Home Improvement Star Attributes Arrest to Childhood Fame

Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan pointed to a difficult transition from childhood fame to adulthood responsibility in explaining his most recent arrest in connection with domestic violence.

Bryan, who played Brad Taylor on the ABC sitcom from 1991–1999, said that ‘fame as a child actor left scars’ in his life and psyche, leading to a number of legal issues he’s dealt with as an adult more than two decades later. 

Bryan, 44, spoke with TMZ on Tuesday following his most recent brush with the law, as his ex-girlfriend was granted a five-year restraining order against him.

Bryan’s ex-girlfriend said in court documents reviewed by the outlet that the actor got physically violent with her in an exchange this past July 3.

Bryan’s ex-girlfriend said that she ‘playfully but his nipple,’ he punched in the head, the outlet reported citing legal documents.

The woman, who had dated the actor for three months, told the court that he had threatened to kill her at one point, telling her, ‘Shut the f*** up or I’m gonna shut you up;’ no criminal charges have been filed against the actor in the incident. 

Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan, 44, pointed to a difficult transition from childhood fame to adulthood responsibility in explaining his most recent arrest in connection with domestic violence 

The Aurora, Colorado-born actor told TMZ that ‘being thrust into the spotlight at nine-years-old brought pressures I wasn’t equipped to handle – but that’s no justification for my choices as an adult.’

Bryan said that in the wake of his most recent arrest, he is embarking on ‘a journey toward personal growth’ in an effort to avoid these types of situations moving forward.

Bryan made clear he understood that ‘domestic violence in any form is unacceptable,’ telling the outlet that he ‘deeply’ regrets wrongdoings spurred by immaturity stemming from his unconventional childhood.

‘The truth is, I’ve struggled with the lasting effects of early fame, addiction, and poor decision-making, which have hurt people I care about and led to repeated legal issues, including DUIs and past domestic incidents,’ Bryan told the outlet.

Bryan said that ‘this latest situation, involving a restraining order and serious accusations, has been a painful wake-up call.’

The Guardians of Justice (Will Save You!) actor told the outlet that he was especially hurt how his legal issues have led to people judging him as a parent.

‘Being labeled a “bad dad” cuts deep,’ Bryan said, ‘because my children are my world, and I know I’ve fallen short.’

Bryan, who played Clay in 2006’s Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, said he is looking to correct course therapy; and with enrollment in programs aimed at drug rehabilitation and anger management. 

The Aurora, Colorado-born actor pictured after a 2024 DUI arrest 

Bryan pictured following an arrest in October of 2020 in Eugene, Oregon

Bryan was seen in a mugshot from a separate domestic violence incident on New Year’s Day

Bryan was previously arrested in connection with domestic violence two times.

Bryan entered a guilty plea to menacing and fourth-degree assault after he was arrested in Eugene, Oregon in October of 2020 in an incident involving his then-partner.

Bryan was also taken into custody Horry County, South Carolina in connection with violence against a woman this past January, in a case that is still ongoing.

Bryan appeared opposite Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson, Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Taran Noah Smith on 203 episodes of Home Improvement.