facing some real jail time. Thankfully, with support from his family and friends, he managed to get sober and get his life back on track. It’s awesome to see him doing so well now, and I love listening to his podcast where he talks openly about his journey and his time in the movies.

Adam Hicks

Adam Hicks, who gained fame as an actor on Disney Channel in shows like ‘Lemonade Mouth’ and ‘Zeke and Luther,’ was arrested in 2018 for a series of armed robberies and thefts in Burbank, California. Authorities claimed he and another person robbed multiple people within a few hours. After spending time in the legal system and undergoing health assessments, Hicks eventually pleaded guilty to some of the charges and has remained largely out of the spotlight since then.

Vanilla Ice

Vanilla Ice, the rapper and actor known for the movie ‘Cool as Ice’, faced legal trouble in 2015 when he was accused of burglary and theft. He allegedly took furniture and bikes from an empty home. He said he thought the items had been left behind. Ultimately, he pleaded no contest and was sentenced to community service and a fine. This happened years after his rise to fame in the early 1990s.

Jason London

Jason London, best known for his role in the movie ‘Dazed and Confused’, was arrested in 2013 following an incident at a bar. He was accused of being disorderly and stealing something, and reports said a fight happened before police took him into custody. This occurred many years after he first became famous as a young actor. Despite the legal issues and resulting publicity, London has continued to work in film and television.

Share your thoughts on these celebrity legal stories in the comments.

2026-02-27 15:17