Television | Crime | Celebrities
Television Personalities Who Are Now in Prison
A list of eight TV celebrities who are paying the price for their crimes
Lord Acton, a 19th century British politician and historian famously said “Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Being rich and famous can have the effect of making celebrities feel above the law. O.J. Simpson, Tim Allen, Bill Cosby, and Martha Stewart have all famously spent time in prison for their various transgressions.
Here is a list of the crimes and sentences of some famous television personalities who are currently residing in prison.
Television Celebrity: Jared Fogle
Claim to Fame: Subway commercial spokesman
Crimes: Distribution and receipt of child pornography. Also, traveling and paying to engage in illicit sexual conduct with a minor — specifically, a 17-year-old from NYC.
Sentence: 15 years and 8 months
Current Location: FCI Englewood, Colorado
Earliest Release Date: March 24, 2029
Television Celebrity: Michael Jace
Claim to Fame: Actor on The Shield
Crime: Second Degree Murder of his wife April Jace
Sentence: 40 years to life
Location: Corcoran State Prison, California
Earliest Release Date: 2054
Television Celebrity: Shannon Richardson
Claim to Fame: Actor on The Walking Dead
Crime: Mailing threatening letters laced with ricin to President Obama, NYC Mayor Bloomberg, and gun-control activist Mark Glaze.
Sentence: 18 years in prison
Location: FMC Carswell, Fort Worth, Texas
Earliest Release Date: Nov. 18, 2028
Television Celebrity: Josh Duggar
Claim to Fame: Eldest child on the reality TV show 19 Kids and Counting
Crime: Receiving and possessing child pornography
Sentence: 12 years and seven months in prison
Location: FCI Seagoville Federal Prison, Texas
Earliest Release Date: Oct. 2, 2032
Television Celebrity: Joe Exotic
Claim to Fame: Played himself in America’s Most Dangerous Pets in 2011 and was the subject of the 2020 Netflix show Tiger King.
Crime: Conspiracy to commit murder-for-hire and violations of the Lacey and Endangered Species Act
Sentence: 21 years in prison
Location: Federal Medical Center (FMC), Fort Worth, Texa
Earliest Release Date: 2041
Television Celebrity: Amy Locane
Claim to Fame: Actor on Melrose Place
Crime: Vehicular homicide and assault by auto
Sentence: Eight years in prison (resentenced after serving a three-year term that was ruled by appeal to be too lenient)
Location: Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women, New Jersey
Earliest Release Date: Dec. 20, 2024
Danny Masterson
Claim to Fame: Actor on That ‘70s Show
Crime: 2 counts of rape
Sentence: 30 years to life in prison
Location: North Kern State Prison, California
Earliest Release Date: 2058
Television Celebrity: Tammy Sytch
Claim to Fame: WWE Professional wrestler known as Sunny
Crime: DUI manslaughter. Driving with a suspended license and causing injury or death
Sentence: 17 years in prison
Location: Volusia County Branch Jail, Florida
Earliest Release Date: 2040
Each one of these cases is a reminder that nobody is above the law.
Being rich and famous has likely resulted in more lenient treatment from authorities in the past. However, on occasion, being rich and famous has probably led to increased scrutiny by the law.
Regardless, the above eight television stars currently in prison are certainly facing consequences for their wrongdoings.
For another television list by Curt: