Last Updated on April 30, 2025
The popular image of domestic violence usually involves a beer-swilling, shirtless husband beating his wife to vent his frustration with life. But in reality, people of all classes, genders, and orientations are accused of committing domestic violence, including actors, musicians, athletes, and more. In fact, many real-life domestic abuse cases involve individuals who are both rich and famous.
Celebrities Arrested for Domestic Violence
Charlie Sheen
Charlie Sheen has been accused, arrested, and convicted multiple times for domestic violence and assault against women. In 1994, he was accused of hitting a woman repeatedly after she refused to have sex with him. He was arrested for domestic assault in 2016 after allegedly beating his girlfriend, pornstar Brittany Ashland, who said he held her by the hair and slammed her head into the floor. He served two years of probation for a suspended prison sentence.
In 2006, his ex-wife, Denise Richards, filed for a restraining order against him, saying that, among other things, he physically abused her and threatened her.
Sheen was arrested on Christmas of 2009 and booked for second-degree assault, menacing and criminal mischief related to a dispute with his wife, Brooke Mueller, in which he allegedly held a knife to her throat. He pled guilty to misdemeanor assault and had to spend 30 days in rehab, complete 36 hours of domestic violence counseling, and serve three months of probation.
A pornstar sued him in 2009, accusing him of choking her and threatening to kill her. Then in 2014, a dental technician sued him, claiming he grabbed her breasts and punched her.
Sheen’s ex-fiance, Scottine Ross, sued him for assault, battery, and false imprisonment in 2015, saying he put an unloaded gun to her head and pulled the trigger multiple times. In 2016, she filed a restraining order against him after he left a threatening voicemail regarding the lawsuit.
Finally, in 2017, he was sued by an ex-girlfriend who said he knowingly exposed her to HIV.
Heather Locklear
As one of the most famous females accused of domestic violence, Heather Locklear certainly deserves a spot on this list. When the Sheriffs arrived to investigate the allegations, she attacked them. Locklear faced eight charges, six for assault on an officer and an EMT and two for domestic violence. In the end, she pled guilty in exchange for a sentence of only 30 days in a mental health facility and three years of probation.
Emma Roberts
One of the lead actresses of American Horror Story and the niece of Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts, was arrested for domestic violence against her boyfriend and AHS co-star, Evan Peters, after police responded to a call about a fight the couple was having in their hotel room. As Evan had a bloody nose and a bite mark on him, police arrested Emma. Witnesses said that the couple was seen hitting each other. Evan refused to press charges, and Emma was released a few hours later.
It’s worth noting that this incident happened in Montreal. Were the same thing to happen in California, prosecutors may still file charges even if the alleged victim doesn’t want them to.
Chris Brown
One of the best-known instances of celebrities being charged with domestic violence, Chris Brown, pled guilty to felony assault and making criminal threats after abusing his then-girlfriend Rhianna after a public fight at a Grammy’s pre-party. He was sentenced to five years of probation.
Brown has also been accused of many other violent crimes against women, including other cases of domestic violence and rape.
Justin Roiland
Justin Roiland, co-creator of Rick and Morty, was accused of domestic violence in 2020, but the story wasn’t reported in the news until January of 2023. After the allegations were made public, it also came to light that he had a history of grooming young girls for sexual encounters.
The situation became a flash point in the debate between people who feel everyone, even celebrities, should be held to the same standards and those fighting against “cancel culture.” While the charges were dropped in March of 2023 due to insufficient evidence, many who rallied against him pointed out that the grooming allegations were even more problematic.
Christian Slater
After police discovered Christian Slater fighting with his girlfriend while drunk and high in 1998, he was charged with domestic abuse of a female companion, battery on a police officer, and being under the influence of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, three months in a drug treatment program, and one year in a treatment program for batterers.
In 2005, he was arrested and charged for touching a woman’s butt while walking down the street in New York, though the charges were eventually dropped.
Nicolas Cage
Nic Cage was arrested for domestic violence and disturbing the peace in New Orleans in 2011, but the charges were dropped because no marks were seen on his wife’s arm, and she insisted he did not touch her from the first time she spoke with the police on.
While he did not face charges for the allegations, Cage was later accused of abuse by another ex in 2018.
Joe Budden
Rapper and podcaster Joe Budden was arrested for domestic violence after allegedly choking his pregnant girlfriend and intentionally sitting on her stomach, resulting in a miscarriage.
He was also accused of abusing another ex, breaking her nose and fracturing her rib.
In 2014, he was accused of stealing an ex’s phone, choking her, and more. He pled guilty to disorderly conduct, and the domestic violence and robbery charges were dropped.
Mel Gibson
In 2011, Mel Gibson pled no contest to misdemeanor battery of his ex-girlfriend, Oksana Grigorieva, after he was accused of slapping her. As part of his plea deal, he served no jail time and was sentenced to three years probation, community service, and mental health counseling.
Famous People Accused of Domestic Violence
While many celebrities have been charged with domestic violence, even more have been accused of assaulting their partners without being arrested for the crime. Among those who have been said to have hit their partners, but were never arrested for doing so are:
- Johnny Depp
- Eminem
- Mike Tyson
- Bobby Brown
- Alec Baldwin
- Mickey Rourke
- Wesley Snipes
Many celebrities have been accused of domestic violence, proving that an arrest for domestic battery does not need to ruin your life. If you have been arrested for a similar issue, please call Peter M. Liss at (760) 643-4050 to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case.
Related Article: Want to get more dirt on celebrities accused of crimes? Check out these famous people accused of drunk driving and the story of how Alec Baldwin was cleared of manslaughter charges.
