A judge in California has put Nick Nolte on three-year probation after the actor pleaded guilty to driving under the influence of drugs.

Malibu Superior Court Judge Lawrence Mira also ordered Nolte to spend 90 more days undergoing drug rehabilitation, at the court hearing on Thursday.

A second drug charge relating to the actor's arrest on 11 September was dropped by the prosecution.

The 61-year-old star was charged with two misdemeanour offences of driving under the influence of the so-called "date rape" drug GHB.

He was stopped after police spotted him swerving across the road into the path of oncoming traffic.

Nolte is starring in the upcoming Hulk movie

On Thursday, the actor was also fined $500 (�316) and told that if he completed his current drug rehabilitation programme successfully he would then have to enter a state-run drug education programme within six months.

Nolte was also warned that if he violated the terms of his probation he would face up to six months in jail.

The judge told him: "If you violate (your probation) you're very likely to go to jail, do you understand that?"

Nolte, dressed in a charcoal suit and sunglasses, responded: "Yes sir." The judge then wished him good luck.

Nolte's solicitor said the actor inadvertently consumed the drug while taking a weightlifting supplement that may have contained it.

Movie accolades

Outside the court, Nolte and his solicitor were asked what the actor had to say to his fans.

Nolte muttered: "Don't drink and drive." He then stepped into a waiting car and was driven away.

Nolte begun the drug rehabilitation in October after leaving a substance abuse clinic that he entered in Connecticut three days after his arrest.

The Nebraska-born actor found fame on the hit TV series Rich Man Poor Man in the 1970s, which landed him an Emmy nomination.

He received Oscar nominations for 1991's The Prince Of Tides, and for Affliction in 1999.

His other film appearances include 48 Hours and its sequel, Another 48 Hours, Cape Fear, Simpatico and The Thin Red Line.

He will be seen next year in Hulk, based on The Incredible Hulk character, and he recently attended the Toronto Film Festival to promote his latest film, The Good Thief.