Australian actor and star of The Mentalist Simon Baker has pleaded guilty to drink-driving as he avoided court after training at an exclusive Bondi gym.
The 55-year-old was excused from appearing in person at Mullumbimby Local Court on Wednesday morning, with his solicitor representing him in his place.
Court documents show a guilty plea was entered and accepted for operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol (first offense).
Prosecutors dropped a charge of attempted driving under the influence of alcohol.
He was arrested on Booyung Rd in Nashua, about 30 kilometres from Byron Bay, early on the morning of July 20, and was charged by NSW Police last month.
Baker is known to divide his time between Tamarama in Sydney’s wealthy eastern suburbs and a rural property in Nashua, between Lismore and Byron Bay.
The Devil Wears Prada star has frequently been photographed driving a Tesla around Byron Bay.
Baker is due to appear in court for sentencing on September 11.
A day before his court appearance, Baker appeared dejected as he was spotted working out at the Bondi Icebergs gym.
Simon Baker was photographed walking towards Icebergs gym on Tuesday
Baker divides his time between Sydney’s eastern suburbs and Nashua in northern New South Wales.
Baker cut a casual figure in a blue shirt and green shorts, which he paired with a white hat.
Baker earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for his portrayal of Patrick Jane in The Mentalist from 2008 to 2015.
Most recently, he was nominated for a TV Week Logie and 11 other awards for his starring role in the Netflix drama Boy Swallows Universe.
Baker, who played Robert Bell in the Netflix hit, was previously married to Rebecca Rigg, but they confirmed their split in 2021 after 29 years of marriage.
The couple are believed to have quietly split in 2020, months before officially confirming the news publicly.
They have three children and own property together in Nashua.
Baker has a long history in the Northern Rivers region of New South Wales, having spent much of his youth at Lennox Head.
Following his marriage breakup, he briefly dated Byron Bay sportswear designer Laura May Gibbs.
