Key Takeaways
- Sixth Arrest: Former Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan was arrested for the sixth time in five years on Saturday, Nov. 29.
- Probation Violation: The actor was charged with violating his probation, which stems from a previous domestic violence conviction.
- Fiancée Also Arrested: Bryan’s fiancée, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, was also arrested and is facing five charges, including DUI and attempted assault.
- Legal History: Bryan has a documented history of legal issues, including multiple arrests for domestic violence and DUIs over the past several years.
Former child star Zachery Ty Bryan, best known for his role as Brad Taylor on the hit sitcom Home Improvement, is back in legal trouble. The 44-year-old actor was arrested in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday and charged with violating his probation from a prior domestic violence conviction. This marks his sixth arrest in just five years.
What We Know About the Arrest
According to jail records from Lane County, Bryan was taken into custody on Saturday, Nov. 29, and is currently being held without bail. His fiancée, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, was also arrested and booked at the same facility. Cartwright faces five charges, including driving under the influence (DUI), three counts of reckless endangering, and one count of attempted first-degree assault.
It is currently unclear what specific actions led to Bryan’s probation violation or if he and Cartwright have obtained legal representation.
A Pattern of Legal Issues
Bryan’s recent arrest is the latest in a series of legal battles for the actor. His probation, which is not set to expire until October 2026, stems from a 2023 guilty plea to felony assault in a domestic violence case. As part of a plea deal, he was sentenced to seven days in jail and 36 months of supervised probation.
His history of arrests includes:
- January 2025: Charged with second-degree domestic violence in South Carolina.
- 2024: Arrested twice on separate DUI charges in February and October.
- 2020: Arrested for allegedly strangling his then-girlfriend. He later pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor domestic violence charges.
From Sitcom Star to Legal Headlines
Bryan rose to fame in the 1990s as the oldest son on Home Improvement, which also starred Tim Allen and Patricia Richardson. After the show ended in 1999, he appeared in films like The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift and various TV shows.
In a 2023 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bryan acknowledged the challenges he faced after his time as a teen star, describing his life as a “hamster wheel.” Despite his ongoing legal problems, his fiancée Johnnie Faye Cartwright expressed support for him in 2023, asking for privacy for their family and children as they navigate the situation.