20 Times Entitled Celebrities Thought They Were Above The Law

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Welcome to WatchMojo, and today were looking at celebrities who acted as if the rules didnt apply to them, yet would ultimately face consequences - including jail time in some cases.

Reese Witherspoon

In 2013, America's sweetheart had a not-so-sweet moment when she pulled the celebrity card on a police officer. Yep, Reese Witherspoon was riding with her then husband, Jim Toth[a], when he was pulled over for suspected DUI in Atlanta. However, during the stop, Witherspoon reportedly got out of the car (despite being told to stay inside) and threw out the ol Do you know my name? line. To make things worse, she added, Youre about to find out who I am. Reese later admitted she was deeply embarrassed by the incident, but that doesnt stop this from being a textbook example of celebrity entitlement.

Zsa Zsa Gabor

It was the slap heard round Hollywood. The late Zsa Zsa Gabor was known for her glamour and sass, but in 1989, she let her ego get the best of her during a traffic stop. After being pulled over in Beverly Hills for driving without a valid license and registration, the Hungarian-American actress and socialite slapped the police officer across the face. She was promptly arrested and charged with battery - among other offenses. Gabor later claimed the officer was rude, but lets be honest, slapping law enforcement because you didnt get red carpet treatment isnt exactly a solid legal defense.

Ryan Lochte

Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochtes reputation took a nosedive during the 2016 Summer Games in Rio going from national hero to scandal magnet almost overnight. You see, after a night of partying, Lochte made a dramatic claim, saying that he and his teammates were robbed at gunpoint. The problem? It was all made up. In reality, the athletes vandalized a gas station and were confronted by security. Lochtes decision to lie - then flee the country - caused an international incident and revealed a staggering sense of entitlement. Ryan eventually issued a public apology, but by then, the damage to his name was already done.

Wesley Snipes

Wesley Snipes might have played several bad asses over his career, including the vampire hunter Blade, but it turns out he couldn't dodge the IRS. In 2008, the actor was convicted on three misdemeanor counts of failing to file tax returns - despite the many warnings and notices. Meanwhile, his legal team argued he was misled by bad advisors. The court, however, wasnt buying it. Snipes was sentenced to three years in prison and served time from 2010 to 2013, showing that not even Hollywood stars are immune from Uncle Sam.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeoufs past behavior has earned him a reputation for volatility - and sadly, a long history of run-ins with the law. However, his 2017 arrest in Georgia highlighted just how entitled the actor could be. While in Savannah filming The Peanut Butter Falcon, LaBeouf was detained for public drunkenness and disorderly conduct. He could be heard berating officers in police bodycam footage - even threatening their jobs. His racist and profanity laden rant also included the actor saying, Im an American, I pay my taxes - as if that granted him immunity. LaBeouf later showed remorse for his behavior, calling it a new low.

Robert Downey Jr.

Before winning over audiences as Iron Man and Sherlock Holmes, Robert Downey Jr. was much better known for his tabloid scandals than his on-screen roles. One of the actors most infamous moments came in 1996 when he broke into a neighbors home while under the influence and passed out in their childs bed. It marked the second time in three weeks that the police had booked Downey. By continuously violating his probation, Robert showed a blatant disregard for the rules. Downey eventually served nearly a year in prison and spent years rebuilding his career and public image leading to one heck of a redemption arc.

Michael Phelps

Like Ryan Lochte, Michael Phelps is another Olympic swimmer who found himself in hot water. In 2009, a British tabloid published a photo of the renowned athlete using a bong at a party. The picture was taken just months after he won a record eight gold medals at the Beijing Olympics. It didnt take long for the photo to go viral, sparking major backlash. Phelps didnt face any marijuana charges, but the incident cost him sponsorships and led to a three-month suspension. Many critics saw the incident as proof that, like others at the top of their game, Phelps believed his achievements made him untouchable.

