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Richard Tyson was arrested after getting busted for harassment and public intoxication on Wednesday, June 19, 2019.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, officers were called around 2:45 a.m. about a possible fight involving the the 58-year-old actor, producer, director, and screenwriter. Tyson was booked into Mobile Metro Jail just before 5 a.m. and was released before 9 a.m.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Tyson Was a Well-Known Actor
Richard Tyson as Cullen Crisp in “Kindergarten Cop.”
According to his IMDb page, Tyson’s acting career began in 1986 when he played the role of Daniel in the TV series “Moonlighting.” He is currently involved in several projects that are in post-production, some in pre-production, one currently filming, and another recently announced.
Over the years Tyson has racked up 134 acting credits, which include his most prominent role, the villain Cullen Crisp Sr, a drug dealer who went toe-to-toe with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the 1990 flick, “Kindergarten Cop.” Tyson has also starred in many well-known movies and TV shows, including “Kingpin,” “Me, Myself & Irene,” “There’s Something About Mary,” and “Black Hawk Down.”
According to his Facebook page, Tyson is also a Freemason and a member of Abba Shriner’s of Mobile, Alabama, where he starred in and narrated many membership informational videos.
2. Tyson Was Born in Mobile, Alabama Where He Was Arrested
Tyson documented his history on his Facebook page. He was born in Mobile, Alabama and graduated from Davidson High School in 1974. He earned a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts from Cornell University.
“I enjoy playing golf and appear regularly on the Mr. Cigar radio show in Los Angeles,” Tyson wrote on his page. “I won the “Peacemaker Award” in Russia in 2006. Also, am a 3° Freemason and a member of the Abba Shriners in Mobile.”
Aside from acting and golf, Tyson is an animal lover, having filmed a video for an adoption day at the Mobile County Shelter. In the 30 second clip from 2014, Tyson instructs the adorable pups to be on their best behavior.
3. A Football Injury Changed the Course of Tyson’s Life
In an interview on The Rick Dees Show in 1991, Tyson sits on the couch in a billowing green shirt and black jeans as he pushes his long, thick hair out of his face. He tells the host that “God stepped in” and pulled his right foot off his leg in a football game in his first year of college at West Point.
If it weren’t for the incident, Tyson said he would have been in “the Gulf flying one of those jets.” Tyson said his father was a fighter pilot for more than thirty years, having served in Korea. After the injury ended his football career, Tyson left West Point, saying he pursued cultural and artistic happiness.
Interestingly, Tyson told Rick that he originally wanted to become a lawyer, but didn’t because he “couldn’t talk.” After giving up sports and dreams of becoming a lawyer, Tyson sort of stumbled into acting, having followed a girlfriend to a theater one night where people were auditioning for a play. He got on stage and wowed the director, landing the lead role.
5. Tyson’s Moved to Los Angeles With Only $100
In his interview with Rick Dees, Tyson said that shortly after catching the acting bug, he moved to Los Angeles with $100 dollars in his pocket. Tyson shared a funny anecdote about the trip.
“I came out with $100 on the Greyhound bus,” Tyson began. “I waved goodbye to my brother and he said he counted them. ‘There’s 47 people here to go see you be in the movies, you better do it.’ I held my thumb out. I was so proud and I was a little scared. There were 47 people, no band, but there were 47 people and I was like alright I’m out of here. The bus pulled out and it was going to make the block to get on the freeway and I looked over to the lady across from me and I said ‘Hey where are you going’ and she goes ‘Cincinnati’ and I said ‘You’re on the wrong bus honey.’ She ran up to the front, came back and I said ‘What’s wrong’ and she goes ‘You’re on the wrong bus.”
Tyson, who was uncontrollably sweating throughout the entirety of the interview, to the point they had to get him a towel, had the crowd laughing in their seats.
4. Tyson’s Brother Was a District Attorney in Mobile, Alabama
According to IMDb, his brother, John Tyson Jr. was a district attorney for the city of Mobile, Alabama for 30 years, and was the 2006 Democratic candidate for Alabama Attorney General.
From Tyson’s story about moving to Hollywood to pursue acting, it is clear that his brother was very supporting and encouraging. Both have been very successful. Tyson eventually went on to marry an actress.
According to his Facebook page, Tyson was married to actress Tracy Kristofferson, daughter of the legendary actor of A Star Is Born (1976) fame, Kris Kristofferson. While it is unclear when they married, they divorced in 2017. The two share a daughter Maggie Lee Tyson.