Celebs Who Defended Convicted Co-Stars Publicly

As a lifelong movie fan, I’ve always been fascinated by the connections between actors, and it’s not uncommon to see those relationships continue even when things get really tough. It’s interesting – when a fellow actor faces criminal charges or a big legal issue, you often see their famous friends rally around them, offering public statements or vouching for their character. This always seems to stir up a lot of discussion about where the line is between loyalty and taking responsibility, especially in Hollywood. I’ve put together a rundown of some instances where celebrities publicly stood by their co-stars after they were convicted of crimes or found legally responsible for something serious.

Ashton Kutcher

Ashton Kutcher wrote a letter to the judge in the Danny Masterson trial. The actors, who co-starred on both ‘That ’70s Show’ and ‘The Ranch’, had worked together for many years. In the letter, Kutcher described Masterson as someone he looked up to, who had a good influence on his life and career. He asked the judge to consider Masterson’s good character when deciding his sentence after he was found guilty of rape. The letter quickly sparked public backlash and criticism.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis wrote a letter supporting Danny Masterson before he was sentenced, and her husband joined her in signing it. Kunis and Masterson became friends while working together on ‘That ’70s Show’ and remained close for many years. In the letter, she praised his good character and said his commitment to a drug-free life had positively influenced people around him. She asked the court to consider his roles as a father and friend, rather than the crimes he committed. After the letter became public, Kunis and her husband, Ashton Kutcher, released a video apologizing for their actions.

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria wrote a letter to the judge supporting Felicity Huffman, her former co-star from the show ‘Desperate Housewives,’ where they worked together for eight seasons. Longoria shared how Huffman had helped her early in her career, both by standing up to bullying on set and offering valuable professional advice. She asked the judge to remember Huffman’s kind nature and good character when deciding her sentence in the college admissions case, and noted that Huffman had taken responsibility for her mistakes.

Marc Cherry

Marc Cherry, who created the TV show ‘Desperate Housewives’, wrote a letter supporting Felicity Huffman after she was found guilty of fraud. He explained that Huffman was a calming influence on set, which could sometimes be challenging due to other demanding personalities. Cherry recalled a time when Huffman helped a fellow actor through a personal problem, even though they didn’t always get along. He believes her actions in the college admissions scandal were very unlike her normally honest and ethical character. Cherry hoped the letter would help the judge understand Huffman’s true personality beyond the scandal.

Taraji P. Henson

Taraji P. Henson publicly called for Jussie Smollett to be released after he was sentenced, using her social media accounts. Henson, who played Smollett’s mother on the show ‘Empire,’ argued his punishment was too harsh, drawing a comparison to the historical lack of justice in the Emmett Till case. She believes Smollett should serve his sentence under house arrest instead of in jail. Her comments sparked debate, considering Smollett was convicted of falsely reporting a hate crime.

Iggy Azalea

Iggy Azalea wrote a letter to the judge in Tory Lanez’s case, asking for a lighter sentence. Having worked with Lanez before, she believed he could change and wanted the focus to be on his rehabilitation, not just punishment. This came after Lanez was found guilty of shooting Megan Thee Stallion. When the letter became public, it sparked criticism, and Azalea later explained that she doesn’t condone violence.

Meagan Good

Meagan Good consistently supported her partner, Jonathan Majors, throughout his public trial for assaulting a former girlfriend. She was seen at court with him during the trial and sentencing, and continued to stand by him even after he was found guilty and lost several acting jobs. Media outlets widely reported on her steadfast support during the domestic violence case.

Harrison Ford

Harrison Ford was one of many well-known people who publicly supported Roman Polanski after he admitted to having unlawful sexual relations with a minor and left the United States. Having worked with Polanski on the film ‘Frantic’, Ford joined others in opposing his return to face legal proceedings. The group argued the filmmaker was being treated unjustly, and this support for a man fleeing prosecution continues to spark debate about responsibility within the Hollywood community.

Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep received criticism for publicly supporting Roman Polanski, even after he was convicted of a crime and fled the country. She stood and applauded when he won an Academy Award, and has expressed a willingness to collaborate with him professionally despite his legal situation. This support became a focal point of discussion when the #MeToo movement grew, and it’s often used as an example of the difficult relationship the film industry has with controversial figures like Polanski.

Whoopi Goldberg

During a conversation on ‘The View,’ Whoopi Goldberg spoke in defense of Roman Polanski, suggesting his crime didn’t fit her definition of rape. This distinction sparked strong reactions from legal professionals and organizations that support victims of sexual assault. Goldberg later tried to explain her statements, but continued to receive criticism for downplaying his conviction for statutory rape. She has also previously voiced support for Bill Cosby when he first faced legal accusations.

