Share
- Share on Facebook
- Post
- Share to Flipboard
- Pin it
- Post to Tumblr
- Submit to Reddit
- Share on LinkedIn
- Email
Celebrities have proven that no one is above the law no matter their money and fame, with some having the most iconic celebrity mugshots of all time. Because they undoubtedly rank among the coolest and most successful individuals ever, it can be difficult to believe that they would commit a crime.
With fans tracking their every move it’s impossible to hide anything from the public, so being pop culture icons grants them no favors—especially in their legal affairs. Their scandalous lives hit headlines within seconds whenever they run into trouble and the internet almost immediately jumps in to give their two cents.
Justin Timberlake’s arrest and subsequent mug shot after he was arrested in the Hamptons went viral. Exploding the internet with this news, users voiced their displeasure, rehashed his past, and even made memes of his mugshot. Timberlake is not the only celebrity to have ever caused an uproar, here are some of the most iconic mugshots and stories of celebrity arrests and the captivating stories behind them.
The most iconic celebrity mugshots
Justin Timberlake
Starting strong with JT, with his recent arrest, he reportedly claims to only have had “one drink” when he was pulled over around midnight on June 18th. Many on the internet were upset stating that someone of his wealth could have called an Uber or had someone sober drive him.
Page six’s report of JT’s response has made his arrest go viral. His arresting officer did not recognize Timberlake because he “was so young that he didn’t even know” who the 10-time Grammy winner was. Justin hilariously said, “This is going to ruin the tour.” The cop replied, “What tour?” and Justin said, ‘The world tour.’”
Frank Sinatra
In 1938, 23-year-old Sinatra was arrested for seducing his ex-girlfriend and leading her on with the hope of marriage. However, when they found out she was married they dropped the charges. He was then charged with adultery and paid his bond so he ended up spending a short time in jail.
Lindsay Lohan
Our favorite child star was arrested quite a few times–every single one of her mugshots is iconic. It all started in May of 2007 when she was charged with a DUI and possession of cocaine. In July 2007, she was arrested for suspicion of a DUI, possession of cocaine, and driving on a suspended license.
In May 2010 she was given a SCRAM device to prohibit her from consuming drugs or alcohol as per her bail. In 2011 she was arrested again for stealing a $2,500 necklace from a jewelry store in Venice. She is taken in for allegedly hitting a man with her car in September of 2012 and then again in November for punching a woman in the face in New York City.
Justin Bieber
Everyone knows that Justin Bieber went through his bad-boy phase when he was growing up. But in 2014 he may have taken it a bit too far and was arrested for drunken driving, resisting arrest, and driving without a valid license in Miami Beach. When Bieber was pulled over his response wasn’t exactly amicable and said “What the f— did I do? Why did you stop me?”.
Jeremy Meeks
This story is straight out of a fairy tale– well sort of. Jeremy Meeks was a former Crips street gang member who rose to fame with his mugshot. He was first charged with robbery and assault at 18 and then was arrested for gun possession and resisting arrest in 2014.
After the police department posted his mugshot on Facebook, it went viral and completely changed his life. He then was signed to a modeling agency White Cross Management and modeled for brands like Tommy Hilfiger and Philip Plein. His new autobiography comes out Sept. 3, 2024, detailing his tumultuous life.
Nina Dobrev, Sara Canning, Kayla Ewell, and Candice Accola
In a photo shoot, four “The Vampire Diaries” stars, Nina Dobrev, Sara Canning, Kayla Ewell, and Candice Accola, ended up arrested and in jail for disorderly conduct. A driver called the police stating that women were hanging on the side of the bridge and flashing them.
David Bowie
In 1976, following David Bowie’s performance at the Community War monument, Bowie and Iggy Pop were both arrested in upstate New York for possession of marijuana. The police discovered almost half a pound of marijuana, Bowie paid for his and Pop’s bond and was released.
Matthew McConaughey
McConaughey was hilariously arrested in 1999, for “disturbing the peace” in his home. When the police arrived he was completely naked, under the influence of drugs, and playing the bongos. The actor ended up paying a $50 fine but it was something that the public wouldn’t let him easily forget.
Paris Hilton
The iconic heiress, Paris Hilton, was in some legal trouble when she was caught with cocaine in her purse in 2010. The Las Vegas police charged her with possession of a controlled substance. She later would have some more run-ins with the law when violating her probation with an “ alcohol-related driving case”.
Keanu Reeves
Our beloved heartthrob Keanu was arrested for a DUI in May 1993. To avoid formal charges, Reeves allegedly confessed right away.
Cher
Cher was arrested when she was very young– around 13 or 14 years old. Her mother Georgia Holt said Cher was watching her friend’s car because he was to “run and do something”. When she ended up in the way of other drivers, she took the car to a drive-in movie. Regarding the incident, Cher said, “I just thought, ‘I’m going to take us out,’ and so we went to a drive-in to get something to drink, and we got arrested. But not exactly arrested — just taken to jail.”
Hugh Grant
The Notting Hill star got himself into a bit of a spectacle in 1995. This heartthrob had his run-in with the law when he was engaging in public lewd behavior with a sex worker, Divine Brown.
Khloe Kardashian
In 2007 our favorite reality star, Khloe Kardashian was pulled over for driving under the influence (DUI). Khloe has previously reflected on this incident saying, “I went to jail when I was like 22. I went to jail for a DUI, not smart. Don’t drink and drive.”
Robert Downey Jr
Our Iron Man used to be “deeply troubled” in the 90s. Specifically, this photo came to be in 1996, when he was arrested for possession of heroin, cocaine, and an unloaded .357-caliber Magnum. After that, he was placed on three years of probation and had to submit to an obligatory drug test. He later failed to go to drug testing and was sentenced to three years in jail in 1999.
Eminem
Eminem had a bit of a debacle outside of a nightclub in Michigan when he saw John Guerra kissing his wife, Kim Scott. His response was to hit Guerra with his pistol and was charged with assault with a deadly weapon. He also faced charges for allegedly carrying a concealed weapon and “brandishing a firearm”.
Jane Fonda
Jane Fonda was a huge part of the feminist movement and inspired many people worldwide. On Nov 3, 1970, she was arrested for drug smuggling and posed iconically with her fist up to show her defiance. It was later discovered that the officer was ordered to arrest her because the Nixon White House was not happy with her anti-Vietnam War activism. She even had the FBI and CIA watching her and The National Security Agency listening to her phone calls.
Kiefer Sutherland
24 star Kiefer Sutherland was arrested for driving while intoxicated in 2007. Sutherland was taken to the police station in Hollywood, where he posted $25,000 bail and was released.
Heather Locklear
Inlate February 2018, Heather Locklear was arrested on suspicion of felony domestic battery and three counts of battery on a police officer. According to People, Locklear verbally threatened deputies, saying she would “shoot them if they ever came to her house again.” Yikes.
Natasha Lyonne
In 2001, Natasha Lyonne was arrested for a DUI. In 2004, she was charged with mischief, trespass, and harassment of a neighbor (and the neighbor’s dog)—but turned herself in at a New York court.