Home Improvement Actor Arrested For Very Serious Charges

Home Improvement actor Zachery Ty Bryan was arrested following an alleged assault in Eugene, Ore. on Oct. 16, 2020, according to AP. Bryan, who's best known for playing Tim Allen's eldest son, Brad Taylor, on the popular '90s sitcom, reportedly assaulted his 27-year-old girlfriend, "impeded her breathing, and took her phone away when she tried to call 911," per the Eugene Police Department. 

After police arrived on scene to attend to a "physical dispute" report at around 10:30 p.m., they found the 39-year-old former child star sitting outside the apartment building, while the alleged victim, who reportedly "declined medical assistance," was at a nearby friend's apartment. According to sources cited by TMZ, Bryan had allegedly "gotten into some sort of argument with the woman — with whom he has a relationship — and it allegedly became physical ... with the victim claiming ZTB put his hands around her throat and squeeze."

Deadline reports Bryan was charged for three offenses after being booked at the Lane County Jail in the early hours of the following morning. The outlet further noted that, per the sheriff's office, "in addition to strangulation, the actor has been charged for fourth-degree assault and interfering with making a police report."

Zachery Ty Bryan began working on ABC's Home Improvement 1991, starring alongside Tim Allen as his dad, Patricia Richardson as mom Jill, and TV brothers Jonathan Taylor Thomas and Taran Noah Smith until the series ended in 1999. He would continue to work in TV and movies over the next decade, including appearances on shows like Veronica Mars, Smallville, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and movies such as The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift.

Starting in 2010, the former actor left the spotlight and went into business, opening a sports bar in Hollywood called Big Wangs. However, this business venture unfortunately came with its own share of drama. According to TMZ, Bryan sued two of his business partners, Peter Brill and Joe Barker, for unspecified damages for allegedly "using the bar as a personal piggy bank." In the lawsuit, Bryan claimed that they "funneled Big Wangs' profits to open competing restaurants," as well as to purchase cars, vacations, and a Hollywood Hills home.

It appears the past ten years have not been easy for the former successful child actor. Prior to the alleged assault against his girlfriend in October 2020, there had not been much news about Bryan throughout the remainder of the 2010s.

Zachery Ty Bryan's arrest comes just a couple weeks after the actor took to Instagram to announce that he and his of 14 years, real estate agent Carly Matros, were separating, per the Daily Mail. The former couple share four children together.

"Almost Fourteen years as best friends, soulmates, partners and then parents," Bryan wrote in a since-deleted post on Oct. 1, 2020 (as captured by E! News). "It has been an incredible journey, but together, we've decided to turn the page and move on from our marriage." The former actor added, "As we enter into this next chapter, our children and relationship as co-parents and dear friends will remain our priority. We understand this news lends itself to public dialogue, but in the interest of our children and our family, we're asking for privacy, compassion and love during this time. Thank you."

At the time of this writing, neither Bryan nor his rep have publicly commented on his arrest or the alleged assault incident.

If you or someone you know is dealing with domestic abuse, you can call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1−800−799−7233 or TTY 1−800−787−3224. You can also find more information, resources, and support at www.thehotline.org.