Actor Brendan Fraser, known for his starring role in “The Mummy” franchise, is reportedly seeking to reduce the $900,000 per year he pays in alimony and child support to his ex-wife, Afton Smith.
According to the New York Post, Fraser claimed in court that he is unable to afford the payments due to difficulties in finding work after the release of “Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor” in 2008.
Despite this, IMDb lists Fraser as being connected to 17 projects since then.
Fraser stated in court that he had not been able to make money from future acting work at the time of his divorce from Smith in 2007, despite later starring in successful films such as “Journey to the Center of the Earth,” which grossed $242 million, and “Inkheart,” which reportedly earned $2 billion worldwide.
However, Fraser alleged that these deals were not set in stone at the time of his divorce.
Smith accused her ex-husband of “fraud” for not disclosing $9 million in new film contracts that he had signed since their divorce.
Fraser, who is currently worth $15 million according to Celebrity Net Worth, claimed that he has had “considerable” difficulty earning as much as before due to undisclosed medical problems.
Fraser and Smith, who married in 1998, are expected to return to court this week. This is not the first time Fraser has faced legal issues related to his finances.
Last year, he was sued for $25,000 by producer Todd Moyer, who accused the actor of attacking him during a film meeting in 2011.
Fraser had previously sued Moyer for $3 million for delaying production.
Despite Fraser’s claims of financial difficulty, his ex-wife’s lawyer argues that he has assets worth $24.7 million.
The Canadian actor has reportedly been unable to find significant work since the “Mummy” franchise, despite his past success.
Fraser’s financial situation highlights the issue of spousal and child support payments in Hollywood divorces.
While celebrities may earn millions from successful films and projects, their financial situation can change quickly and drastically, leaving them struggling to pay large sums to their former partners.
The case also sheds light on the difficulties that actors face in finding consistent work in Hollywood, even after achieving success in a popular franchise.
