Famous former prisoners

Famous former prisoners

Imprisoned wide receiver Plaxico Burress reportedly wants to return to the NFL after his scheduled release date later this year.Which teams might be interested?

If he does, he might want to take some tips from a few folks who spent time in jail and went on to be successful.

Michael Vick

The Philadelphia Eagles’ quarterback  took his team to the playoffs after being convicted of running a dog-fighting operation.

Robert Downey Jr.

Downey Jr. battled substance abuse problems for years. Despite his problems, he went on to be nominated for an Oscar.

Martha Stewart

The design magnate – who was convicted of insider trading in 2004 – has a media empire still worth millions today.

Mike Tyson

The former heavyweight boxing champion  was convicted of rape in 1992 but went on to have a hilarious cameo in a 2009 blockbuster.  In recent years, he also hinted at a comeback in the ring.

Nelson Mandela

The South African anti-apartheid activist  was sentenced to life in prison but became president after his early release.

Patty Hearst

The newspaper heiress  went on to a successful acting career after she was caught robbing banks with her own kidnappers.

Snoop Dogg

The pot-friendly rapper spent time in jail for another drug but his popularity has skyrocketed since then. He almost went to prison for a more serious charge

Stephen Fry

The British actor  spent time in jail for credit card fraud before embarking on a successful film and television career.

Thomas ‘Hollywood’ Henderson

The former Dallas Cowboys Pro Bowl linebacker  had troubles on and off the field, and now helps others in his community. He served time in a sexual assault case.

Robert Mitchum

The Oscar nominee’s career  wasn’t hurt a bit after his 1948 arrest  and imprisonment.

Marion Barry

The former Washington, D.C., mayor  was arrested  while in office, went to jail, got out and was re-elected as mayor.

Christian Slater

The former teen heartthrob – who was arrested for assault in 1997 – went on to have a successful TV and film career.

Tim Allen

The former drug dealer went on to have a successful stand-up comedy career  and a hit sitcom.

O. Henry

The American writer wrote his most popular work after he went to jail for accounting discrepancies at a previous job.

Timothy Leary

The LSD-using psychologist  escaped from prison  but was captured and sent back to finish his sentence. 

G. Gordon Liddy

President Nixon’s mustachioed operative– convicted for his role in the Watergate Scandal – wrote a best-selling autobiography after his release.

Lil Wayne

The heavily tattooed “Lollipop” rapper  released his eighth solo album while in prison for gun charges last year and will head out on tour in March.

Don King

 

The wild-coiffed boxing promoter  went on to make millions off fights  after a 1966 manslaughter conviction. 

Allie Anderson Former Miami police officer turned white slaver who beat up Alvin Karpis.

Theodore Audett ailhouse author noted for his fantastic claims about other prisoners and his own life. Claimed to be Barker Gang member, but this is disputed by the facts.
Known at Alcatraz as a snitch and a hypochondriac.
Defense witness in 1946 Blast-Out Trial
Also known as "Blackie".

Harvey Bailey  Partner of Machine Gun Kelly Believed to be involved in Kansas City Union Station Massacre