Lindsay Lohan

Lindsay Lohan initially voiced support for Harvey Weinstein when accusations against him first surfaced, sharing on Instagram that she felt sorry for him and that he had never hurt her. This came before Weinstein was convicted of rape and sexual assault in several trials. After facing strong public criticism, especially from other actresses, Lohan removed the video. Many viewed her comments as downplaying the serious accusations made by numerous women.

Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson consistently stood by Wesley Snipes when Snipes faced legal issues related to not paying his taxes. The two actors had previously worked together on the comedy film ‘White Men Can’t Jump’. Throughout Snipes’ three-year prison sentence, Harrelson spoke out publicly, calling Snipes a friend and talented actor, and believing the punishment was too harsh. Even after Snipes was released, Harrelson continued to support his return to acting in Hollywood.

Fat Joe

Fat Joe consistently supported Remy Ma throughout her six-year prison sentence. They had previously achieved success together with popular songs like ‘Lean Back.’ While Remy Ma was in prison for assault, Fat Joe often highlighted her talent and good character in interviews. When she was released, he was instrumental in helping her relaunch her career, showcasing a strong bond of loyalty within the hip-hop world.

Kelly Rowland

During an awards show, Kelly Rowland stepped in to support Chris Brown after the audience booed him. This happened after Brown’s conviction for assaulting Rihanna. Rowland, while accepting an award for him, asked the crowd to calm down and spoke about his talent, arguing that everyone deserves a second chance. Her actions sparked a new discussion about how the entertainment industry handles artists who have a history of violence.

Robert Downey Jr.

During an awards show, Robert Downey Jr. publicly asked the entertainment industry to give Mel Gibson a second chance. Gibson had faced significant public backlash and legal trouble, including a conviction for domestic violence. Downey explained that Gibson had supported him through his own difficult times with addiction and legal problems, and he encouraged others to let Gibson move forward with his career without being shamed. This act showed the close relationship between the two actors, even considering Gibson’s past issues.

Jodie Foster

Jodie Foster directed Mel Gibson in her film, ‘The Beaver,’ and publicly supported him during a difficult time in his life. While acknowledging his personal issues, she highlighted his talent and their enduring friendship. Foster expressed her affection for him and affirmed her unwavering support, despite his conviction for battery and controversial anti-Semitic statements. She saw him as a complicated individual whose worst actions didn’t define him. Her backing was instrumental in helping Gibson continue his career in Hollywood.

Candace Cameron Bure

When the college admissions scandal came to light, Candace Cameron Bure publicly showed her support for her ‘Full House’ co-star, Lori Loughlin. Bure described their cast as a close-knit family who support each other during tough times. Although Loughlin later admitted to conspiring to get her daughters into college unfairly, Bure shared photos of them together and said she was praying for her friend. Her actions emphasized their personal bond over the seriousness of the illegal activity.

John Stamos

John Stamos remained a steadfast supporter of Lori Loughlin during and after the controversy surrounding the Varsity Blues scandal. He famously refused to leave her side, even acknowledging the difficult situation while prioritizing his loyalty as she faced consequences, including potential jail time. After she completed her sentence, Stamos shared how the ‘Full House’ cast came together to support her, emphasizing her positive traits and choosing to focus on her character beyond the actions that led to her conviction.

Keshia Knight Pulliam

Keshia Knight Pulliam, who played Rudy on ‘The Cosby Show,’ stood by Bill Cosby as his sexual assault trial began. She publicly showed her support, explaining that the man she knew was not the same person portrayed in the accusations. Pulliam also felt that the show’s positive legacy shouldn’t be affected by the trial. Her presence at court was a strong statement of support for Cosby.

Ethan Suplee

Ethan Suplee wrote a letter asking the judge to consider Danny Masterson’s character when sentencing him. The two actors, who had worked together on ‘The Ranch’ and been friends for many years, had a long history. Suplee’s letter highlighted Masterson as a good person and a loyal friend, emphasizing their positive experiences together and Masterson’s commitment to his family. After the letter became public, Suplee received criticism for supporting a convicted rapist.

Giovanni Ribisi

Giovanni Ribisi wrote a letter to the court asking the judge to be lenient when sentencing Danny Masterson. Ribisi and Masterson have been friends and colleagues for years, and Ribisi portrayed Masterson as a dedicated father and hardworking professional. The letter was an attempt to show Masterson’s positive qualities to the judge before sentencing. Ribisi was among a group of Scientologist actors who publicly supported Masterson.

Debra Jo Rupp

Debra Jo Rupp, who played Danny Masterson’s on-screen mother in ‘That ’70s Show’, wrote a letter to the judge asking for leniency in his sentencing. She shared positive memories of working with him, describing him as respectful and kind. Rupp also highlighted his dedication to his family and the good experiences she had with him over the years. Her support for Masterson came as a surprise to many fans of the show.

