It's not always easy being the child of a celebrity. The child didn't ask for this level of fame and notoriety. With this amount of privilege, it is almost natural to pushback or take advantage. Sometimes things get out of hand.
Here are 10 times children of celebrities found themselves in trouble with the law. They got themselves in some hot water and had to face the consequences. Let's hope some lessons were learned in the process.
Matt Lauer’s daughter Romy Lauer
The disgraced former Today Show host shares three kids with ex-wife Annette Roque: Thijs, Jack, and Romy. The latter allegedly got into trouble on July 5, 2024. She is accused of crashing her car into a fence in the Hamptons and then leaving the scene. Officers were able to identify the vehicle because of the license plates left behind. A summons has been issued. A source told Page Six that powerful celebrity lawyer Edward Burke Jr. is on the case.
Rod Stewart’s son Sean Stewart
Rod Stewart is a proud father of eight. His son Sean has had multiple run-ins with the law. One of these entanglements was a father-son experience. In 2002, Sean received a three-month jail sentence after kicking a man unconscious outside a Los Angeles restaurant. In 2007, he was arrested after throwing bricks at a car. The charges were ultimately dropped. In 2019, Sean and Rod were arrested in Palm Beach, Florida, after assaulting a hotel security guard. They pleaded guilty to battery.
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Hulk Hogan’s son Nick Hogan
In 2007, 17-year-old Nick Hogan crashed his car while racing. Additionally, he had alcohol in his system and was found to be at half the legal limit for impairment under Florida law. His friend John Graziano was in the car as well and suffered severe brain damage a result of the crash. Nick was charged with reckless driving and pleaded no contest. He was given eight months in jail, served five, and had his license revoked for three years.
In 2024 he was back in hot water. He was sentenced to a year of probation after drunk driving in Florida in November of 2023.
Jon Bon Jovi’s daughter Stephanie Bongiovi
Stephanie Bongiovi overdosed in her dorm in 2012 at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York. She survived the terrifying experience but had to deal with the legal ramifications. She and her friend Ian Grant were arrested on drug charges, but these were dismissed because of New York's Good Samaritan law. This encourages people to seek help when experiencing an overdose instead of fearing getting into trouble. This law has saved many lives.
Robert Downey Jr.’s son Indio Downey
Robert Downey Jr. knows a thing or two about substance abuse, which is why he was horrified when his son Indio appeared to be making the same mistakes. In 2014 Indio was arrested for using in his car after being spotted by police officers in West Hollywood, California. He went to rehab, and two years later a judge dismissed the charges and cleared his record. Robert was thankful his son got caught so he could get him the help he needed.
Lionel Richie’s daughter Nicole Richie
These days Nicole Richie is a mother of two, but she had a wild, party period in her younger days. She was arrested multiple times. Perhaps the most infamous incident occurred in 2006. She was caught driving the wrong way while under the influence of controlled substances.
She entered a guilty plea for the DUI the following year and accepted the consequences. She was given a four-day jail sentence of which she served 82 minutes before being released because the jail was overcrowded. She also paid a $2,000 fine, served three years of probation, and attended an alcohol education program.
Michael Douglas’ son Cameron Douglas
Michael Douglas is a father of three. He shares son Cameron with ex-wife Diandra Luker. In 2009 Cameron was arrested for possession of crystal meth in New York City. He was sentenced to five years in prison but ended up serving seven because he had his lawyer sneak him drugs in jail. He was released in 2016. Cameron's 2019 memoir, Long Way Home, details his struggle with addiction.
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson’s son Chet Hanks
Tom Hanks and Rita Wilson's son Chet Hanks walks to the beat of his own drummer. He drunkenly rear-ended a man in 2015. His parents were implicated in the legal proceedings in this case because the car was registered in their name. Chet went to rehab after this incident and is motivated to stay sober because he is a dad himself.
Marlon Brando’s son Christian Brando
In 1990 Christian Brando learned his half-sister's boyfriend Dag Drollet wasn't treating her right. He shot and killed him at the Beverly Hills home of his father, Marlon Brando. Christian served five years in prison after pleading guilty to manslaughter. He faced legal troubles again when new information was brought forward during the murder trial of his ex-wife Bonny Lee Bakley but died of pneumonia before the case was settled.
Keith Richards' daughter Theodora Richards
Rock star Keith Richards has five children. He shares Theodora with wife Patti Hansen. In 2011 Theodora defaced a convent wall with graffiti. On top of that, she had marijuana and another drug with her. She was arrested as a result of the two offenses.
