10 TV Stars Who Were Arrested During Production

10 TV Stars Who Were Arrested During Production

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’ll be looking at the most notable television actors and reality stars who were charged with crimes and arrested while production of their respective TV shows was underway.

Jussie Smollett
“Empire” (2015-20)

On “Empire,” Jamal Lyon, played by Jussie Smollett, was a pivotal character, who had a big wedding in one of the final episodes of the fifth season. However, that episode marked Jamal’s final appearance, and he was barely even mentioned afterwards until the series ended. That’s because on February 21st 2019, during production of the fifth season, Smollett was arrested for filing a false police report. He had claimed to be the victim of a hate crime, alleging that two men had attacked him while yelling racial and homophobic slurs. It was later revealed that Smollet had masterminded the incident, paying two brothers to go along with the ruse. He was found guilty of felony disorderly conduct and sentenced to 150 days in jail.

Jerry Harris
“Cheer” (2020-22)

The first season of the Netflix docuseries “Cheer” gained such immense popularity that it turned its central figures into overnight stars. One standout was Jerry Harris, who became known for his exceedingly positive attitude and encouraging mat talk. Harris was beloved by fans, but things took a sour turn in September 2020 when he was arrested by the FBI while production of the show’s second season was underway. He had apparently engaged in highly inappropriate behavior with minors and faced multiple charges in federal court. After pleading guilty, Harris was sentenced to 12 years in prison. The second season of “Cheer” addressed the fallout from this scandal and featured interviews with some of the victims involved in the case.

Stoney Westmoreland
“Andi Mack” (2017-19)

For two years, Stoney Westmoreland starred on the Disney Channel sitcom “Andi Mack” playing the titular character’s grandfather. However, he was abruptly fired just before filming wrapped on the show’s third and final season. The reason for Westmoreland’s sudden dismissal was that in December 2018, he was arrested by police in Salt Lake City, Utah, where the series was filmed. Westmoreland had been trying to engage in unlawful contact with a person he believed to be a teenager on an app, not knowing he was actually communicating with an undercover police officer. After arranging a physical meeting with the supposed teenager, he was arrested. Westmoreland later pleaded guilty to federal charges and was sentenced to two years in prison.

Michael Le Vell
“Coronation Street” (1960-)

English actor Michael Le Vell first appeared as Kevin Webster on the long-running soap opera “Coronation Street” in 1983, and has played the role ever since. In 2011, his job was threatened when he was arrested on multiple charges, including indecent assault of a minor. Although the case was initially dropped, it was later reviewed and Le Vell was charged again two years later. In light of this, the actor was dropped by the show, and the scenes he had already filmed were cut from future broadcasts. Le Vell pleaded not guilty and was tried on 19 charges, but he was ultimately acquitted of all counts. Following the resolution of the case, Le Vell returned to his role on the series.

Porsha Williams
“The Real Housewives of Atlanta” (2008-)

In 2012, Porsha Williams joined the cast of “The Real Housewives of Atlanta” alongside former Miss USA Kenya Moore. But their relationship was hardly ever friendly. In 2014, tensions peaked during the show’s reunion when Williams and Moore got involved in a now infamous physical altercation. As a result, Moore called the police on Williams, which led to a warrant being issued for her arrest on a misdemeanor battery charge. Days later, Williams turned herself in, but she was ultimately released a few hours later on a $2,000 bond. Williams wasn’t the only “Real Housewives” star to face legal issues during filming; Michael Darby, Jen Shah, and Joe and Teresa Giudice have all found themselves in the same predicament.

Columbus Short
“Scandal” (2012-18)

Actor Columbus Short was notoriously fired from the hit ABC series “Scandal” in April 2014, following the end of the show’s third season. This decision was influenced by several legal troubles, including an incident of domestic violence against his then-wife. But during filming of that season, Short had already been arrested in Los Angeles on a felony assault charge. This arrest stemmed from a physical altercation with his in-law at a family gathering, where he threw a punch that knocked the man out. Although Short pleaded no contest to the felony charge and was spared jail time, the issue ultimately contributed to his eventual dismissal from the series.

Todd & Julie Chrisley
“Chrisley Knows Best” (2014-23)

On their reality show “Chrisley Knows Best,” Todd and Julie Chrisley portrayed themselves as successful real estate moguls living a luxurious life. But it seems that was all a facade. While filming the show’s seventh season, the Chrisleys were indicted on multiple criminal charges, including tax evasion and bank fraud, and subsequently arrested. The government accused them of defrauding several banks of over $30 million in fraudulent loans obtained with falsified documents. These loans were allegedly used to fund the lavish lifestyle they displayed on the show. Despite these charges, “Chrisley Knows Best” was renewed for additional seasons. It ultimately ended in 2023 after Todd and Julie were convicted and sentenced to 12 and 7 years in prison respectively.

Abby Lee Miller
“Dance Moms” (2011-19)

In 2010, before gaining fame as the star of Lifetime’s “Dance Moms,” Abby Lee Miller filed for bankruptcy due to owing over $400,000 in back taxes. After the show began airing the following year, Miller’s earnings increased significantly, but despite her improved financial situation, she apparently continued to evade paying taxes. In October 2015, just a few months before the show’s sixth season premiered, the Department of Justice charged her with fraud for trying to conceal about $750,000 in income by creating a secret bank account. She initially intended to fight the charges in court, but later agreed to a deal with the IRS and was sentenced to one year and a day in federal prison.

Robert Downey Jr.
“Ally McBeal” (1997-2002)

Today, he’s one of the most celebrated Hollywood actors, but back in the ‘90 and early 2000s, Robert Downey Jr. faced a turbulent period marked by several personal and legal troubles. After a string of arrests in the late ‘90s, Downey joined the cast of “Ally McBeal” in 2000 for its fourth season, hoping to revive his career. His presence on the show helped boost their ratings. However, during filming, Downey was arrested twice for being under the influence of a controlled substance. The second arrest was the final straw for the show’s producers, who fired him and rewrote the rest of the season without his character. Remarkably, Downey made a full recovery from substance use and successfully revived his career.

Charlie Sheen
“Two and a Half Men” (2003-15)

In December 2009, during production of the seventh season of “Two and a Half Men,” Charlie Sheen was arrested for a domestic violence incident involving his then-wife Brooke Mueller. Sheen faced charges of felony menacing, third-degree assault and criminal mischief, but was released on bond the same day. He ultimately pleaded guilty to misdemeanor assault, in exchange for the charges being dismissed, and was sentenced to probation. This incident jeopardized Sheen’s future on the show, but despite the legal issues and a subsequent stint in rehab, he was allowed to return to work. However, ongoing tensions between him and creator Chuck Lorre eventually led to his dismissal in 2011. Ashton Kutcher replaced Sheen and remained on the series until its conclusion in 2015.

Which of your favorite shows have been impacted by the arrest of a pivotal star? Let us know in the comments below.