24 of the Most Famous and Iconic Celebrity Mugshots That Made Headlines

Celebrity mugshots have a way of making headlines, often revealing a side of stars that the public never expects. Some of these infamous snapshots were taken during brushes with the law, from run-ins with drugs to more serious charges, while others highlight bizarre or even humorous moments in the lives of the famous. Let’s take a look at 24 of the most memorable mugshots in celebrity history.

Bill Gates' mugshot was taken in Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 1977 after he was caught driving without a license and running a stop sign. A year later, Gates moved Microsoft to Seattle, where he picked up three speeding tickets in his Porsche 911. Despite the arrest, Gates went on to become the second wealthiest person in the world with an estimated worth of $110 billion, according to Forbes.

Frank Sinatra, in 1938, was arrested in Hoboken, New Jersey, for seducing a woman under the promise of marriage. The FBI report described the encounter as Sinatra having sexual intercourse with a "single female of good repute." He was released on $1,500 bail, only to be arrested again a month later on adultery charges when it was revealed the woman was married.

Jay-Z, born Shawn Corey Carter, was arrested in December 1999 for allegedly stabbing record producer Lance “Un” Rivera at New York’s Kit Kat Club. Jay-Z was initially charged with felony assault and faced up to 15 years in prison. He pled guilty to a lesser charge of misdemeanor assault and was sentenced to probation.

Rapper Eminem, aka Marshall Bruce Mathers III, was arrested on June 4, 2000, for pistol-whipping a man who was allegedly kissing his wife, Kim Mathers, outside the Hard Rock Sports Bar in Warren, Michigan. Though prosecutors dropped the charge of assault with a dangerous weapon, Eminem pled guilty to carrying a concealed weapon and was sentenced to two years probation.

Nick Nolte's mugshot from 2002, following a DUI and drug charge, became one of the most viral images online. Arrested in Malibu for being under the influence of GHB, Nolte later reflected on the photo in his memoir, describing his appearance as looking "like an asylum inmate out for a lark," a far cry from his "Sexiest Man Alive" title from 1992.

Jeremy Meeks, a former gang member, became an internet sensation after his mugshot was posted by Stockton Police on their Facebook page. Arrested during a gang sweep, his good looks and piercing eyes turned him into a viral sensation, earning him modeling contracts. He now boasts over 1.6 million Instagram followers.

In 1976, David Bowie was arrested in Rochester, New York, for marijuana possession following a concert. Bowie and Iggy Pop were both arrested after 6 ounces of marijuana were found in their hotel rooms. They spent one night in jail before being released on bail. The charges were eventually dismissed when a grand jury declined to indict them.

Keanu Reeves was arrested for DUI and reckless driving in Los Angeles in 1993. Although he admitted to driving under the influence, he was not formally charged. This brush with the law remains one of the few negative moments in the actor’s otherwise scandal-free career.

Michael Jackson's mugshot was taken in 2003 after he was arrested and charged with molesting 13-year-old Gavin Arvizo. Jackson’s legal troubles continued for years, but the charges were eventually dismissed, and he was acquitted of all charges in 2005.

James Brown, the "Godfather of Soul," was arrested in 2004 in Aiken County, South Carolina, on charges of domestic violence against his wife, Tomi Rae Brown. Brown had been arrested multiple times for domestic violence incidents over the years. He pled no contest to the charges and paid a fine.

Robert Downey Jr. was arrested in 1999 after missing a required drug test while on probation for a 1996 drug possession charge. Known for his struggles with substance abuse, Downey had multiple run-ins with the law before finally turning his life around. He was later arrested twice in 2000 and 2001 for drug-related offenses.

Al Pacino's mugshot from 1961 was taken after he was arrested for possessing a concealed weapon in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Pacino and two friends were found driving around suspiciously in a car with a loaded .38 caliber pistol. Though he spent three days in jail, the charges were eventually dropped.

In 2014, Justin Bieber was arrested in Miami for drag-racing a Lamborghini, resisting arrest, and driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs. Bieber pled guilty to resisting arrest and a lesser charge of driving without due care, ultimately avoiding jail time.

Martin Luther King Jr. was arrested during the 1956 bus boycotts in Montgomery, Alabama, which were sparked by Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her seat to a white man. King’s arrest was a pivotal moment in the Civil Rights Movement, and he later won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Lindsay Lohan has had several run-ins with the law, but her 2010 mugshot stands out. After violating probation from two 2007 DUI arrests, Lohan was sentenced to three months in jail and 90 days in rehab.

Bruno Mars, born Peter Gene Hernandez, was arrested for felony cocaine possession in 2010 in Las Vegas. He later pled guilty to the charges, paid a fine, and completed 200 hours of community service, as well as drug counseling.

Mick Jagger’s mugshot from 1967 was taken after he was arrested for amphetamine possession at a party in Sussex, England. Jagger and Keith Richards were convicted, but their sentences were overturned on appeal.

Nina Dobrev and her Vampire Diaries co-stars were arrested in 2009 for flashing drivers on a bridge in Georgia. The group was charged with disorderly conduct and fined $4,000.

Rapper 50 Cent was arrested in 1994 for selling heroin and crack cocaine in New York. He served time in prison before rising to fame as one of the most successful rap artists in the world.

Paris Hilton was arrested in 2010 for felony cocaine possession after a container of the drug fell from her handbag in Las Vegas. She pled guilty to misdemeanor charges, received probation, and was ordered to complete community service.

Khloé Kardashian was arrested in 2008 for violating the terms of her probation for a DUI conviction. She served just 30 hours in jail due to overcrowding, despite initially being sentenced to 30 days.

In 1993, Snoop Dogg turned himself in to face charges related to the 1993 shooting death of Phillip Woldemarian. Snoop was later acquitted of all charges after a legal battle.

Tupac Shakur was arrested in 1993 for sexual assault in New York. He served 9 months of a 4-and-a-half-year sentence before being released. Tupac's murder remains unsolved.

Chris Tucker was arrested in 2005 for reckless driving after he led police on a 10-mile chase while speeding in his Bentley. He pled guilty to speeding and eluding police, paying a hefty fine.