On September 21, Jonathan Taylor Thomas was arrested on charges of obstruction and public intoxication. The news shocked fans of the former child star, who famously stepped back from the limelight after finding fame at the age of eight.
From voicing Disney’s favorite lion cub Simba to starring alongside Tim Allen in one of the 1990s' biggest sitcoms, Jonathan was a name to watch leading up to the millennium.
But despite his fame, the rising star decided to shy away from the spotlight after finding early success, opting instead for a more private life.
Now, HELLO! is looking back at one of the Nineties’ biggest names, why he decided to hop off a career train heading for Hollywood stardom and what he's been up to since. While Jonathan might have stepped out of the viewfinder, he doesn't seem entirely ready to leave the family he found at the Dream Factory behind.
© Ron Galella Collection via GettyJonathan Taylor Thomas started in the industry at just 8 years old
Early success
Jonathan Taylor Thomas, or JTT as he’s known to fans, started out on the Brady Bunch sequel, The Bradys at just eight years old. He later starred in The Lion King as young Simba, bringing a natural energy that he told People magazine he sourced from his own “natural energy,” what he described as: “Real curious, fun-loving, always getting into mischief.”
He went on to have further live action roles in Man of the House, Wild America and I’ll Be Home for Christmas.
© NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal viaStepping back from the spotlight
What could be more impressive than finding early success on one of America’s best-known sitcoms? Well, studying at Harvard University surely comes close.
The Home Improvement star left during the final season to pursue his education, spending the third year of his degree abroad at the University of St Andrews in Scotland before he added another qualification to already-impressive credentials with a degree from Columbia University.
Speaking to People magazine in 2013, Jonathan said he’d enjoyed his time studying. “To sit in a big library amongst books and students, that was pretty cool.”
© Ron Galella Collection via GettyLife after Hollywood
After an extensive course of study, Jonathan felt the pull of the Silver Screen once again. When he headed back to Los Angeles, as he told People magazine, he didn’t regret his choice. “I watch a lot of movies, I hike, I stay up on shows and theater,” he explained.
After leaving Home Improvement, Jonathan returned for a couple of roles in something of a family reunion. Guest starring in Last Man Standing, Jonathan once again worked with former co-star Tim Allen for four episodes, and directed three, between 2013 and 2015.
A continued closeness to Tim seems to have brought him back for a quick on-set visit as Kat Dennings reported he popped in to see his former co-star on the set of Shifting Gears. He’s also kept involved as a board member for Sag-Aftra.
The 1990s star was spotted for the first time in almost eight years in 2021, walking his dogs around Los Angeles. It wasn’t until 2023 that he was spotted in public again.
© FilmMagicInside his private life
Jonathan keeps quiet about his private life. The 44-year-old hasn’t made reference to a partner or children but he certainly has a couple of four-legged friends, as he was seen walking two white dogs when he was spotted out-and-about in LA.
© Disney General Entertainment ConLegal troubles
On September 21, he was detained by police in West Lake, California.
The party Jonathan was with was pulled over for a DUI investigation, although he was not behind the wheel.
“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. He was uncooperative with them, failed to follow orders, and obstructed the investigation, so he was arrested for obstruction, and he was arrested for drunk in public,” law enforcement shared.
He was released more than 34 hours later.
