Most people know celebrities go to jail occasionally for DUI charges or tax problems, but some famous faces have been locked away for years on serious felony convictions. While tabloid headlines move on to fresher scandals, these household names remain in prison cells, serving lengthy sentences for shocking crimes. From beloved TV stars to chart-topping musicians, these cases prove that fame offers no immunity from justice when the charges involve murder, sexual assault, and other devastating offenses.
Danny Masterson got 30 years for rape charges
The That ’70s Show star seemed like the laid-back guy next door during his eight seasons playing Steven Hyde, but his wholesome image crumbled when three women came forward with rape allegations in 2017. Each victim described similar scenarios where Masterson allegedly gave them alcohol at his home between 2001 and 2003, then assaulted them when they became disoriented. The Los Angeles Police Department launched a sexual assault investigation that would drag on for years.
After a first trial ended with a hung jury in 2022, prosecutors tried again and secured convictions on two of three rape counts. Masterson received a sentence of 30 years to life in September 2023, with no possibility of parole before serving 25 and a half years. He’s currently housed at California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo. The case also exposed how the Church of Scientology allegedly pressured victims to stay silent, adding another layer of controversy to an already shocking fall from grace.
Harvey Weinstein faces decades behind bars
The movie mogul who produced Oscar winners like Shakespeare in Love and Good Will Hunting became the face of Hollywood’s #MeToo reckoning when nearly 100 women accused him of sexual harassment and assault. After years of rumors and whispered warnings in industry circles, investigative reports in 2017 finally brought his alleged crimes into the spotlight. The accounts painted a picture of systematic abuse spanning decades, with Weinstein using his power to silence victims.
New York prosecutors secured convictions for rape and criminal sexual acts in 2020, resulting in a 23-year sentence. California added another 16 years for additional crimes, meaning Weinstein faces nearly four decades in prison. The 72-year-old is currently at Mohawk Correctional Facility in New York, about 100 miles north of Albany. British authorities have also authorized charges for alleged assaults in London, showing the global reach of the case that changed Hollywood forever.
Josh Duggar serves 12 years for child exploitation images
The oldest son of the famous 19 Kids and Counting family seemed to embody conservative Christian values until federal agents raided his Arkansas car dealership in 2021. Investigators found disturbing child sexual abuse images on his computer, including content so extreme that a Homeland Security agent called it among the worst he’d ever examined. The discovery shattered the squeaky-clean image the Duggar family had carefully cultivated through their reality TV empire.
Duggar’s legal troubles actually began years earlier when police reports surfaced revealing he had molested several young girls, including his own sisters, as a teenager. His parents handled the situation through their church rather than law enforcement, consulting with leaders who recommended only a stern talking-to from a state trooper. That trooper was later convicted of child sexual abuse crimes himself. Duggar is serving 12 years and seven months at Federal Correctional Facility Seagoville in Texas, with possible release in October 2032.
R. Kelly got 30 years for sex trafficking
The R&B superstar behind hits like I Believe I Can Fly spent decades dodging serious consequences for alleged sexual misconduct, but federal prosecutors finally built an airtight case in 2019. The charges painted a disturbing picture of Kelly and his associates recruiting young girls, isolating them from families, and controlling every aspect of their lives. Victims testified about psychological manipulation and physical abuse that went on for years while Kelly maintained his successful music career.
A New York jury convicted Kelly of racketeering and sex trafficking in 2021, leading to a 30-year sentence. Chicago prosecutors added another 20 years for child pornography charges, though the sentences run concurrently. The 58-year-old singer was even attacked by a fellow inmate in 2020 while awaiting trial, suffering a serious concussion. Kelly remains in federal custody, and his case marked a turning point in how the justice system handles powerful men accused of systematic abuse.
Jared Fogle serves 15 years for child exploitation
The Subway spokesman who became famous for losing 245 pounds seemed like an inspiring success story until FBI agents raided his Indiana home in 2015. The investigation revealed Fogle had received child sexual abuse images from the head of his own charity foundation and traveled across state lines to have sex with minors. Text messages showed him discussing sexual abuse of children as young as nine years old and trying to recruit accomplices to connect him with underage victims.
