'90s Heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas' Reputation Takes A Hit After LA Arrest

'90s heartthrob Jonathan Taylor Thomas is making headlines after getting arrested in Los Angeles on September 21, 2026. The former child actor has maintained a relatively clean record over the decades, but his streling reputation is taking a hit after the recent development. He was detained on suspicions of obstruction and intoxication during a late-night traffic stop where Thomas was the passenger. "While field sobriety tests were being performed on the driver, the passenger (Jonathan Weiss) appeared intoxicated, continually exited the vehicle and approached the deputies, distracting them from their investigation," a statement from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department shared with Entertainment Weekly stated. They also claimed that the star "kicked a deputy in the stomach." He was booked and released the next day. 

The arrest occurred just a few months after Thomas resurfaced for a rare "Home Improvement" reunion, where he posed for a photo with his former costars Patricia Richardson and Taran Noah Smith. Thomas had stepped away from acting and public life over the past 15 years, choosing to live a quieter and more private life. As a '90s star who completely vanished from the spotlight, Thomas focused on his schooling to learn how to write and direct behind the camera. While he briefly made guest appearances on Tim Allen's "Last Man Standing" from 2013 to 2015, he has mostly remained off-screen.

Thomas' arrest has many questioning his current lifestyle. "I loooooooved JTT and have a forever millennial soft spot for him. But not often a good sign when a child star who hasn't been in the spotlight for decades shows up in the news for drinking and an arrest... Hopefully this is a one off and he's all good in his regular life," one fan wrote on X.

Throwback photos of Jonathan Taylor Thomas aren't the only thing giving '90s vibes. Fans are still flocking to JTT like he's on the cover of Tiger Beat. "Love this for him! Hes the LEAST problematic. Lol He wasnt driving... He gets a pass," one Facebook user commented on a post by Entertainment Tonight. Social media users have also been comparing Thomas to his "Home Improvement" on-screen brother Zachery Ty Bryan, who managed to have six arrests in just five years. "Compared to the trouble his co-star Zachery Bryan has gotten into in recent years, this is nothing," an X user commented.

Given the recent spotlight on former child actors and their mental health and wellbeing following the tragic passing of Hayden Panettiere, some are concerned for the former "The Lion King" actor. "The child star curse never stops Hollywood is a cess pool," a user said in response to his arrest. "All three of the Taylor boys have been arrested atp, although Mark's was just for pot," another user replied. Others expressed their concerns for Thomas and hoped that his rare run in with the law is a one-time thing that does not mark the start of a troubled turning point in his life. "Just wish it was news for something positive. Hopefully not a sign of him being in a bad place and more of just a one off situation," an X user said. While Thomas has made no public statements regarding his arrest, no official charges have been filed, as of this writing.