The 44-year-old actor appeared in court Monday, where he acknowledged violating the terms of his probation three times, according to local reports. A judge is expected to decide his fate at a sentencing hearing scheduled for Feb. 17.
Bryan was originally spared prison time in 2023, when he received three years of probation instead of a 20-month sentence after being convicted of domestic violence. That leniency is now in jeopardy.
According to court records, Bryan’s probation officer is asking the judge to impose the full sentence, citing several arrests for driving under the influence over a 26-month period. Authorities say those incidents directly violate the conditions of his probation.
The situation escalated earlier this year when Bryan and his fiancée, Johnnie Faye Cartwright, were both arrested following a disturbing incident involving their three young children.
In a statement, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office said deputies responded to reports of reckless endangerment near a popular camping area outside Lowell, Oregon. Investigators say Bryan exited a pickup truck and began walking along the road, after which Cartwright allegedly attempted to run him over. The truck crashed into a ditch with the children still inside.
Authorities said Bryan narrowly avoided being hit and that no one in the vehicle was injured. Deputies noted signs that both adults were impaired and later determined Bryan was not supposed to have any contact with Cartwright due to the terms of his probation.
Bryan was arrested for violating probation, while Cartwright was taken into custody on multiple charges, including attempted first-degree assault, recklessly endangering others, and driving under the influence.
The couple’s legal troubles date back several years. In 2020, Cartwright accused Bryan of attacking her, leading to charges that included felony strangulation, assault, menacing, and harassment.
In recent interviews, Bryan has expressed regret over his actions and pointed to the lasting impact of childhood fame. Best known for playing Brad Taylor on Home Improvement, he said growing up in the spotlight left emotional scars that contributed to addiction and poor decisions later in life.
“Being thrust into the spotlight at nine years old brought pressures I wasn’t equipped to handle,” Bryan said in November, adding that while those experiences shaped him, they do not excuse his behavior as an adult.
With his probation now repeatedly violated, Bryan’s future rests with the court — and the sentence he once avoided may soon become reality.
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