The Northern Express Herald

Jonathan Taylor Thomas arrest: No charges filed as traffic stop case remains under review

He was the 90s "it-boy" – until he checked out of showbiz for good. Whatever happened to Jonathan Taylor Thomas?
NZ Herald Afternoon Headlines | Long waits for mental health support for young people and Fonterra announces positive results | Thursday, September 24, 2026. Video / NZ Herald

Home ImprovementstarJonathan Taylor Thomas was arrested in California for allegedly obstructing an officer and being drunk in public during a traffic stop.

Thomas also allegedly “kicked a deputy in the stomach” as authorities attempted to detain him, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Office told People.

The 45-year-old was taken into custody in Westlake Village on Monday local time after allegedly failing to follow deputies’ instructions while travelling as a passenger in a vehicle that had been pulled over, according to TMZ.

Authorities told Peoplethe driver was being investigated for suspected drink-driving when Thomas got out of the vehicle.

“The driver was being detained for DUI investigation. Sometime during the investigation, Mr Taylor decided he would exit the vehicle. Deputies told him to sit back down in the vehicle,” authorities told People.

“He was unco-operative with them, failed to follow orders and obstructed the investigation, so he was arrested for obstruction, and he was arrested for drunk in public.”

Jonathan Taylor Thomas stepped away from television and movies after his time as a child actor.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas stepped away from television and movies after his time as a child actor.

Peoplereported that prosecutors have not filed charges against the actor at this stage, although the case remains open for review.

According to court and jail records cited byPage Six, Thomas was arrested in the early hours of Monday morning and held at the Malibu/Lost Hills sheriff’s station before being released more than 34 hours later.

Jonathan Taylor Thomas over the years.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas over the years.

Representatives for Thomas have not publicly commented on the incident.

Once one of the most recognisable young stars of the 1990s, he rose to fame playing Randy Taylor, the middle son in Home Improvement, which aired for eight seasons.

He also voiced young Simba in Disney’s The Lion King and appeared in films including Tom and Huck and Man of the House.

Thomas has been absent from the public spotlight since his fame in the 1990s. In a 2013 interview, the actor told Peoplehe had stepped away from acting to focus on education and travel.

Before he played the dad on Home Improvement, Tim Allen was caught at an airport in possession of more than 650 grams of cocaine. Photo / Kalamazoo Michigan Sheriff’s Department
Before he played the dad on Home Improvement, Tim Allen was caught at an airport in possession of more than 650 grams of cocaine. Photo / Kalamazoo Michigan Sheriff’s Department

It’s not the first time a Home Improvement actor has been in trouble with the law.

Star of the show Tim Allen, who played Tim “The Toolman” Taylor, was arrested at the Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport with 650g of cocaine on October 2, 1978, according to CBS News.

Allen pleaded guilty to felony drug trafficking and assisted authorities with their investigation. He served more than two years in federal prison before being released on parole in 1981.

Allen, now 73, also faced a drink-driving charge in 1997, later pleading guilty and completing probation as well as a rehabilitation programme. In the years since, Allen has spoken publicly about maintaining long-term sobriety.