Justin Timberlake and the most famous mug shots in history

Pop star Justin Timberlake was arrested in New York for drunk driving. He was charged on Tuesday but released without bail, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office announced.

Timberlake’s mugshot was also released, joining a long list of celebrities whose photos of his arrest went viral on the Internet.

Last August, the highly anticipated mugshot of Donald Trump was released after the former US president turned himself in to authorities in the state of Georgia on charges of attempting to overturn the outcome of the 2020 election.

However, some of the most notable mugshots were also the least expected, like that of Hugh Grant in 1995. The seemingly unequivocal star of the romantic comedy, known for his international hit Four weddings and one deathwas arrested in Los Angeles for lewd behavior toward a prostitute. At the time, he was in a relationship with actress Liz Hurley.

Other celebrities who were idolized by the public but whose mug shots ended up on the front pages of newspapers and magazines include Frank Sinatra, Lindsay Lohan, Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen, and Tiger Woods.

A mug shot that went beyond the first arrest was that of the famous actress Jane Fonda.

In 1970, Fonda was arrested by Cleveland police on suspicion of drug trafficking. She had just returned to the United States from Canada after participating in an anti-war speaking tour at a university. Fonda opposed the Vietnam War, a stance that was viewed by some as anti-American.

The black and white mug shot of her with her fist raised has become synonymous with the actress and a symbol of solidarity and resistance. Charges against her were dropped after the pills in her possession were found to be vitamins.

Celebrity factor

Some celebrity mugshots have been sold as merchandise – photographers and fashion designers have been inspired by the format. From the tight composition to the somber tone, the mugshot has influenced photographers and artists such as Richard Avedon and Andy Warhol.

In 2016, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York hosted an exhibition entitled “Crimes Stories: Photography and Foul Play,” which showcased artworks and practices inspired by crime and its documentation.

Fashion designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander McQueen and many others have also designed collections, editorials and fashion campaigns that incorporate elements of the mug shot.

History of the mug shot

In 1888, French police officer Alphonse Bertillon created the prototype of what we now call a mug shot.

The two photographs of the arrested person, including a frontal and a profile picture, as well as information about the person’s physical characteristics, were used by the authorities for documentation purposes. They also served as a means for victims to identify their attackers and were used on wanted posters to inform the public.

The mug shot format has endured over the years and occasionally entered the public consciousness through pop culture. The stark photos of public figures provide a stark contrast to their usual portrayals; be it on television, red carpets or glossy magazine covers.

Updated: June 19, 2024, 07:39