Former child actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas, best known for playing Randy Taylor on the hit sitcom Home Improvement and voicing young Simba in Disney's The Lion King, was arrested following a traffic stop in Westlake Village, California, authorities said.
(TOC)
The incident happened early Monday, September 21, when Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department deputies encountered a vehicle stopped at the intersection of Westlake Boulevard and Townsgate Road while the traffic signal was green. According to authorities, the vehicle was blocking traffic and the driver appeared to be intoxicated.
Thomas, 45, was reportedly a passenger in the vehicle. During the investigation, deputies said he repeatedly got out of the vehicle and approached them, interfering with their investigation of the driver.
Authorities allege that Thomas appeared intoxicated and continued disrupting the traffic stop despite being instructed to remain inside the vehicle. Deputies subsequently attempted to detain him on suspicion of obstruction and public intoxication.
What Happened During the Traffic Stop?
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, deputies initially approached the vehicle because it was stopped at a green light and blocking traffic.
The deputies reportedly noticed that the driver appeared to be intoxicated and began conducting field sobriety tests.
During those tests, authorities said Thomas repeatedly exited the vehicle and approached deputies, distracting them from the DUI investigation.
The situation escalated when deputies attempted to detain Thomas. Authorities allege that he kicked a deputy in the stomach during the encounter.
The allegations have not been established in court, and Thomas has not publicly provided his own account of the incident in the reports reviewed for this article.
Jonathan Taylor Thomas Was Booked at Malibu/Lost Hills Station
Following the incident, Thomas was arrested and booked at the Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station.
NBC Los Angeles reported that jail records indicated Thomas was later released from custody on Tuesday. The driver of the vehicle was separately arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
The case was expected to be submitted to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office for consideration of criminal charges. As of the latest reports, no charges had been filed against Thomas.
Who Is Jonathan Taylor Thomas?
Jonathan Taylor Thomas became one of the most recognizable child stars of the 1990s after being cast as Randy Taylor, the middle son on ABC's Home Improvement.
The sitcom premiered in 1991 and ran for eight seasons. Thomas remained closely associated with the show during its highly successful run before leaving the series in 1998 to focus more on his education.
Thomas also provided the voice of young Simba in Disney's 1994 animated classic The Lion King. He subsequently appeared in films including Man of the House, Tom and Huck, Wild America and I'll Be Home for Christmas.
In later years, Thomas largely stayed away from the Hollywood spotlight, although he made occasional acting appearances. In July 2026, he was photographed reuniting with former Home Improvement co-stars Patricia Richardson and Taran Noah Smith.
What Happens Next?
The immediate legal outcome remains pending.
According to the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, the case will be sent to the Ventura County District Attorney's Office for filing consideration. That means the reported arrest and allegations do not by themselves establish that Thomas committed a crime, and any potential charges would be a separate decision by prosecutors.
The driver involved in the traffic stop also faces a separate DUI investigation.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Person: Jonathan Taylor Thomas
- Age: 45
- Location: Westlake Village, California
- Date of incident: September 21, 2026
- Location of traffic stop: Westlake Boulevard and Townsgate Road
- Reported allegations: Obstruction and public intoxication
- Additional allegation: Kicking a sheriff's deputy
- Booking location: Malibu/Lost Hills Sheriff's Station
- Driver: Separately arrested on suspicion of DUI
- Current status: Case expected to be submitted to prosecutors; no charges had been filed in the latest reports.
