Zachery Ty Bryan’s Rollercoaster Journey: A Series of Arrests

Zachery Ty Bryan has encountered significant highs and lows throughout the years since becoming a well-known figure in entertainment.

Bryan’s career took off when he was cast as Brad Taylor on the ABC sitcom Home Improvement, which aired from 1991 to 1999. The show featured notable actors such as Tim Allen, Patricia Richardson, Jonathan Taylor Thomas, and Taran Noah Smith.

Despite the show’s popularity, Bryan faced challenges in adjusting to life after fame.

“If you’re the star of a TV show these days, you can land any film role you want, but back then, it was completely different,” Bryan shared with The Hollywood Reporter in June 2023. “You were labeled as a TV star, and regardless of how strong your audition was, you wouldn’t be taken seriously. Nonetheless, I persevered.”

Bryan found it “really tough” to maintain stability after Home Improvement concluded, adding, “On the flip side, even if you faced rejections from many projects, you could still go out and hang with your friends at Mel’s Diner and be recognized by everyone.”

After shifting from acting to producing, Bryan worked on projects like Prowl, Rogue River, and The Grief Tourist. Unfortunately, his legal troubles have overshadowed his career following Home Improvement.

In October 2020, Bryan was arrested for allegedly strangling his partner Johnnie Faye Cartwright. Us Weekly reported that Bryan accepted a plea deal in the domestic violence case, pleading guilty to menacing and fourth-degree assault.

Despite the incident, Bryan, who continued his relationship with Cartwright, stated that the situation was “exaggerated.”

“We got really loud, and because we were in a townhome with [thin walls], everyone could hear us,” he explained to THR in June 2023, asserting that he and Cartwright didn’t “even really get that physical” prior to his arrest. “Ultimately, [the police] throw multiple charges at you to pressure you into a plea. I could’ve fought it — but that would bring more stress and drama.”

Reflecting on his personal challenges, Bryan regarded it all as a learning experience. “I know when things obstruct your true self and where you’re meant to be, God sometimes tests you to reflect and take responsibility,” he elaborated.

Since then, Bryan has faced additional charges for domestic violence and DUI.

Keep reading to explore Bryan’s journey over the years:

1990s

Raised in Denver, Bryan began his acting journey by appearing in local print and television advertisements. His participation in a showcase in New York City caught the attention of a talent representative, leading him and his family to relocate to California. This ultimately resulted in his casting as the oldest Taylor child on Home Improvement.

“My life changed completely, and I was recognized wherever I went, but I owe much to my dad and mom for keeping me grounded,” Bryan remarked in June 2023, referring to his time on the sitcom as “some of the best days” of his life.

Early 2000s

Bryan continued to be a familiar face on screen with roles in The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, Boston Public, Family Law, Center of the Universe, and Veronica Mars. After appearing in several projects in 2009, including Meteor and THOR: Hammer of the Gods, he took a break from acting to pursue producing.

2007-2020

While attending La Cañada High School, Bryan began dating Carly Matros. The couple married in 2007 and welcomed twin girls in 2014, followed by a third daughter in 2016 and a son in 2019. After 13 years of marriage, Bryan and Matros divorced in 2020.

May 2020

Bryan entered a guilty plea after being arrested for DUI. He was sentenced to five years of probation and 18 months in an alcohol treatment program due to a prior DUI history.

October 2020

Bryan’s legal troubles escalated when he was arrested for allegedly strangling Cartwright, with whom he began dating post-divorce. He received three years of probation, including participation in a violence intervention program, Bridges2Safety. As part of a plea deal, prosecutors dropped six other charges against him, including strangulation and coercion.

2021-2022

After his arrest, Bryan and Cartwright stayed together and became engaged in November 2021. They have since had three children together. He made a return to television in Netflix’s 2022 series The Guardians of Justice.

June 2023

In a profile article, The Hollywood Reporter revealed allegations against Bryan involving a fraudulent agriculture-technology startup scheme. Several sources claimed he charged individuals between $5,000 and $25,000 for fake contracts, amassing nearly $50,000 from the scheme.

Bryan responded to THR by denying any wrongdoing, stating he was not “running some shady scam deal” and that he was “in the same boat” as his investors. He referred to his past arrests as a “learning experience,” expressing gratitude for the journey and its lessons.

He affirmed his continued relationship with Cartwright, who chose not to comment at that time.

July 2023

A month after the revealing interview, Bryan was arrested in Eugene, Oregon, following an alleged physical dispute with a woman. Facing charges including assault, robbery, and harassment, he pleaded guilty to felony assault in the fourth degree related to domestic violence during an October 2023 hearing. One count was dismissed under a negotiated agreement.

Instead of serving 19 to 20 months in the Oregon Department of Corrections, Bryan received a “downward dispositional departure” sentence of 36 months of supervised probation, seven days in jail, and conditions typical for domestic violence cases.

In August 2023, Cartwright commented on Bryan’s legal issues, stating, “Trauma can manifest in various forms. It’s a terrible situation that will be interpreted in many ways. I’ve learned through my experience that the truth will not always match what is presented.”

She added: “I urge everyone to respect our privacy for the sake of our children and families so that healing can take place.”

February 2024

Bryan was arrested on suspicion of DUI with three or more prior offenses. According to court documents obtained by Us, Bryan was taken into custody by the La Quinta Police Department for contempt of court following a traffic stop.

A spokesperson informed TMZ that Bryan’s vehicle was stopped at 2 A.M. due to potential involvement in a traffic collision. Upon arrest, he allegedly displayed signs of impairment. His next court appearance is scheduled for April 2024.

TMZ reported in March 2024 that Bryan faced felony charges related to his arrest, stemming from having a DUI conviction within the last decade, marking his fourth DUI offense. Additionally, he faces misdemeanor charges for hit and run and property damage.

January 2025

Us confirmed Bryan’s arrest for second-degree domestic violence in South Carolina on January 2. Law enforcement reported to TMZ that officers in Myrtle Beach responded to a residence for a domestic dispute.

Police determined Bryan had been involved in a physical confrontation, resulting in his arrest. He is currently incarcerated, with a bond set at $10,000.