Simon Baker's fall from grace: Actor admits to drink-driving

Simon Baker in "The Mentalist" solved criminal puzzles for years. Now, he has committed a crime, which he openly admitted to.

Simon Baker is known for his role in The Devil Wears Prada and the series The Mentalist, in which he played Patrick Jane. He earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for this role and gained huge popularity. After "The Mentalist," he didn't land equally good roles and usually acted in less recognisable productions. The latest is the Netflix miniseries "Boy Swallows Universe." And now, the actor, by his own doing, has bad press worldwide.

The actor admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol, but instead of appearing in court in northern New South Wales, he chose to go surfing in Sydney.

According to the "Daily Mail," the 55-year-old actor was excused from the obligation to appear in court in Mullumbimby personally. A lawyer represented him. On 20th July this year, Baker was stopped on Booyung Rd in Nashua, about 30 kilometres from Byron Bay. In short, he was caught red-handed. Court documents show that the actor admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol. He now faces another court date set for 11th September. Then, the actor will hear what punishment awaits him for drunk driving.

Simon Baker spent the first years with his family in New Guinea. His parents divorced there. His mother got into a relationship with another man and returned to Australia with him, Simon, and his older sister. Baker grew up not knowing his biological father. Before starting his film and television career, he was a surfing champion. Foreign media reports that before he was caught for drink-driving, he was often seen driving his new Tesla to the sea to catch waves.