From hot Hollywood stars to legendary music icons, a number of famous people have stepped on the wrong path, from red carpets to concrete prison cells. Some embezzled millions, others were caught red-handed doing some vile things, but in the end, they were all guilty of heinous crimes.
Here are some of the most infamous stars currently serving time behind cold steel bars.
1. Joe Exotic—22 years in prison
The Tiger King’s Joe Exotic made headlines worldwide for his feud with a renowned animal rights activist, Carole Baskin. Joe’s rivalry with Baskin led him down a dark path, resulting in a conviction for paying hitmen to kill her and charges of animal cruelty for allegedly killing tigers and selling others illegally. In 2019, Joe was found guilty on 17 animal cruelty counts and two attempted murder-for-hire charges, landing him a 22-year sentence, later reduced by a year.
2. Danny Masterson—30 years to life in prison
Known for That ’70s Show, Danny Masterson’s life unraveled after sexual assault allegations surfaced in 2017, with incidents traced back to the early 2000s. The allegations resulted in his dismissal from The Ranch and sparked controversy due to the involvement of Scientology, of which both Masterson and some accusers were members. After a mistrial, a second jury convicted him in 2023, resulting in a 30-year-to-life sentence.
3. Ian Watkins—29 years in prison
You might remember the 2000s indie-emo-rock band Lostprophets. They had millions of fans worldwide, but it all came to naught when the frontman Ian Watkins’ career ended with shocking charges. After arrests for illegal substances, police found disturbing content involving minors on his computer, revealing a history of abuse. In 2013, he pleaded guilty to multiple charges, getting a 29-year sentence. The mothers of two of his victims also received lengthy sentences for aiding him.
4. Michael Jace—40 years to life in prison
The Shield actor Michael Jace shocked Hollywood when he murdered his wife, April, in 2014. Following her request for a divorce, Jace shot her when she came home after picking up their kids from baseball practice. He even made fun of her love for running as he attacked her. Jace then called 9-1-1 to report his actions. In 2016, the court sentenced him to 40 years to life for his crime.
5. Mel Hall—45 years in prison
Former MLB player Mel Hall, who was once famous for lending his skills to teams like the Yankees and the Cubs, was hiding a much darker side from everyone. Arrested in 2007, Hall was accused of multiple assaults on minors, often using his celebrity status to gain their trust. In 2009, he was convicted on several counts and received a 45-year sentence.
6. Ryan Grantham—Life in prison
Actor Ryan Grantham from Riverdale ended his promising career with a shocking and very confusing crime. In 2020, he shot his own mother, allegedly to spare her from witnessing his planned attack on Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. However, he ultimately turned himself in instead. Grantham received a life sentence in 2022, with the possibility of parole after 14 years.
7. Suge Knight—28 years in prison
Death Row Records co-founder Suge Knight had as much trouble with the law as he had success in hip-hop. In 2015, while on the set of Straight Outta Compton, Knight got into a brawl and ended up running over two men, killing one. Originally facing murder charges, Knight pleaded no contest to manslaughter and received a 28-year sentence in 2018, with parole possible in 2034.
8. R. Kelly—31 years in prison
For years, R&B star R. Kelly faced accusations of sexual misconduct, with the first arrest occurring in 2002 over a leaked video involving a minor. Though he was acquitted in 2008, the accusations resurfaced in the 2019 “Surviving R. Kelly” documentary, leading to multiple charges. Kelly now serves a 31-year sentence, with release scheduled for 2045.
9. Jared Fogle—15 years in prison
Jared Fogle, best known for being the face of Subway, built a career on a weight-loss success story, but it ended abruptly in 2015. FBI raids uncovered illegal images and proof of unlawful conduct with minors, resulting in a 15-year sentence after he accepted a plea deal. Fogle may be eligible for release in 2029.
10. Harvey Weinstein—39 years in prison
Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein’s fall from grace began in 2017 when The New York Times and The New Yorker published allegations of sexual abuse. These revelations launched the #MeToo movement, exposing over 100 accusations against Weinstein. In 2020, he was sentenced to 23 years in New York and another 16 years in Los Angeles, although his New York conviction was later overturned, with a retrial pending.
