The Most Successful Ex Convicts That Turned Their Life Around

Frank Abagnale - U.S. Government Official

Image Source/ BiographyDuring his adolescent years, Frank Abagnale frauded $2.5 million through cheques, successfully posing as a pilot, doctor, lawyer and professor. He served five years in prison after being caught by the French authorities. Since working for the U.S. Government, Abagnale has served more than 14,000 companies with fraud and security.

Georgia Durante - Stunt Driver

Image Source/ NPRAfter her stint as the iconic Kodak Summer Girl, Georgia Durante's life turned dark when she married into the mafia, assuming the role of getaway driver. However, she's redeemed herself by setting up a stunt-driving company Performance Two, which has created scenes for over 100 movies.

Piper Kerman - TV Show Star

Image Source/ PeoplePiper Kerman was born into a family of attorneys and doctors but still managed to lead herself down a chaotic road. After starting a romance with a heroin kingpin, her life quickly spiralled, resulting in a prison sentence. Upon her release, Kerman has worked with the TV series Orange is the New Black to tell her story.

Danny Trejo - Actor

Image Source/ VarietyDanny Trejo is notorious for playing the stereotypical tough guy characters in movies, but in reality was actually the tough guy years ago. As a youngster Trejo spent some time in prison for drug and robbery offences. When approached by a Hollywood Director, Trejo said:

"I've been in every penitentiary in the state of California. And so when they say, 'Can you do a robbery?' I go, 'Hell, done a few of those.'"

Greg Mathis - Judge

Image Source/ WCIUGreg Mathis, now TV legal reality TV show star, wasn't always on the good side of the law. As a teen, he joined a gang, causing usual gang trouble that landed him in jail for some time. However, after his mother's colon cancer diagnosis, Mathis focused on turning his life around at just 17.

Robert Downey Jr. - Actor

Image Source/ BBCIt comes as no surprise to see talented actor Robert Downey Jr. up here on this list, given his prolific and extensive crime history. After multiple offences with cocaine, heroin and marijuana, Downey finally turned his life around and battled his addictions, making himself a household name.

Frederick Hutson - Company Founder

Image Source/ Future SharksFrederick Hutson was son to a single mother of four. Despite having an optimistic youth, landing himself an electrician job with the US Air Force, he turned to drug trafficking and was incarcerated. Upon his release he founded the company Pigeonly, serving the contact between prisoners and family members.

Charles Colson - Presidential Aide

Image Source/ Christianity TodayCharles Colson, the former Nixon aide, plead guilty to obstructing justice during the Watergate scandal. During his time in prison, Colson started Prison Fellowship, now the world's largest prison outreach organisation. Colson's reasoning for starting the project was because he "could not forget those he had left behind prison walls."

Michael Vick - Pro Quarterback

Image Source/ Sky SportsMichael Vick was already a quarterback for Atlanta Falcons at the time that he was arrested for training pit bulls to fight against each other. Since his release he was signed by the Philadelphia Eagles and has his own show The Michael Vick Project on BET.

Coss Marte - Fitness Guru

Image Source/ MediumCoss Marte was in and out of prison like clockwork. At the age of 30, Marte found himself landed with six years behind bars for a drug operation. While incarcerated, he focused on his fitness and health, starting ConBody, a prison workout routine as exercised by Marte.

Junior Johnson - Racer

Image Source/ AutoweekJunior Johnson transported illegal alcohol throughout North Caroline in the 40s and 50s, using a superfast car. After serving just under a year in jail, he decided to pursue a racing career, since winning 50 races, competing in 313 and coming in top ten in all.

Martha Stewart - Business Mogul

Image Source/ BiographyBefore becoming the business mogul she's known as today, Martha Stewart was convicted for conspiracy and obstructing justice, landing her five months in jail. Since her release she's worked tirelessly to save her reputation, returning to TV with The Martha Stewart Show.

Jeff Henderson - Renowned Chef

Image Source/ Nightclub & Bar Show 2018Jeff Henderson, who was stabbed in the chest at just 16, is no stranger to gang-related violence. After his arrest in 1998 for drug distribution, he decided to commit his time in prison to his passion, cooking. Since his release is has written a book and appeared in numerous TV shows.

Cedric Hornbuckle - Business Founder

Image Source/ PEP Blog - WorkPress.comAt just 19, Cedric Hornbuckle landed himself a 12 year sentence and was bounced from unit to unit for getting into fights. While at Cleveland Correctional Facility he took part in the Prison Entrepreneurship Programme and started his own business after his release.

Dave Dahl - Pro Baker

Image Source/ MashedAfter being sentenced to more than 15 years in prison for drug-related offences, Dave Dahl turned his life around in the most unexpected way. He now works for his father's bakery and owns his own successful range known Dave's Killer Bread, popular in stores around the Oregon area.