Vince McMahon

Former WWE owner and CEO Vince McMahon has never backed down from controversy in fact, hes often leaned into it. Throughout his career including in recent years hes been hit with serious allegations, from misconduct to cover-ups, revealing a troubling pattern of unchecked power. McMahon blurred the lines between fiction and reality by transforming his on-screen persona into a cartoonishly vile figure, openly flaunting traits he was being accused of in his real life. Given whats now publicly known, that character feels less like satire and more like a chilling reflection of his entitlement and belief that he could manipulate both fiction and reality.

Justin Timberlake

In 2007, Justin Timberlake accepted a Brit Award. During his pre-recorded speech, the pop star pleaded with a certain somebody to stop drinking and that they were going to get sloppy. While he didnt mention anybody by name, this clip would come back to haunt Timberlake and delight Britney Spears stans 17 years later. During the early hours of June 18, 2024 in the Hamptons, Timberlake was arrested for driving while intoxicated in addition to ignoring a stop sign and not staying in his lane. Timberlake allegedly claimed that he only had one martini, although he refused to take a chemical test three times. Within the next day, he was being arraigned while his mugshot was made public.

Ezra Miller

Ezra Miller couldnt slow down in 2022, igniting controversy left and right. On a trip to Hawaii, Miller racked up charges such as harassment, disorderly conduct, and second-degree assault. Miller walked away with a restraining order and a $500 fine, but they didnt learn their lesson. Throughout the remainder of the year, Miller was accused of grooming and burglary. While Miller pleaded not guilty to the burglary charge, they pleaded guilty to a trespassing misdemeanor, receiving a year probation. Some argued that Miller got off easy, as Warner Bros. stood by The Flash star leading up to the films premiere. Between that movies historic financial failure and Millers legal troubles, though, the industry seems to be turning on them, even recasting some of their roles.

Martha Stewart

The face of a homemaking empire, Martha Stewart seemed like the last person whod find herself behind bars. That turned out not to be the case when Stewart sold her ImClone Systems shares, sparking an illegal insider trading investigation. In 2004, Stewart was found guilty of conspiracy, obstruction of justice, and making false statements. Stewart only spent five months in prison with two years of probation, but some wondered if her reputation would recover. Yet, it wasnt long until Stewart was back hosting TV shows, writing books, and even defining friendship goals with fellow ex-con Snoop Dogg. Whether or not Stewarts career actually benefited from the negative press, its safe to say her prison stint didnt hurt.

Elizabeth Holmes

Elizabeth Holmes built herself up as the Steve Jobs of the medical world, promising to change healthcare through her company Theranos. Investors, the government, and the public wanted to believe Holmes blood tests were as revolutionary as she claimed. Maybe it was wishful thinking, but people were given various reasons to trust Holmes until a select few looked closer. When Theranos was revealed to be a colossal hoax, Holmes reputation and net worth were wiped out. Things only got worse for Holmes from there, being found guilty on four criminal fraud counts. Some were upset that Holmes wasnt also found guilty of defrauding patients, but a form of justice had been served with the face of Theranos starting her 135-month prison sentence in May 2023.

Felicity Huffman & Lori Loughlin

What do Lynette from Desperate Housewives and Aunt Becky from Full House share in common? Thats right, they both have twin sons! The actresses behind these characters also have something in common: the 2019 Varsity Blues scandal. Huffman and Loughlin were among several others accused of buying their childrens way into college. In Huffmans case, she reportedly paid someone $15,000 to take the SATs for her daughter. Huffman pleaded guilty to conspiracy, as did Loughlin. Along with fines and community service, both would do time. Huffman was sentenced to 14 days, serving only 12, while Loughlin faced a harsher punishment of two months. Since then, Loughlin made fun of herself on Curb Your Enthusiasm while Huffman booked a guest spot on Criminal Minds: Evolution.

Lindsay Lohan

Substance use and an intrusive paparazzi didnt help Lindsay Lohan during her darkest hours. At the end of the day, though, her actions were her own. The actress was given plenty of chances, going to rehab following one DUI arrest, only to be caught driving under the influence again shortly after. While Lohan got off with probation and the shortest of jail stints, she repeatedly failed to meet the courts demands. For violating her probation, Lohan was ordered to spend 90 days in jail and another three months in inpatient rehab, although she only served 14 days supposedly because of overcrowding. Lohan later faced jail time for the theft of a necklace and violating probation, but overcrowding cut her stay short again and again.

