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Celebrities who used the ‘do you know who I am?’ line to get out of arrests including Reese Witherspoon and Zach Bryan
Plus, their statements following the arrests
OVER the years, celebrities have attempted to use their status to get out of arrests.
Here's a look at some who used the, "Do you know who I am?" line —from Reese Witherspoon's iconic arrest to Justin Timberlake's recent run-in with the law.
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REESE WITHERSPOON
On April 19, 2013, actress Reese Witherspoon and her now ex-husband, Jim Toth, were arrested in Atlanta, Georgia.
Jim, who was driving the car, was pulled over by Georgia police on suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol.
While Jim was performing a sobriety test, Reese reportedly wouldn't stay in the car.
The Legally Blonde star began to question the cops as to whether he knew her identity.
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"Do you know my name?" Reese asked as per the arrest report via The Guardian.
"You're about to find out who I am. You're about to be on national news."
Reese was later arrested on disorderly conduct while Jim was charged with a DUI and failure to maintain the lane.
The two were released shortly after their arrest.
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On the Sunday after the arrest, Reese shared a statement saying, "I clearly had one drink too many and I am deeply embarrassed about the things I said.
"It was definitely a scary situation and I was frightened for my husband, but that is no excuse.
Zach Bryan breaks silence on arrest for obstruction of investigation in Oklahoma and admits he was ‘out of line’
"I was disrespectful to the officer who was just doing his job. I have nothing but respect for the police and I'm very sorry for my behavior," she concluded her statement.
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
Last month, on June 17, Justin Timberlake was arrested for driving while intoxicated in the Sag Harbor, New York.
Justin was charged with one count of DWI and released the following day without bail on his own recognizance, The Suffolk County DA confirmed to The U.S. Sun.
The Cry Me a River singer was arrested due to his refusal to take a breathalyzer test.
He was also cited for running a stop sign and failing to maintain in the lane.
When his 2025 BMW UT was pulled over, authorities smelled alcohol on the singer's breath, noting his glassy eyes and slowed speech.
Justin reportedly told the police he only had "one martini" at The American Hotel.
Following his arrest, a source told Page Six that the cop who arrested Justin "was so young that he didn't know" who the singer was.
The insider claimed to the outlet, “The cop didn’t know who he was at first. Justin said under his breath, ‘This is going to ruin the tour.’ The cop replied, ‘What tour?’ Justin said, ‘The world tour.'”
He addressed his DWI arrest at one of his Chicago shows, saying, "We've been together through ups and downs, lefts and rights, and, um, it's been a tough week.
"Nothing can change this.
"I know I'm hard to love sometimes but you keep loving me and I love you right back. Thank you so much."
Justin is due back in court later this month.
ZACH BRYAN
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In early September 2023, country singer Zach Bryan was arrested in Oklahoma for obstructing an investigation.
A police officer pulled over Zach's security guard for speeding while Zach was driving close by in his own truck.
When he pulled over in the spot next to his security guard, Zach got out but the cops instructed him to remain in his vehicle.
The cop's dashboard footage saw The Something in the Orange singer asking the officer what was taking so long.
"Well, it's not any of your biz," the cop replied. "You need to get back in your truck."
The cop continued, "Either get back in your truck or go to jail," to which Bryan responded, "I'll go to jail."
The officer handcuffed Bryan and escorted him to the cop car.
"I get it. This is my security guard — I'm just waiting for him," Bryan tried to explain himself.
While speaking with the officer, Bryan continuously asked him to remove his handcuffs, saying he'd go back in the car if they did.
When the officer refused, Bryan said, "This is why people do not like police officers."
He reportedly asked if the cop asked about his identity before claiming, "I know every... sheriff in Tulsa. I know you don't give a f**k, but this is insane."
The officer took Bryan to the station where he was released later that day.
Hours later, Bryan addressed the situation via X in a video.
"Today I had an incident with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Emotions got the best of me and I was out of line in the things I said," he wrote in the post.
He went on to say he supports police and apologized before addressing his viral mug shot.
"They brought me to jail, and there is a mug shot of me floating around," he said.
He spoke on the matter again in a separate post.
"To be clear in the video I posted, I’m not trying to save face or act like the good guy, I was a complete spoiled asshole to these police officers and I’ll spend the next few weeks trying my best to right my wrongs and take back what I said," he wrote.
"I do respect police officers and I made a massive mistake. I am embarrassed for myself, my family, and the people I love but all I can do now is sincerely apologize."
ALEC BALDWIN
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Actor Alec Baldwin was arrested in May 2014 after he rode his bike in the wrong direction down a New York City street.
When Alec was approached by law enforcement, the 30 Rock star allegedly started yelling at police.
"Police stated that he got belligerent and started arguing with them and using profanity," Deputy Chief Kim Y. Royster, said as per CNN.
At the time of the incident, Alec wasn't carrying identification and authorities took the actor into custody.
While he was in custody, Alec reportedly asked the desk supervisor, "How old are these officers that they don't know who I am?"
Alec was charged and received two summonses, which included one for disorderly conduct.
He was later released to which Alec took to X to post the badge number of the officer who arrested him.
In another tweet, he wrote, "New York City is a mismanaged carnival of stupidity that is desperate for revenue and anxious to criminalize behavior once thought benign."
SHIA LABEOUF
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That same year, actor Shia LaBeouf was arrested in June for disorderly conduct, harassment, and criminal trespass.
The Transformers actor was handcuffed while attending the Broadway production of Cabaret.
According to authorities as per CNN, Shia was drunk and being disruptive while the show was going on.
A police officer was called to the scene where they escorted him off the premises.
As Shia was being walked out of the theater, Shia said, "F**k you. This is f**king bulls**t.
"Do you know my life? Do you know who the f**k I am?"
He was held in a New York City jail overnight.
Timberlake's Criminal Attorney to the Stars
Justin Timberlake hired Sag Harbor legal eagle Ed Burke Jr for his DWI case
Justin's attorney has represented a gamut of notable names out east.
In 2015, the attorney represented a pre #MeToo era Matt Lauer in his fight with his Water Mill neighbors to plant trees along his property in an effort to combat noise from adjoining properties that were spooking his horses.
In 2017, Ed represented Harvey Weinstein in a fender bender incident in a parking lot in the Hamptons, where the disgraced movie mogul allegedly tried to drive away.
In 2001, he represented Lizzie Grubman, a nightlife publicist whose car careened into a crowd of 16 people in front of a Hamptons club, before fleeing the scene.
Shia pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct. However, the other charges were dropped.
Following his arrest, Shia sought treatment for alcoholism.
Read More on The US Sun
A rep told Us Weekly, "Contrary to previous erroneous reports, Shia LaBeouf has not checked into a rehabilitation facility but he is voluntarily receiving treatment for alcohol addiction.
"He understands that these recent actions are a symptom of a larger health problem and he has taken the first of many necessary steps towards recovery."
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