Justin Timberlake and history's most famous mugshots

From politicians to celebrities, police photographs have long captivated the public

Justin Timberlake was arrested after allegedly drink-driving in the Hamptons, New York, on June 18. AFP

Former US president Donald Trump's mugshot was released after his arrest for conspiracy to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Reuters

Hugh Grant was arrested in 1995 for lewd conduct with a sex worker in Hollywood. AFP

Tiger Woods was arrested in 2017 for suspicion of driving under the influence. AFP

American actress Jane Fonda was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking in 1970. Getty Images

Rapper Tupac Shakur after being convicted of sexually abusing a fan in 1995. Getty Images

Lindsay Lohan was arrested for violating the terms of her probation in July 2010. Photo: WireImage

American basketball player Scottie Pippen following his arrest for driving under the influence in 1999. Getty Images

Mel Gibson following a misdemeanour battery conviction in March 2011. Getty Images

Actor Steve McQueen after his arrest for drink-driving and speeding, June 1972. Getty Images

American actor Nick Nolte following his arrest for driving under the influence in September 2002. Getty Images

Robert Downey Jr was arrested in 1999 for missing a number of court-ordered drug tests related to a 1996 cocaine possession charge. Getty Images

Chicago mobster Al Capone, undated

Lee Harvey Oswald was arrested after US president John F Kennedy was assassinated in November 1963. Getty Images

Keanu Reeves following his arrest for driving under the influence in 1993. Getty Images

Mafia boss John Gotti, aka 'The Dapper Don', in New York, undated. Getty Images

Jimi Hendrix after his arrest for drug possession at Toronto International Airport, May 1969. Getty Images

Martin Luther King Jr following his arrest for protests in Alabama, 1963. Getty Images

James Brown after his arrest in January 2004 for criminal domestic violence. Getty Images

Pop star Justin Timberlake was arrested for allegedly driving while intoxicated in New York. He was charged on Tuesday and was released without bail, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office.

Timberlake's mugshot has also been released, and he joins a long list of celebrities whose arrest photos have gone viral online.

Last August, Donald Trump's eagerly awaited mugshot was released after the former US president surrendered to Georgia authorities over charges that he tried to overturn 2020 election results.

However, some of the most notable mugshots have also been the least expected, such as Hugh Grant's in 1995. The seemingly clear-cut rom-com star, known for his international hit Four Weddings and a Funeral, was arrested in Los Angeles for lewd conduct with a sex worker. He was in a relationship with actress Liz Hurley at the time.

Other celebrities adored by the public only to find their police photos on the front page of papers and magazines include Frank Sinatra, Lindsay Lohan, Chicago Bulls star Scottie Pippen and Tiger Woods.

One mugshot that transcended the initial arrest was that of renowned actress Jane Fonda.

In 1970, Fonda was arrested by Cleveland police on suspicion of drug trafficking. She was returning to the US from Canada after participating in an anti-war university speaking tour. Fonda was against the Vietnam War, a stance that was deemed by some as anti-American.

The black and white mugshot, where she is pictured raising her fist, has become synonymous with the actress, and a symbol of solidarity and defiance. The 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 – with photographers and fashion designers taking inspiration from the format. From the tight composition to the sombre tone, the mugshot has influenced photographers and artists such as Richard Avedon and Andy Warhol.

New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art held an exhibition in 2016 entitled Crimes Stories: Photography and Foul Play that showcased works of art and practices inspired by crime and its documentation.

Fashion designers such as Jean Paul Gaultier, Alexander McQueen and many others have also created collections, editorials and fashion campaigns, infused with elements of the mugshot.

History of the mugshot

In 1888 French police officer Alphonse Bertillon created the prototype of what we now call the mugshot.

The two photos of the arrested individual, including one front and one profile shot, along with information on the subject’s physical features, were used by authorities for record keeping. They were also a means for victims to identify their attackers and have been used in wanted posters to keep the public informed.

The mugshot format has endured over the years, and on occasion has entered the public consciousness through popular culture. The stern photographs of public figures provide a stark contrast to their usual depictions; whether on television, red carpets or glossy magazine covers.