After attending Ball State University for a brief period, Baldwin began his career as a stand-up comedian. In 1988, he made the switch to acting, and appeared on various television series throughout the early 80s and late 90s. In 1993, Baldwin landed a regular role on Homicide: Life on the Street, which he would play until 2005. After his long-time role on Homicide ended, Baldwin appeared on VH1 celeb-reality show, Celebrity Fit Club, with Mia Taylor, Kim Coles, Wendy Kauffman, Biz Markie, Joe Gannascoli, Ralphie May, and Judge Mablean Ephriam. Baldwin caused concern when he began showing up onset in a disoriented and agitated state – and then missed the show’s finale episode, which caused his team to lose the show’s competition.

While starring on Homicide: Life on the Street, Baldwin became involved with co-star, Isabella Hofmann. The couple had a son, Atticus, on July 13, 1996. Baldwin also has a daughter, Kahlea, with high school sweetheart and former wife, Cheryl Baldwin; as well as two daughters with second wife, Elizabeth Baldwin.

In recent years, Baldwin has become more famous for his brushes with the law than his acting pursuits. On April 22, 2006, he was arrested for threatening a woman at Ocean Park Motel in Santa Monica. Police reportedly found cocaine in Baldwin’s motel room, and no charges were pressed.

Three months later, Baldwin was arrested again after running a red light and crashing his car into two other parked cars on a Los Angeles street. According to reports, Baldwin was driving a Thunderbird 80 mph in a 35 mph zone when "The Thunderbird pushed one of the vehicles about 20 feet, and that was a Hummer."

On November 7, 2006, Baldwin was arrested yet again for allegedly stealing a white GMC Yukon SUV in Santa Monica. The SUV belonged to an acquaintance of Baldwin’s, although he did not have permission to take the vehicle.

Although his record of three arrests in 2006 caused considerable alarm, signs of Baldwin’s troubles were apparent as early as 1998, when the star was admitted to hospital in critical condition after being found suspected of drug overdose in a hotel room.

Despite considering himself the black sheep of the family, Baldwin has managed to duck one dubious "honor" that his brothers haven’t: a Razzie award.

YUDDY