I can’t pay child support, I earn only US $ 10, 000 — Mr. Bones star Faizon Love tells court
The 58- year- old actor was freed on Friday, 19 June, three days after he was detained
Actor Faizon Love, best known for his roles in Elf, Couples Retreat, and Mr Bones, has been released from custody after a child support dispute led to his incarceration.
The 58-year-old actor was freed on Friday, 19 June, three days after he was detained in Tampa, Florida, on two counts of contempt of court. Records indicate he had previously served a 16- day jail sentence in California before being transferred to Florida.
Love’s legal issues stem from a reopened paternity case filed by Tiffany Lee, identified by several media outlets as his former partner. Lee claims the actor owes about $ 250,000 in unpaid child support and told the court he had failed to make court-ordered payments for years.
During a court hearing, Lee alleged that Love once told her she “wasn’t’ going to get a dime” and intended to stop working to avoid making the payments.
However, Love’ s solicitor, Glen Lansky, countered the claims, arguing that his client has faced severe financial hardship.
“He was homeless. He lived in his car. That’ s how the mighty have fallen,” the lawyer told the court.
Love also informed the judge that he could not afford the court- mandated £ 2, 2,500 monthly child support payments, stating his income had dropped significantly. Appearing in court in a wheelchair, he said he survives mainly on annual royalty payments from Elf, amounting to about US $ 10, 000.
Court documents cited by U.S. media indicate that Love reported his highest annual income over the past five years was US $ 13, 000, while his 2025 income was listed as zero.
Lansky later clarified that the actor is no longer homeless and currently resides with a friend in California.
A judge has granted Love until 1 July to submit financial records proving his inability to meet the child support obligations. His solicitor said he plans to file a petition seeking a modification of the support order and expressed confidence in the case’ s outcome.
