TAMPA, Fla. — Faizon Love, the beloved funnyman from “Elf,” “Friday” and “Couples Retreat,” was hauled into a Florida courtroom in handcuffs and a bright red prison jumpsuit Friday, looking every bit the broke, broken-down actor fighting for his freedom over massive unpaid child support.
The 58-year-old comic appeared in Hillsborough County court after being extradited from California, where he was busted a couple of weeks ago. He’s staring down two contempt-of-court charges in a long-running battle with ex Tiffany Lee, who claims the actor owes her around $250,000 in back payments for their child.
Love didn’t exactly roll in like a Hollywood hotshot. Sources say he showed up in a wheelchair, shackled at the wrists, after already serving 16 days behind bars. His lawyer painted a dire picture of a man down on his luck: scraping by on roughly $10,000 a year in residuals, mostly from his “Elf” gig, driving a beat-up 1999 car, and even living in it at times.
Court records paint an even bleaker portrait. Love reportedly declared zero income in 2025 and just $13,000 over the past five years, a far cry from his glory days sharing the screen with Will Ferrell, Ice Cube and Vince Vaughn.
His attorney told the judge Love was picked up in Riverside County, California, and shipped to Florida on orders from the Honorable Judge Mark Kiser. After a contentious hearing where lawyers sparred over hidden income claims, the judge ruled the 16 days already served were punishment enough. He suspended the rest of a 180-day sentence and cut Love loose, but not without strings.
The actor now has until July 1 to cough up updated financial records, with another hearing looming July 27.
Lee’s side fired back hard, alleging Love has threatened to quit working altogether just to dodge payments at the court-ordered $2,500-per-month rate. Love’s camp insists he’s flat broke, homeless at points and relying on friends to get by.
The case highlights the brutal reality for many actors who ride high on residuals from old hits only to watch the checks dry up while family court demands keep rolling in.
Big Worm from “Friday”, once a scene-stealer, is now fighting to prove he can’t even afford the basics. Hollywood’s a tough town, but child support court? Even tougher.