Larry Jay Levine - Company Founder

Image Source/ Prisonist.orgLarry Jay Levine was no stranger to crime and was incarcerated for conspiracy charges in relation to a number of offences including narcotics, securities fraud, obstruction of justice and possession of automatic weapons. Upon his release, he put his experience and knowledge to use, starting his own legal service firm Wall Street Prison Consultants.

Mark Wahlberg - Actor

Image Source/ ELLEAfter dropping out of school, Mark Wahlberg started to run with street gangs. Being the youngest of nine siblings in a three-bed apartment, you can see why Wahlberg's environment led him astray. However, he managed to break the barriers before it was too late and is now one of the highest-paid male actors ever.

Ben Aldana - Lawyer

Image Source/ The Salt Lake TribuneGrowing up in a modest Utah home, you might've thought that Ben Aldana had it all. However, when he turned to meth, his life spiralled out of controlling, landing him behind bars. After admitting himself to the rehab programme, and he has since gone on to pass the bar.

Reginal Betts - Lawyer

Image Source/ Martial Arts PhiladelphiaReginal Dwayne Betts, the former carjacker, spent years inside prison for his grand theft auto crimes. However, this didn't stop him from attending and graduating from Yale University, and has been approved for practicing law in Connecticut, despite his previous convictions.

Clifford Harris Jr (T.I.) - Rapper

Image Source/ ABC NewsRapper T.I. was no stranger to street crime. Needing to support his mother and siblings, he turned to selling drugs, which led him down a dark path. After beginning rapping at eight years old, he eventually decided to focus on his career and leave his past of crime behind.

Shon Hopwood - Lawyer

Image Source/ Georgetown LawShon Hopwood was incarcerated for 12 years after committing armed robbery, but quickly found out he had a passion for the law. While leaning behind bars, he became adept enough to be able to defend himself and his cellmates and has since gone on to advise the White House on justice reforms.

50 Cent - Record Label Owner

Image Source/ PrisonBreakFreak.comNobody's career has had more ups and downs than 50 Cent's. With getting shot on the streets and being arrested, 50 Cent's image became quite tarnished, especially when he ended p in prison for 10 years. However, he defied all odds and now owns his very own record label.

Kevin Mitnick - Company Founder

Image Source/ Cybercrime MagazineAt just 16 years old, Kevin Mitnick managed to hack the computer system Digital Equipment Corporation, subsequently stealing software. After his three years a fugitive, the authorities caught up with him in 1995, jailing him for seven years. He now owns his own security company, Mitnick Security, which reveals lapses in security systems.

Tim Allen - Comedian

Image Source/ The IndependentComedian Tim Allen wasn't always the chirpy chap he is today, and was actually arrested in a Michigan airport for possession of cocaine, landing himself a prison sentence. After his parole, he turned his life around by focusing on his career, becoming a USA comedy favourite.

Stephen Richards - Professor

Image Source/ Amazon.comStephen Richards was incarcerated for nine years due to selling marijuana and witnessed suicides, beatings and shootings during this time. During prison he worked hard to receive his bachelor's degree and went on to become a professor off criminal justice.

Nicole Richie - Designer and Author

Nicole Richie was known for her chaotic teen years until she turned her life around dramatically. She was arrested several times for possession of heroin, driving with a suspended license, failing a sobriety test and driving the wrong way down the freeway. She decided to focus on her career, becoming a designer and author.

Kweisi Mfume - Congressman

Image Source/ TwitterWhen Kweisi Mfume was just 16 his mother passed away from cancer and catapulted his life into chaos. From then began a tumult of serial arrests with the police due to suspicions of theft. After dropping out of high school and fathering five kids, he decided to turn his life around and admitted to college. He's now become a congressman.

Christian Slater - Actor

Image Source/ LooperActor Christian Slater was arrested several times in the 80s and 90s for drunk driving, assault and carrying a weapon. After attending rehab for 100 days, he decided to reclaim his name by focusing on his career, becoming a very successful actor TV and film star.

Daniel Manville - Lawyer

Image Source/ JMU WordPress SitesDaniel Manville was incarcerated with a sentence of three years and four months on the count of manslaughter. While in prison, he decided to study law, earning himself two degrees and pursuing law school upon his release. Later he passed the bar and represented prison guards and inmates in civil court cases.

Tracy Mackness - Author

Image Source/ National Prison RadioTracy Mackness was well-known for being one of Essex's most infamous drug dealers. After landing herself in prison, she decided to get on the straight and narrow and took to counselling behind bars, which has since led her to become career-focused and has written her own autobiography.