Facing up to 50 years if convicted at trial, Fogle pleaded guilty to distribution and receipt of child sexual abuse images plus traveling to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor. He received 15 years and eight months in federal prison and was ordered to pay $1.4 million in restitution to 14 victims. The former pitchman is currently at Federal Correctional Institution Englewood and won’t be eligible for release until March 2029. His case showed how predators can hide behind wholesome public images while committing horrific crimes.
Ryan Grantham killed his mother and planned more violence
The Canadian child actor appeared in nearly 40 movies and TV shows, including Diary of a Wimpy Kid and Riverdale, before his promising career ended in the most shocking way possible. On March 31, 2020, the 21-year-old shot his mother in the back of the head while she played piano in their British Columbia home. He then loaded his car with guns and ammunition and began driving toward Ottawa with plans to assassinate Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Grantham changed his mind about the assassination plot and considered carrying out a mass shooting at his former university before ultimately turning himself in to police. Court-appointed psychiatrists determined he was suffering from major depressive disorder and cannabis use disorder at the time of the crimes. He pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a life sentence with possibility of parole after 14 years. His attorney says Grantham is getting help in prison and has gained insight into his actions, though nothing can undo the tragedy he caused.
Mel Hall preyed on young girls through baseball connections
The former New York Yankees outfielder used his celebrity status in the most disturbing way possible, targeting teenage girls and their families through his baseball fame. In 1989, Hall noticed a 15-year-old high school freshman in the stands and began grooming her family by offering financial help and pretending to be lonely with his new team. He eventually moved into the family’s home and began a sexual relationship with the girl, with her parents’ misguided consent.
After retiring from baseball, Hall became a youth sports coach and repeated the same pattern with girls on his teams, earning families’ trust before sexually abusing their daughters. Two victims finally connected online in 2007 and went to police, leading to Hall’s arrest and conviction on three counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. He received 45 years in prison without parole for over 22 years. The former major leaguer is serving his sentence at H.H. Coffield Unit in Texas and won’t be eligible for parole until November 2031.
Joe Exotic planned a murder for hire scheme
The Tiger King star became a household name through Netflix’s wildly popular 2020 documentary series, but viewers learned his eccentric personality masked serious criminal behavior. Joseph Maldonado-Passage ran the G.W. Zoo in Oklahoma while feuding intensely with animal rights activist Carole Baskin, who he blamed for interfering with his business. The conflict escalated to the point where Exotic decided the only solution was eliminating Baskin permanently.
Federal investigators caught Exotic trying to hire a hitman for $3,000 to kill Baskin, along with other wildlife violations including killing five tigers and illegally selling baby lemurs. He received a 22-year sentence in 2020, later reduced by one year on appeal. The flamboyant zookeeper’s attempts to get additional sentence reductions have failed, and he remains in federal custody. His case showed how reality TV fame can’t protect someone from facing consequences for serious federal crimes involving murder plots and wildlife trafficking.
Tory Lanez shot Megan Thee Stallion
The Canadian rapper seemed poised for long-term success after his 2016 album I Told You produced Grammy-nominated hits, but his career derailed completely after a 2020 incident involving fellow artist Megan Thee Stallion. Following an argument, Lanez shot Megan in the feet with an unregistered semiautomatic firearm, leaving her with minor injuries but major trauma. The case became highly publicized as Megan spoke out about domestic violence and victim-blaming in hip-hop culture.
Despite maintaining his innocence throughout the legal proceedings, Lanez was convicted on multiple charges including assault with a semiautomatic firearm and carrying a loaded, unregistered firearm in a vehicle. He received a 10-year sentence in August 2023 and has already faced violence in prison, getting stabbed multiple times by another inmate in 2025. The incident forced his transfer to a different facility. Even from behind bars, Lanez released an album called Peterson in March 2025, though his music career will remain on hold for nearly a decade.
These cases remind us that celebrity status provides no shield against the consequences of serious crimes. While tabloid attention moves on to fresher scandals, these famous faces continue serving lengthy sentences in facilities across the country. Their stories serve as sobering examples of how quickly fame and fortune can disappear when someone chooses to commit devastating crimes against others.
