Nicolas Cage: Before New Orleans arrest, a tattoo shop; after, bail by Dog the Bounty Hunter

Events surrounding Nicolas Cage's arrest and release are rolling out in that only-in-Hollywood way -- which is rather delightful, given that events went down in New Orleans.

"Was he drunk again?" a French Quarter resident asked news station WGNO on Saturday. (More on that later.)

The Oscar winner, it seems, was bailed out by none other than reality-TV star Duane "Dog" Chapman -- that's right, "Dog the Bounty Hunter," whose wife, Beth, said Saturday on Twitter, "My guy just walked out of the jail ... 8 hours holy cow that's a lot of time toProcess one guy."

"I am a truly dedicated fan of Mr. Cage," the Dog said in a statement, "and will not be granting any interviews about my client as I wish to respect his privacy. I performed my duties as a bail bondsman and not in connection with our show. This is what I do for a living."

Evidence of Cage's where-do-I-live confusion was seen before his arrest, when the actor swung by a tattoo parlor, demanding ink and asking employees to call the police for him because he couldn't remember where he lived, said TMZ, which has surveillance video in which he appears to be arguing with friends and his wife, Alice Kim.

A cabbie had called 911 to report Cage's Rue Dumaine spat with Kim, during which he grabbed her by her upper arm, police said, and pulled her toward a residence he believed was theirs.

"Nicolas is one of our best clients and normally such a gentleman," the dispatcher for the cab company told Radar Online. "He is a big tipper and always very kind. His arrest is quite shocking to me because I like him a lot."

But back to "Was he drunk again?": On March 4, the actor got a police escort out of the upscale restaurant Stella!, the New Orleans Times-Picayune said -- and an eyewitness wrote about the incident for the May edition of GQ.

Cage had had "an altercation" that night at the restaurant with his wife and 5-year-old son, Kal-el, according to GQ editor Jim Nelson. The "Drive Angry" star stayed at the bar after his family went home (we assume Kim knew her own address), Nelson said, boisterously chatting up restaurant patrons and basically taking a page out of the Charlie Sheen playbook regarding pricey wines and general chaos. Though the night didn't end in an arrest, it also didn't end well:

Cage was at the doorway, trying to get past the manager dude, grabbing onto the walls, his arms extended out as if he were desperate to catch an existential football. His hand went through a panel in the door, shattering the glass. "You LOVE ME!" he shouted to the restaurant staff, who surely at one point did.

The police were called ("In New Orleans that usually means nothing happens," Nelson wrote. "But they turned up -- for a drunk-and-disorderly at Mardi Gras, no less"), and Cage, 47, was taken home.

Though no charges were filed back in March, the actor was charged Saturday with domestic abuse battery, disturbing the peace and public drunkenness related to Friday night's alleged events. A "stay away" order was waived, the Times-Picayune said; police found no evidence of injury on Kim's arm.

What would Superman think?

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-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Nicolas Cage's booking photo from April 17, 2011, in New Orleans. Credit: Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office / Associated Press

 

Comments

[Dan Braverman]

The French Quarter is conducive to such behavior. I hope his wife is alright, and he is alright. I commend Dog the Bounty Hunter for doing his duty and being a gentleman about it. I look forward to working with Nic next week on Medallion.

[Bill Blass]

Nicholas always wears my pants. He is a great customer and a true gentleman. It was all just a misunderstanding.

[Alane Joy Lee]

Gee Nicky: Oh, Nicky ( you're so fine!)
I know you're having some major real estate and tax problems but don't go off the deep end, NOW! We all have had to take a shot from the moneyed bastards. That said: I predict the clouds are about to clear and you will see the sun of a new day. ( Try to tap into your personna of that nice quiet but forceful principled Con Air DUD.) (But, don't off anybody.) Keep the faith: Create Here to create Good Juju. The Urban Legend 602p, Phoenix Phenomenon author, journalist, playwright, intuitive. AJL, AKA BONES

[traumamama]

Awwww, I love Nicholas Cage, he is such a fun actor. I hope he doesn't go the way of Randy Quaid or Charlie Sheen. I am sure, being human, he has problems like any of us, be it financial or addiction situations. I'm addicted to chocolate. Come on, Nick....we love you. Get some help and keep working. We're pulling for you. Thanks, Dog for coming to his rescue!

[Big Sam]

Black out drunk?

[zelda]

Hey,Nicolas Cage,You are a very good actor and you know your how smart you are,There are a lot would love to be in your shoes,Get help so you will noe ruin tour life and be like Mel Gibson Charlie and a few others,Love your movies,Hang in there ,be strong,you can do it.

[Franklin Mcgorry]

Alright, Dan Braverman, way to use a celebrity arrest story to get your name out there..Good self-promotion!! Can someone please get me Braverman's agent on the phone, I want to hire that guy for my next project..