Celebrity life is often glamorous but not without its ups and downs. Even famous individuals can find themselves on the wrong side of the law. However, for some, legal trouble hasn’t spelled the end of a successful career. Here are five celebrities who have managed to rebound and continue their paths in the spotlight despite legal mishaps.
1. Joshua Jackson
Joshua Jackson, aka Pacey Witter on ‘Dawson’s Creek,’ faced legal issues in 2002 when he was arrested for assaulting a security guard while drunk at a hockey game. With a blood alcohol level of .14, he was charged with assault, but his career didn’t take a nosedive. Despite the incident, Jackson continued to act and starred in ‘Fatal Attraction’ this year.
2. Nina Dobrev
Before ‘The Vampire Diaries’ had even hit screens, leading lady Nina Dobrev and several of her co-stars were arrested for disorderly conduct in 2009. They were taken into custody for a photo shoot that distracted passing motorists in Georgia. Though a worrisome start, Dobrev paid a fine, and ‘The Vampire Diaries’ went on to enjoy success, airing for eight seasons.
3. Tim Allen
Tim Allen’s acting career was almost nipped in the bud when he was arrested in 1978 for cocaine possession, resulting in two years in federal prison. Allen later reflected on the arrest as a moment that allowed him to refocus his life and make amends with friends and family. He went on to star in family-friendly sitcoms like ‘Home Improvement’ and ‘Last Man Standing.’
4. Bruno Mars
In 2010, Bruno Mars faced arrest for cocaine possession in Las Vegas. According to his 2013 GQ interview, the incident taught Mars a valuable lesson:
“I can take this sh*t away from you, young man. That was the lesson. You’ve slaved away for years and years and years. You’ve prepped your whole life. It’s all you know how to do. You’re a kid experiencing life in f*cking Sin City, and that was the lesson: It can all be taken away.”
Despite the legal hiccup, Mars continued to produce hit records and thrive in the music industry.
5. Winona Ryder
A prominent actress in the ‘90s, Winona Ryder encountered legal trouble when she was arrested for shoplifting at Saks 5th Avenue in 2001. Found guilty of grand theft and vandalism, Ryder believes the incident reflected her state of mind at that time. However, her career didn’t fizzle out; she returned to fame thanks to her role in Netflix’s ‘Stranger Things.‘