Kurtwood Smith

As a big fan of That ’70s Show, I was really surprised to hear about the Danny Masterson trial. It turns out Kurtwood Smith, who played Red Forman, wrote a letter to the court supporting Danny. He described Danny as a good friend and someone the younger actors looked up to – a real leader on set. Kurtwood also mentioned how professional Danny always was and that they were close off-camera. He basically asked the judge to go easy on him during sentencing. Apparently, a lot of the cast got together to write similar letters, trying to support their friend and colleague.

Kim Kardashian

I’ve been following the case of C-Murder, the rapper who was convicted of a teenager’s murder, and I’m really impressed with what Kim Kardashian is doing to help. She’s been using her influence and what she’s learned from studying law to bring new evidence to light – evidence that suggests he might be innocent. She even teamed up with Monica, C-Murder’s ex-girlfriend, to raise awareness. She’s pointing to witnesses who have changed their stories as a reason to reconsider the case, and honestly, it’s brought a lot of attention back to a conviction that’s decades old. It’s amazing to see her using her platform to fight for what she believes in.

Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj has been publicly supporting her husband, Kenneth Petty, despite his past. Petty was convicted of attempted rape in the 1990s and spent time in prison. Minaj has clashed with people online who criticize her relationship, often responding by attacking them. She has also prominently featured Petty in her work and consistently highlights his positive qualities as a father.

Rosie O’Donnell

Rosie O’Donnell strongly supported Martha Stewart throughout her insider trading trial. She went to the trial to show her support and publicly criticized the way the prosecution was handling the case, believing Stewart was being unfairly targeted as a successful woman. O’Donnell visited Stewart while she was facing charges and continued to insist the conviction was wrong. She later praised Stewart’s strength and comeback after being released from prison and returning to television.

Alec Baldwin

After Felicity Huffman was arrested in the college admissions scandal, Alec Baldwin spoke out in her defense. He felt the public and the justice system were unfairly harsh towards her, arguing that her actions didn’t deserve such strong criticism. In a tweet, Baldwin described her as a good person who simply made a mistake, suggesting it was a poor decision rather than a deliberately criminal one.

Diane Keaton

As a lifelong movie fan, I remember when the news broke about Roman Polanski’s arrest, and then I was surprised to see Diane Keaton publicly support him. She’d worked with him before, and she felt strongly that his work as a director deserved to be considered, even with the accusations against him. She joined other big names in the industry in backing him up. It’s become a really sensitive topic now, with the way things have changed, and a lot of people have criticized her for that support. But as far as I know, she hasn’t taken back her signature or changed what she said publicly.

David Lynch

David Lynch publicly supported Roman Polanski and signed a petition opposing his extradition to the United States. Lynch believed Polanski had already been punished for his offense while undergoing psychiatric evaluation and argued that Polanski’s continued freedom was vital for the world of filmmaking. In interviews, Lynch downplayed the seriousness of the statutory rape conviction and felt the legal action against Polanski was unwarranted.

Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese has publicly supported Roman Polanski, adding his name to a petition calling for the director’s release from house arrest in Switzerland. Scorsese believes Polanski is an important figure in film and feels he’s being unfairly treated. The petition claims the legal process against Polanski has been flawed and unjust. Scorsese’s stance is part of a larger pattern of established filmmakers defending a colleague.

Pamela Anderson

Pamela Anderson became a strong public supporter of Julian Assange throughout his legal troubles and time in prison. She regularly visited him both at the Ecuadorian Embassy and later while he was incarcerated. Anderson maintained that his conviction under the Espionage Act jeopardized freedom of the press, consistently portraying him as a champion of truth rather than a criminal through letters and interviews. She continued to support him until his case was resolved with a plea deal and his subsequent release.

Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber publicly supported Chris Brown by sharing a photo that likened him to music legends Michael Jackson and Tupac Shakur. Bieber felt Brown’s talent was unfairly overshadowed by a past mistake – his conviction for assault – and predicted people would appreciate his work only after he was gone. He continued to collaborate with Brown on musical projects as a show of support. However, Bieber’s post received backlash for downplaying the seriousness of domestic violence.

Tyrese Gibson

Before R. Kelly was found guilty in federal court, Tyrese Gibson publicly defended him on Instagram. Gibson stated he wouldn’t stop supporting Kelly, even with the serious accusations and charges against him. He called Kelly a legend in R&B and criticized people for being quick to judge. After receiving criticism for his posts, Gibson said his medication had affected his judgment. Nevertheless, his initial statements showed that Kelly still had supporters within the music industry.

2026-01-18 16:48