Celebrities are seen as role models to many children, and often adults place them on the same pedestal. Whether it be for fashion inspiration or just for entertainment, we look to celebs as personal friends — even though we will probably never meet them. Something we should all realize, it that they’re human too — and they get arrested like the rest of us. Though many celebs get away with a lot due to special treatment, some don’t; here are 15 of the greatest celebrity arrest rants and mugshots
Jane Fonda
Academy Award-winning actress and fitness guru Jane Fonda was arrested in 1970 at an airport. Apparently, she had a large stash of pills in her baggage — which turned out to be vitamins. Resisting arrest, she kicked a police officer on the scene and was taken to a Cleveland jail. We love this mugshot because of her “f the man” attitude. The greatest part about this one was that she stuck to her guns.
James Brown
James Brown, Godfather of Soul, was arrested in January 2004. He was charged with domestic violence after allegedly pushing his wife, Tommie Rea Brown, to the floor during an argument at the couple’s South Carolina home. He looks like he was taken from his home before he could change out of that funky bath robe, then stuck in a wind tunnel for half an hour. This was by no means the only time he had been arrested, but the mugshot is certainly the most fun of the bunch.
Nick Nolte
The Prince of Tides star Nick Nolte was arrested in 2002 by the California Highway Patrol for driving under the influence. It was also found that he had traces of GHB — the date-rape drug — in his system. He later pleaded no contest to the charges of driving under the influence. We don’t know why GHB would be his drug of choice, but his mugshot is awesome.
David Bowie
Music legend David Bowie was arrested in March of 1976 on a felony pot possession charge. He was nabbed along with his friend Iggy Pop, along with a few others, and was placed in a Monroe County, NY jail for a few hours. The Thin White Duke was only 29 at the time, but his mugshot oozes utter badassery that we can’t ignore. Seriously, the guy looks better in jail than most of us can ever hope for.
Rip Torn
Actor Rip Torn was arrested in 2006 after being pulled over for drunk driving. His car collided with a tractor trailer and he refused to take a breathalyzer test at the scene. This mug shot was taken soon after, at a Westchester, New York police station. It’s dangerous to drink and drive, but it’s awesome to have a name like Rip Torn. Life balances out.
Mel Gibson
Film star Mel Gibson has, arguably, one of the greatest celebrity arrest rants in the history of celebrities. Period. If you missed it, in 2006, Gibson sped home from a Malibu bar while sloshed beyond all belief and sipping from an open tequila bottle. He resisted arrest by the highway patrol officer, dropped quite a few F-bombs and slurs, then launched into an anti-semite rant. The best part? He proceeded to call the female officer who booked him “sugar tits.” He got released on bail.
Robert Downey Jr.
The mugshot on the left of everyone’s favorite star Robert Downey Jr. was taken in 1999 — while he was already serving time on a drug conviction. The one on the right was taken a year later in 2000 after his arrest at the Merv Griffin Resort for drug possession. To say the least, he needed help. Although we love the face he’s making in the left shot — like he was proud of himself — we’re glad he got help and is now able to give us amazing movie experiences again.
Zsa Zsa Gabor
A Hollywood actress more well-known for her string of husbands than body of work, Zsa Zsa Gabor was pulled over in Beverly Hills back in 1989 for an expired license and registration. Impatient for the officer to check records, Gabor up and drove away. When pulled over again, she was asked to step out of the car, and slapped the officer in the face. She was swiftly arrested and charged for battery, disobeying a police officer, driving without license and registration, and driving with an open container of alcohol. She apparently likes her flasks of bourbon.
Matthew McConaughey
Matthew McConaughey was arrested in 1999 after a neighbor called the police complaining about loud music blasting from the actor’s house. He was arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. See his smug grin? He’s probably thinking about how much fun he was having dancing around his house naked and playing the bongos when the cops stopped by.
Glen Campbell
Country singer Glen Campbell was arrested in 2003 on drunk driving and hit and run charges. The 67-year old plowed his BMW into another car in a Phoenix, AZ intersection and fled the scene. When the cops caught up to him at his house, it was apparent how smashed he was. After Campbell was booked, he kneed an officer in the thigh and was further charged with aggravated assault. It must be hard being a rhinestone cowboy.
Mickey Rourke
Mickey Rourke was arrested in 2007 while driving under the influence on a scooter. The star of such flicks as Sin City and 9 1/2 Weeks was booked at a Miami-Dade County Jail and was released on a $1,000 bond. Too bad he couldn’t pay us to ignore that douche-stache.
Pee-wee Herman
Pee-wee Herman, AKA Paul Rubens, has had quite a rocky career. He skyrocketed to popularity with his iconic character back in the 80’s, but after several arrests it’s taken him years to regain any traction. This mugshot was taken in 1991 when he was first arrested for jerking off in a porn theater. He got off (pun very much intended) with doing community service and paying a few fines, but he was arrested several times in connection with child pornography thereafter. You’re a loner, Pee-wee. A rebel.
Daniel Baldwin
American actor, producer and director Daniel Baldwin was arrested in 2006 for “borrowing” a friend’s SUV… without permission. And that was just what led to this mugshot. He looks pretty rough here, but we’re sure all of the cocaine didn’t help. He’d been arrested before for smashing his Thunderbird into several parked cars going 80 MPH, as well as other drug related charges.
Paris Hilton
Hollywood princess Paris Hilton was arrested in 2006 under suspicion of drunk driving. She was basically given a slap on the wrist, but she proceeded to violate her probation and was arrested again — even after she was informed that her license was suspended. She only served 23 days of her 45-day sentence, due to good behavior. We think it was really because of her awesome glamour mugshots.
Foxy Brown
Something about beauty treatments gets rapper Foxy Brown all fired up. She was arrested in 2007 after going nuts in a Florida beauty supply store. An employee caught her in the bathroom using store products, and she refused to leave. She threw hair glue and spat on the employee before 911 responded. After swinging at the cop, she was also charged for battery. Brown was previously arrested for attacking manicurists at a Manhattan salon. In taking a look at her mugshot, we’ve determined that since she can’t fit her hair in the frame, she should really quit hating on beauty products.
