Jonathan Taylor Thomas resurfaced in Los Angeles days after his arrest reportedly took a troubling turn. The former child star faced obstruction and public intoxication charges after a confrontation with deputies.
Thomas, 45, was photographed outside on Thursday, getting fresh air after Monday’s arrest. The Home Improvement alum wore a black T-shirt and jeans, with shaggy dark hair.
Police alleged that Jonathan Taylor Thomas kicked a deputy during the confrontation that led to his arrest
According to the Daily Mail, deputies found a vehicle blocking traffic in Westlake Village. The driver appeared intoxicated, prompting deputies to investigate possible driving under the influence. Thomas was not driving the vehicle. However, police said he repeatedly approached deputies during field sobriety tests.
Deputies then tried detaining Thomas for obstruction and public intoxication. Police alleged that Thomas “kicked a deputy in the stomach” during the confrontation. He was booked at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff’s Station. He was released the following day, while the driver faced a DUI arrest.
The outlet reported Thomas’s obstruction charge had been classified as a felony. His representative did not comment when contacted. Sources also described Thomas as deeply upset by the arrest. One insider claimed he had struggled with disappointment over his career.
“He is kind of a grumpy guy; he can be negative, like woe is me,” the source said. They also claimed Thomas wanted to become a director. “He just turned 45 and thinks that maybe his time has passed,” the insider added. They said his Home Improvement fame had remained difficult to escape.
Another source worried the arrest could further hurt any potential Home Improvement revival. The series had already faced “never-ending struggles” and the loss of Earl Hindman. Thomas reportedly feared body-camera footage could emerge. “Jonathan is extremely embarrassed and has no excuses for what he did,” the source said.
The former child star became famous as Randy Taylor on Home Improvement. The sitcom ran for eight seasons between 1991 and 1999. Thomas also voiced young Simba in The Lion King and appeared in Man of the House. He quit acting in 2006 before studying at Harvard and Columbia.
In 2013, Thomas told PEOPLE, “I never took the fame too seriously.” He later joined SAG-AFTRA’s national board in 2017. Tim Allen recently told Us Weekly that a revival faced “personality problems” involving the younger cast members.
