“Home Improvement” Star Zachery Ty Bryan Sentenced to 16 Months in Prison for DUI
RIVERSIDE COUNTY, Calif. (AP) – Zachery Ty Bryan, best known for his role as Brad Taylor on the 1990s ABC sitcom “Home Improvement,” was sentenced to 16 months in jail on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, after a California court rejected a plea deal. The sentencing follows a series of legal troubles for the 44-year-old actor, including multiple DUI convictions and allegations of domestic violence and fraud.
Bryan pleaded guilty to driving under the influence with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.15%, nearly double California’s legal limit, according to reports. This conviction, coupled with two prior DUI offenses, led the Riverside County Superior Court to deny him bail and impose the 16-month sentence. He has already served 57 days of the sentence.
The actor’s legal woes extend beyond driving offenses. In October 2020, Bryan was accused of fourth-degree assault following an argument with a former girlfriend in Oregon, resulting in a three-year probation period and a no-contact order. Just months later, in January 2021, he was arrested on charges of second-degree domestic violence against his fiancée, who alleged he choked and punched her during a dispute.
More recently, in June 2023, Bryan faced accusations of running a fraudulent agricultural technology startup, allegedly collecting between $5,000 and $25,000 from investors for a scheme that ultimately yielded him $50,000.
Bryan rose to prominence as a child actor, appearing in films like “First Kid” and “The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.” His most recent role was in the 2022 series “Guardians of Justice.”
The repeated legal issues raise concerns about the pressures faced by former child stars navigating adulthood. Richard Karn, Bryan’s “Home Improvement” co-star, recently commented on the situation, suggesting the challenges of early fame may have contributed to Bryan’s struggles, according to Fox News Digital.
Bryan currently has over six active legal cases pending. The sentencing marks a significant downturn for the actor, once a familiar face on American television.
