Hallmark star arrested after bar fight in Florida, cops say. ‘Unfortunate incident'

Miami Herald

21-02-2025

A night out on the town in Northeast Florida didn't end well for Eric Mabius.
The former 'Ugly Betty' star, 53, was arrested after an alleged fight at a bar called The Goat in Yulee, in the wee hours of Thursday.
As per a police report from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, cops responded to the establishment that specializes in draft beers and well drink specials after calls came in about a fight.
Officers immediately saw Mabius and a female suspect who appeared 'extremely intoxicated' and 'yelling at everyone.'
A female victim told police that Mabius and his companion were causing a major disturbance, and that after a bartender asked the woman to leave, she began to spit on people, says the complaint.
Things escalated, and at one point, the victim alleges the woman pushed her and that's when Mabius knocked them both to the ground. While on the floor, she said the Pennsylvania native began 'ripping a handful of hair from her scalp.' A male patron who stepped in to stop the brawl corroborated the story.
While Mabius was outside, the actor became 'more belligerent,' refusing simple commands to sit on a bench, the report says. Both the Hallmark Channel star and his companion, 40, were placed under arrest and charged with simple battery and resisting without violence.
In Mabius' mugshot, the divorced father of two — whose address is listed in Fernandina Beach, about 10 miles from Yulee — appears to have an injured eye.
'This type of behavior will not be tolerated in our community, regardless of celebrity status,' Nassau County Sheriff Bill Leeper said. 'Our deputies quickly dealt with an uncooperative individual, and we're thankful no one was seriously injured during this unfortunate incident.'