When will hot-tempered celebs figure out you can’t go around beating people up just because you’re famous?

Gerard Butler is the latest big name to be looking at jail time for using his fists. The AP reports L.A. prosecutors have slapped Butler with a misdemeanor battery charge for punching a paparazzo. The incident occurred in Hollywood last October, when the actor was leaving a premiere party for his film “RocknRolla.”

Butler’s taking this seriously, since he’s hired pricey attorney-to-the-stars Blair Berk to represent him. He’d better, since he faces six months in the slammer if convicted.

Still-single Jennifer Aniston was seen having a cozy dinner in L.A. last week with hot leading man Gerard Butler. A source told Page Six:

“They were very affectionate to each other. There was another man at the table, but he looked like he was a chaperone—or just there to stop tongues wagging. They basically ignored him.”

Tabloid the Star reported that the third wheel was director Andy Tennant and the dinner was a business meeting. Yeah, they all say that.

We spotted Gerard Butler running around West Hollywood yesterday, a day after he allegedly beat a pap down as he was leaving the Crown Bar around 2:00 AM. TMZ reports that the LAPD is looking into the case after the photog filed a police report later that morning after receiving medical attention.

“Gerard allegedly then reached in the car, grabbed the photog’s throat and and punched him three or four times. Butler allegedly then kicked the car and again punched the photog three or four times — close-fisted — for good measure.”

TMZ is now reporting that Gerard may have been provoked into beating the pap down because the pap was following Gerard for hours that night and that he may have been driving recklessly. Lord knows there are times when I want to beat some paps down while on the job but after looking at the pictures, even Sean Penn must be thinking that’s a bit too much.

Our photogs spotted Gerard Butler yesterday on the set of The Ugly Truth in Studio City. Gerard made sure he had enough energy for the day’s filming, as he packed in the liquids with coffee and a muscle drink. I think that’s what those things are called. Maybe he needed a pick me up. Gerard will be seen in the next Guy Ritchie movie, RocknRolla. The film’s about London’s criminal underworld and knowing Guy Ritchie’s work, it’ll be packed full of action. Gerard kind of reminds me of Russell Crowe, I don’t know why. Anyway, check out a couple other pics of Gerard below.

Our photogs spotted Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler on the set of their movie, The Ugly Truth. Katherine arrived at the set accompanied by her husband, Josh Kelley. He brought his guitar along because while she films, he writes songs. Okay, I’m not sure he really does that, but it would be a very productive way to spend his day while he waits for Kath. Anyway, The Ugly Truth is a comedy about a romantically challenged morning show producer (Katherine) who is reluctantly embroiled in a series of outrageous tests by her chauvinistic correspondent (Gerard) to prove his theories on relationships and help her find love. Sounds riveting, I know. It’ll be out on theaters next April.