Stars Who Are Currently In Prison For Life

Contrary to popular belief, many actors who break the law are not immune to legal consequences. In fact, a substantial number of film and TV performers have faced arrests, charges, and punishments for a variety of offenses. Whether they’re top-tier Marvel actors or famous Hollywood stars, if they commit crimes, they will face the same justice system. Some of these individuals have served short prison terms, while others have been incarcerated for longer periods.

Nevertheless, a significant yet limited group of performers find themselves spending the rest of their days behind bars due to grave offenses such as murder, rape, or kidnapping. These crimes carry some of the harshest penalties in society, and these individuals are serving those penalties. Here is a list of these actors, along with the regrettable choices that led to their incarceration.

The following article mentions instances of rape, sexual assault, domestic abuse, and child abuse.

Ryan Grantham

Ryan Grantham initially gained fame for his supporting roles in movies such as “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” and appearances on shows like “Supernatural” and “Riverdale.” However, in 2020, the Canadian actor found himself in the headlines for a tragic reason. He was charged with murdering his mother and planning to carry out further killings, ultimately aiming to assassinate then-Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

On March 31, 2020, Grantham killed his mother, Barbara Waithe, by shooting her in the back of the head while she played piano at their townhouse. He later recorded a GoPro video where he admitted to the murder and prepared for a violent rampage by loading his car with guns and Molotov cocktails. However, Grantham’s plot did not come to pass: he surrendered himself to the police in Vancouver before executing his grisly plan, and was given a life sentence in prison in September 2022.

At his sentencing hearing in June 2022, the individual named Grantham, who had been accused of second-degree murder, expressed regret for his past actions. It was Justice Kathleen Ker, the judge during his trial, who noted that Grantham was experiencing a mental health predicament before committing the murder. This was characterized by excessive marijuana use and frequent viewing of violent online content. In Canada, a life sentence is automatically imposed for second-degree murder; however, Grantham must wait 14 years before becoming eligible for parole.

Isaiah Stokes

Isaiah Stokes had been a prominent figure on significant TV shows such as “Power,” “Law & Order: SVU,” and “Boardwalk Empire.” He was also known for his career in hip-hop music and running a record label. However, all his progress came to an abrupt end in 2025 when Stokes was found guilty of the murder of Tyrone Jones, which occurred in 2021. Additionally, he was convicted of two charges related to illegal weapon possession – the firearm used to take Jones’ life while he was seated in his car in the St. Albans area of Queens, New York.

In October 2020, there was an argument between Stokes and Jones during a birthday celebration, which escalated into a physical dispute with other guests when Stokes refused to depart from the event. Fast forward to January 2021, Stokes secretly installed a GPS tracker under Jones’s vehicle. He later spotted Jones at an intersection in Queens, waiting for a friend. Approaching the car, Stokes discharged his firearm 11 times, hitting Jones in the head and chest, ultimately taking his life.

An investigation by the police resulted in Stokes being arrested in July 2021. A search warrant executed at his apartment revealed documents connected to the GPS system in Jones’s vehicle. The jury determined that he was guilty of second-degree murder and the charges related to weapons possession, sentencing him to serve between 25 years and life in prison.

David Meza

David Meza led two contrasting lifestyles. As a resident of Imperial Beach, California, he was preparing to welcome a child with his partner, yet he also worked as an escort and actor in adult films under the alias Mario Romo. Tragically, these realms merged violently in 2015 when Meza took the life of Jake Clyde Meredino, a Texas retiree who had been involved sexually with him for two years.

As per court documents, Merendino generously bestowed gifts upon Meza, such as sports cars and motorcycles. On April 30, 2015, they both journeyed to Mexico to finalize the sale of Merendino’s condominium, followed by a hotel stay. In the wee hours of May 1, Meza departed from this location and returned to the U.S.; the next day, he reached out to Merendino and went back to Mexico. Their meeting place was a ravine, where Meza fatally stabbed Merendino 24 times and almost severed his head. Later, Meza submitted an application to authenticate a will, claiming it was penned by Merendino on hotel stationery, designating Meza as the heir to his $3 million estate.

According to Meza’s statement, he was merely visiting a friend during his trip to the U.S. on May 1st; however, authorities discovered substantial proof that he had committed the crime instead. This evidence included his cell phone signaling at the crime scene and a remorseful message on his phone. Before sentencing Meza to life imprisonment, U.S. District Judge Jeffrey T. Miller described the crime as “unimaginably wicked,” also adding 20 more years for conspiracy to hinder justice.

Danny Masterson

In 2017, Danny Masterson, previously known for his role as a child actor and on “That ’70s Show,” found himself under scrutiny by the Los Angeles Police Department when four women accused him of sexual assault. Subsequently, charges of rape were brought against Masterson in three cases in 2020. He denied the allegations and a trial was scheduled for October 2022; however, the jury failed to come to a unanimous decision, leading to a mistrial.

