Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan could face full prison sentence after admitting to violating probation

The former Home Improvement star Zachery Ty Bryan could be facing more than a year in jail after he admitted to violating his probation.

The troubled former actor admitted to three violations of his probation during a court appearance on Monday morning, according to Oregon’s KEZI.

In the wake of his admissions, Bryan’s probation officer reportedly recommended that he be forced to serve his full 19- to 20-month prison sentence, which stems from his second domestic violence conviction in 2023.

The 44-year-old — who first pleaded guilty to domestic violence charges in 2021 — will now be sentenced on February 17, 2026.

Online records from the Oregon Judicial Department and Lane County’s Sheriff’s Office indicate that Bryan was released from Lane County Community Corrections on December 10. 

He had previously denied guilt when he was arraigned on December 3.

Bryan’s probation violations stem from an incident on November 29, when both he and his fiancée Johnnie Faye Cartwright, 32, were arrested in Eugene, Oregon, after she allegedly tried to run the former child star over with their three young children inside the vehicle. 

Police said the engaged couple had been driving together with their children when Bryan exited the pickup truck and began walking down the road.

Authorities allege Cartwright then attempted to strike him with the vehicle, crashing into a ditch while the children were still inside.

Both were taken into custody, with officers noting that the Home Improvement actor was also in violation of a court order requiring him to stay away from Cartwright.

Earlier this month, a judge denied Cartwright’s request to modify her pretrial release after Us Weekly confirmed a warrant had been issued for her arrest over alleged violations tied to the incident.

Cartwright was scheduled to appear at another hearing on December 18. 

According to jail records reviewed by Daily Mail, Bryan was issued no bail.

Police added that ‘Bryan was able to move out of the way and avoid injury’ despite the fact that both he and his fianceé ‘were impaired’ adding that ‘no one inside the pickup was injured.’

Eyewitnesses to the incident were also interviewed at the scene, according to authorities.

Both Bryan and Cartwright were taken into custody, police said at the time, noting that the Home Improvement actor had violated a court order to keep away from his fiancée.

Authorities said in their report: ‘After additional investigation, Cartwright was arrested for Attempted Assault in the 1st Degree, three counts of Recklessly Endangering and DUI.

‘Bryan was arrested for a probation violation on an original charge of Assault in the 4th Degree. The involved children were placed with a family member.’

According to court records obtained by People, Cartwright pleaded not guilty to one count of driving under the influence, two counts of recklessly endangering another person and three counts of reckless driving.

At the time of her arrest, jail records show that Cartwright was facing slightly different charges, including one count of driving under the influence, three counts of reckless endangerment and one count of reckless driving, which are all misdemeanors, with a single count of felony attempted assault.

Earlier this month, Bryan pointed to a difficult transition from childhood fame to adulthood responsibility in explaining his most recent arrest in connection with domestic violence.

Bryan 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 spoke with TMZ earlier this month following a separate 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 bit 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. 

Bryan 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.

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. 

‘I don’t know what’s going on with him,’ Allen told The Hollywood Reporter in 2022 of Bryan. ‘Zach is a great kid who has grown into a complex man. 

‘All you can do is step aside and let somebody go through their process. At a certain point, he deviated from the guy I know to somebody who is reacting to situations that I had nothing to do with and can’t control.’ 

If you or a person you know is experiencing domestic violence, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential support.