‘Home Improvement’ Star Jonathan Taylor Thomas Detained During DUI Traffic Stop

POLICY WIRE — Los Angeles, United States — Actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas, famous for his role as Randy Taylor on the TV series ‘Home Improvement,’ was taken into custody during a traffic stop in the Los Angeles area, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.

The 45-year-old actor, whose birth name is Jonathan Taylor Weiss, was riding in a vehicle that was pulled over for a suspected DUI, officials reported. Deputies observed the car blocking traffic at an intersection when the light turned green and decided to check on the driver.

During the stop, deputies noticed the driver acting unusually and appearing to be under the influence. They conducted a DUI investigation, during which Thomas, who was a passenger, repeatedly left the vehicle and approached officers, causing disruption. Officers attempted to detain him for obstruction and public intoxication, but Thomas reportedly kicked a deputy in the stomach.

Jail records show Thomas was arrested at 1:50 a.m. on Monday and released at noon on Tuesday. His representatives have not yet responded to requests for comment. The sheriff’s department said the case will be forwarded to county prosecutors for possible criminal charges.

Thomas has remained largely out of the public eye in recent years, with his last known acting role being a 2015 appearance on ‘Last Man Standing.’ He also directed an episode of the show in 2016. In July, Patricia Richardson, who played his on-screen mother on ‘Home Improvement,’ shared a photo of him with cast member Taran Noah Smith on Instagram.

A former ’90s heartthrob, Thomas is also recognized for his roles in ‘Man of the House,’ ‘Tom and Huck,’ ‘Wild America,’ and ‘8 Simple Rules,’ as well as voicing young Simba in ‘The Lion King.’

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)