The following year in May, Masterson faced a judge once more and was found guilty of two out of three rape charges (the remaining charge resulted in a mistrial). He was sentenced to serve an indeterminate term of 30 years to life, initially imprisoned at North Kern State Prison. As his appeal hearing approached, Masterson’s bail request was denied, resulting in his transfer to the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, California. He will become eligible for parole in the year 2042.

Michael Jace

Between 1994 and 2011, Michael Jace maintained a consistent acting career in movies and TV shows, achieving seven seasons on “The Shield” as Officer Julien Lowe and appearing in films such as “Boogie Nights” and Tim Burton’s remake of “Planet of the Apes”. However, his life outside of work was marked by turmoil and violence. He faced bankruptcy, allegations of domestic abuse, and eventually took the tragic step of shooting and killing his wife in their Los Angeles home.

On May 19, 2014, police responded to a call from actor Jace after he reported shooting his wife, April Jace. He was taken into custody for her murder, an incident that their two young sons partially witnessed. A trial in 2016 unveiled that Jace was infuriated by his wife’s divorce proposition and suspicion of her having an affair. His lawyers contended that while Jace acknowledged firing the gun, they proposed he should be charged with involuntary manslaughter due to emotional distress. However, the jury did not concur and sentenced Jace to 40 years to life for second-degree murder and a gun enhancement penalty in California, which adds an additional sentence for using a firearm during a felony.

Ali Abulaban

Hey there! In my role as a dedicated fan, I’d like to share some insights about Ali Abulaban, better known as @JinnKid. This YouTube sensation captivated millions with his hilarious comedy skits and spot-on impressions of characters such as Al Pacino’s Tony Montana from “Scarface.” However, it’s important to highlight that off the screen, Abulaban’s life was far from a joke.

In 2024, he was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the tragic murders of his estranged wife and a friend, which occurred in 2021. This serves as a stark reminder that the lives we see on social media platforms are often just a fraction of the reality they face.

In 2014, I, Abulaban, crossed paths with my beloved Ana while we were both dedicated members of the Air Force. We fell in love, started a family, and life was beautiful… until my impressions on social media platforms gained traction in 2019. As the spotlight shifted towards Ana, who frequently featured in my videos, a seed of envy grew into me mistreating her – verbally, physically, even capturing some instances on video. This toxic behavior ultimately led to our heartbreaking separation.

In October 2021, Abulaban returned to the apartment he used to share with Ana and secretly put a listening device on their daughter’s tablet, which enabled him to hear a conversation between Ana and her friend Rayburn Barron. Due to feelings of jealousy towards Barron after the latter commented that Abulaban was fortunate to be married to Ana, he went back to the apartment and fatally shot both Ana and Barron, capturing the entire event on recording. Convicted of two murder charges in May 2024, Abulaban argued that he was under the influence of drugs during the killings; however, Judge Jeffrey Fraser imposed two consecutive life sentences for the murders.

Skylar Deleon

As a gamer speaking about my past, let me share that once upon a time, I was Skylar Deleon – a kid with dreams of stardom. I managed to land a few small roles in commercials and as an extra on “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.” However, the story took a dark turn when I grew older. My criminal career became notorious, claiming three lives in cold blood. During my time behind bars, awaiting trial, I even attempted to manipulate another inmate into taking out two key witnesses in one of my murders – my father and cousin. Quite a far cry from the kid on the Power Rangers set, huh?

In 2003, Deleon carried out his first murder by robbing and killing John Jarvi, whom he had encountered during a prior prison stint for robbery. The subsequent year saw him cross paths with Thomas and Jackie Hawks under false pretenses – he claimed to be interested in purchasing their yacht. To win their trust, Deleon brought along his wife, Jennifer Henderson, who was pregnant at the time. Moved by this gesture, the Hawks invited Deleon and two associates for a trial run in Newport Beach Harbor. However, the trio ended up overpowering the couple, making them sign away their property, tying them to an anchor, and ultimately casting them into the water.

The police investigation into their disappearances pointed towards DeLeon as the suspect. He stood trial together for all three murders and asserted that he had carried out the crimes to finance gender reassignment surgery. Deleon, who underwent this procedure in 2023, was convicted of first-degree murder in each case and given a death sentence in 2009, just like his accomplice John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Jennifer Henderson received a life sentence, while another accomplice, Alonso Machain, was sentenced to serve 20 years.

Joe Son

As a former mixed martial artist and wrestler who didn’t quite make it big, I managed to land some small parts in movies, with my most recognized role being the bowler-hatted henchman, Random Task, in “Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery” back in 1997. However, the rough and tumble nature that defined my professional life didn’t stay confined to the ring or the mat. In 2008, I found myself facing charges for multiple sexual offenses and kidnapping, which landed me a seven years to life sentence. To make matters worse, I took a life in 2011 while serving my time, resulting in even more prison time added onto my original sentence.