Paris Hilton

Paris Hilton is another name that couldnt stay out of the tabloids in the 2000s. In Hiltons case, she seemed to relish the mentality that any publicity is good publicity. Hiltons notoriety climaxed in 2006 when the LAPD caught her driving intoxicated. The heiress walked away with three years probation, a $1,500 fine, and a suspended license. Actually, we guess you could say she drove away, as Hilton got caught speeding a month later, which was just one of her probation violations. The judge threw the book at Hilton. Of course, it was a thin book with Hilton receiving 45 days in jail. 40 of those days were spent under house arrest, but Hilton seemingly learned her lesson until her next arrest in 2010.

Jussie Smollett

With the hit show Empire in its fifth season, Jussie Smollett seemed to have it all. Jamal Lyon was not only seen as a breakthrough role for Smollett, but a trailblazing character for LGBTQIA+ people of color. Those who looked up to Smollett started to sing a different tune after 2019. At first, it appeared that Smollett was the target of a hate crime at the hands of two brothers. Upon further investigation, authorities deduced that Smollett orchestrated the whole thing, paying the brothers to participate in the so-called attack. While the initial charges against Smollett were thrown out, hed soon face another indictment regarding the false report. In 2022, Smollett was sentenced to 150 days in jail, however, the Illinois Supreme Court overturned the ruling, noting that he should not have been prosecuted a second time after the charges against him had been dismissed with a negotiated agreement.

Sean Diddy Combs

Sean Diddy Combs has long been recognized for wielding significant influence both within the music industry and beyond. However, behind the mogul persona lies a pattern of behavior that can only be interpreted as deeply entitled. Several incidents and accusations have reinforced a perception that Combs believed his wealth and fame enabled him to control and intimidate others. Diddy is currently facing a mountain of lawsuits and a federal prosecution alleging abuse and indecent misconduct - among other things. While he has denied all allegations, the sheer number of claims - paired with past behavior - paints a picture of a man who has long believed he was above accountability.

O.J. Simpson

In 1994, former NFL running back and mega star, O.J. Simpson, was charged with the murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. The ensuing trial, dubbed "The Trial of the Century, ended in an acquittal. Many continue to believe Simpsons fame and fortune gave him an unfair advantage in court, bolstered by a dream team of high-profile lawyers. But Simpsons belief that he was untouchable didnt end there. In 2007, he led an armed group into a Las Vegas hotel to retrieve sports memorabilia, resulting in a conviction for robbery and kidnapping. Simpson would continue to flaunt his tainted celebrity status right up until his passing in 2024.

Harvey Weinstein

The #MeToo movement has shined a spotlight on numerous big names accused of abusing their power, including Bill Cosby, Danny Masterson, and R. Kelly. Yet, no downfall shook up the industry more than Harvey Weinsteins. For decades, Weinsteins aggressive behavior was something of an open secret. It wasnt until dozens of women came forward in 2017 that many realized the full extent of Weinsteins crimes. With his list of accusers eventually exceeding 100, Weinstein would be trialed in New York and Los Angeles, being found guilty in both cases. Weinsteins New York verdict was controversially overturned in 2024 due to egregious errors. While a retrial is planned, his separate California conviction ensures his continued incarceration.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump has faced a revolving door of court appearances since 2023, but the most prominent trial thus far concerned hush money allegedly paid to Stormy Daniels amid the 2016 election. On May 30, 2024, the former president was found guilty on all 34 counts regarding falsifying business records. This wasnt the first time Trump lost a high-profile case, being found liable for defamation and abuse against E. Jean Carroll only a few months earlier. However, this was Trumps first criminal conviction. Regardless of his legal woes, Trump would go on to win the 2024 presidential election, becoming the 47th president of the United States.

Whats the most criminal example of entitlement youve ever witnessed on the celebrity circuit? Let us know in the comments!



























[a]Jim Toth = rhymes with "moth" and "cloth" https://youtu.be/T4GQwoNVbBQ?t=201