Posted on: Monday, December 8, 2008
Bad boys quick to find own fame
By Madeleine Marr
McClatchy-Tribune News Service
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Sean Stewart, 28, son of singer Rod Stewart, is battling his demons on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew."
Advertiser library photo
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It used to be that Christian Brando was the poster boy for bad-behaving Hollywood offspring.
But Marlon Brando's son died last year of pneumonia, leaving quite the sordid obituary (he pleaded guilty to manslaughter in the 1990 death of Dag Drollet, the boyfriend of his half-sister Cheyenne; in 2005, he also pleaded guilty to spousal abuse).
The next logical successor to the bad-boy throne probably is Cameron Douglas. The 30-year-old DJ/actor has been a cause for a few of Michael Douglas' gray hairs. But since his arrest last year on cocaine possession charges, Cam has kept a pretty low profile. Wish we could say the same for these other famous kids. It would save their dads a lot of embarrassment — and cash:
Bradley Gumbel: The 29-year-old son of Bryant Gumbel was arrested for an alleged DUI last week in New York, where state troopers noticed his SUV swerving on a highway around 3 a.m. When they approached the car (which smelled of booze and had a large dent), Bradley was sleeping. Cops says Gumbel's blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal limit. At least he pulled over.
In 2002, Bradley had more trouble — but this time it wasn't actually his fault. He was arrested for a mugging in Manhattan but it was later revealed to be a case of mistaken identity. Whoops!
Sean Stewart: He got the best of both parents — Rod's great bushy mane and Alana's All American puss — but not much good sense. Most recently, dad had to settle a case with a Hollywood guy who Sean, 28, allegedly pummeled in a bar two years ago. The little troublemaker, who appeared in A&E's "Sons of Hollywood," is battling his demons on VH1's "Celebrity Rehab with Dr. Drew." A start. "A lot of people use drugs because they're under pressure," Stewart has said. "If you come from money you don't know who to trust or who is using you. It can be hard."
Jack Pullman: Last week, Asheville, N.C., cops nabbed Bill Pullman's 19-year-old son on charges of assaulting an officer and possession of moonshine (nontax paid liquor — "whoo-ah"!). The hellraiser and a pal (students at the not-exactly-Ivy Warren Wilson College) were additionally charged with resisting officers. The arrest can't help dad's image — Pullman is known for playing such straight-laced characters as the president in "Independence Day" and the milquetoast boyfriend in "Sleepless in Seattle."
Redmond O'Neal: We all know this story: Both son, 23, and father Ryan, 67, were caught in dad's Malibu house in September with methamphetamine. Officers conducting a routine probation checkup for Redmond (for previous drug-related charges) found the, um, pharmaceuticals. Ryan's lawyer has claimed the "Love Story" star was hiding the drugs from his son — and we believe that. Who knows what will happen? Their arraignment was put off till next year at the request of the O'Neals, who also are dealing with Red's mom Farrah Fawcett's cancer battle and his half-sister Tatum's affinity for crack cocaine.
Christian Peppard: Last month, the son of George Peppard (mom is Elizabeth Ashley) got caught with major marijuana — 38 pounds' worth — on a Utah interstate. Christian and a passenger were stopped for following too close behind another vehicle. The Salt Lake Tribune reported that Peppard told the trooper he was the son of "The A-Team" actor and was traveling to Dearborn, Mich., to visit his grave. While the trooper was running the 40-year-old's license, a dog sniffed paydirt in the trunk.
The five-times-married George Peppard, who died in 1994, was an alcoholic, but gave up drinking in 1978.