Improvements in DNA technology allowed investigators to connect the suspect known as Son to a crime that occurred on Christmas Eve 1990, where a woman was abducted and suffered repeated rape and torture. The police were unable to find a match with DNA evidence collected from the victim until 2008, when Son was compelled to provide a DNA sample due to a 90-day sentence for violating probation following a felony vandalism conviction. The DNA sample matched that of the suspect, and Son admitted guilt to the kidnapping and rape charges, with an additional charge for committing the rape while armed with a handgun. Shortly after being transferred to Wasco State Prison, Son was accused of brutally killing his cellmate. Convicted of voluntary manslaughter, Son’s sentence was amended to serve 34 years to life in prison.

Dennis Da Silva

Despite being relatively unknown beyond Filipino fan circles, Dennis Da Silva was a much-adored child actor during the 1980s, gracing shows like “That’s Entertainment” and the peculiar superhero film “Captain Barbell.” However, his acting career took a downward turn following his last screen appearance in the 1991 film “Underage Too,” which unfortunately carried an ironic resonance with his 2002 arrest on charges of rape and child abuse, resulting in his life imprisonment.

In this case, Da Silva faced 15 counts of rape and 4 counts of child abuse, primarily concerning his live-in partner’s 14-year-old daughter. Despite asserting that their relationship was consensual (which led to her pregnancy), he was kept in prison for a period of 17 years. In the year 2020, Da Silva’s trial took place at the Pasig City Regional Trial Court, where he was convicted and given a life sentence for each rape charge. For the child abuse charges, he received additional sentences ranging from four to six years. Additionally, he was mandated to pay approximately 4.8 million Philippine pesos in compensation to the victim.

Kaalan Walker

Actor Kaalan “KR” Walker was on the verge of major fame after getting the lead part in the 2018 remake of the popular ’70s action-thriller “Superfly.” However, his moment in the limelight was short-lived: In the same year, Walker, who was also a dancer and rapper, was taken into custody for numerous rape charges, which involved both adult women and underage girls.

Authorities claimed that Walker, who previously starred in the 2017 film “Kings” alongside Halle Berry, exploited his budding fame and social media platforms to attract each of the women, who were models, by offering them work opportunities such as music videos or other jobs. In 2022, he was convicted on three counts of forced rape, two counts of statutory rape, and various sexual offenses. He was sentenced to serve 50 years to life in prison for these crimes.

Two years after, Walker shared a post on his Instagram highlighting his achievements during imprisonment such as obtaining a master’s degree in sociology and establishing multiple support groups for Narcotics Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous. His assertion that his experiences could inspire others sparked criticism on social media platforms.

Dennis Roldan

Originally a well-known basketball player and politician from the Philippines, Dennis Roldan, also boasted an impressive acting career in films and TV shows. One of his notable roles was as a kidnapper in the 2005 action-drama “Terrorist Hunter.” However, in the same year, he was apprehended for his involvement in the abduction of a child, and eventually, in 2014, he received a sentence of 30 years to life in prison.

In February 2005, Roldan along with two others found themselves accused of kidnapping Kenshi Yu, who was just three years old at the time. The suspects required a ransom of 25 million Philippine pesos from the child’s parents, but after negotiations, the amount was reduced to 10 million pesos before the police managed to save Kenshi in late February. Despite kidnapping being an offense that usually doesn’t allow for bail in the Philippines, charges were filed against Roldan in 2005. However, he was permitted to post bail and leave jail the following year.

2008 marked the start of the trial for my kidnapping case. Without a shadow of a doubt, I identified Roldan as my captor, and moreover, branded him as the mastermind behind this heinous act – the “top dog” in charge. The Pasig Regional Trial Court ruled that Roldan was indeed guilty, sentencing him to reclusion perpetua – a term for capital crimes in the Philippines, which could mean 40 years to life, with parole eligibility after serving 30 years. However, just four short years into his sentence, Roldan dared to appeal, only to have his plea dismissed by the Court of Appeals.

Should you or someone you’re acquainted with require assistance regarding mental health issues, have experienced sexual assault, are navigating through domestic violence, or suspect child abuse, please reach out to the following resources for support:

1. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (for mental health emergencies): 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
2. RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) (for sexual assault victims): 1-800-656-HOPE (4673)
3. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (for domestic abuse victims): 1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
4. Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline (for child abuse victims or those concerned about a child at risk): 1-800-422-4453

Please contact the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233. You can also find more information, resources, and support at their website.
Please contact the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child (1-800-422-4453) or contact their live chat services.

2025-05-18 19:32