Even before Shia LaBeouf’s Mardi Gras arrest outside of a Marigny bar, the movie star’s presence in New Orleans had been noticed by locals. From taking photos with fans on parade routes to partying on Bourbon Street, the “Transformers” actor was seemingly living it up over the last few weeks of 2026 Carnival.
And he hasn’t left, even after a confrontation at R Bar where he’s accused of punching two people and dislocating one victim’s nose as he was kicked out of the Royal Street hotspot. The incident was caught on camera and left the 39-year-old LaBeouf facing two counts of simple battery.
LaBeouf’s arrest and national media coverage that followed thrust him into the spotlight and led to a swirl of rumors surrounding the star’s current city of residence.
The actor has not publicly announced if he has moved to New Orleans, but there are signs he’s purchased a home Uptown and is living in the Crescent City.
When the New Orleans Police Department arrested LaBeouf on Feb. 17, the star’s residential address was listed as a home in the 5300 block of Laurel Street. The renovated cottage was first built in 1921 and has three bedrooms, three and a half baths and is two blocks off Magazine Street.
The house sold for just under $1.1 million on Dec. 15, 2025, to a business registered to attorney Malcolm Meyer, according to the Secretary of State’s office.
Nearby businesses include Octavia Books, Domilise’s po-boy shop and Whole Foods.
LaBeouf has been spotted at businesses and public places near the Laurel Street address in the days since his arrest. He was photographed running in Audubon Park, was spotted at Italian restaurant Osteria Lupo over the weekend and has frequented a Magazine Street coffee shop.
Congregation Coffee regular Cory Decareaux, who lives in the neighborhood, said he’s seen him six or seven times along Magazine Street over the past week.
“Always on a run,” he said, “or he comes into the coffee shop.”
LaBeouf is no stranger to Louisiana, as he is Louisiana Cajun on his father’s side and has family in the area. He has previously spent time in Slidell and New Orleans.
But the actor’s recent presence in the Crescent City, now being documented by TMZ and other entertainment publications, has drawn mixed reactions online. Influencers and Mardi Gras revelers posted photos and videos with the actor, some on Bourbon in the hours after he was released from jail. Others have questioned the star’s sobriety and have pointed out his history of arrests and abusive behavior. In 2025, he settled a lawsuit filed by ex-girlfriend FKA Twigs in which he was accused of “relentless” abuse while they were a couple.
LaBeouf’s first New Orleans court appearance related to the fight at R Bar is set for 10 a.m. Thursday, where he must show up in person as a condition of his bond agreement.
Times-Picayune reporter Jenna Ross contributed to this report.