Faizon Love has been released from custody after a contempt-of-court case tied to child support payments put the Elf actor back in the headlines.
The actor and comedian appeared in a Hillsborough County, Florida, courtroom Friday, June 19, after spending 16 days in custody in connection with the case. FOX 13 Tampa Bay reported that a judge ordered him released later that day.
Love, 58, is known for roles in Friday, Elf, The Replacements and Couples Retreat. He appeared in court in a wheelchair and told the judge he could not afford the required child support payments, according to FOX 13.
The hearing drew wider attention after Love’s attorney described his financial situation in stark terms, saying the actor had lived in his car, had no savings and was relying on annual Elf royalty checks of around $10,000.
Love Was Released After a Florida Court Hearing
ABC News reported that jail records showed Love was booked in Hillsborough County on June 16 on two counts of contempt of court. His attorney, Glen R. Lansky, told the outlet that Love had been arrested in Riverside County, California, before being transported to Florida.
Lansky said the underlying case involved a motion for contempt over failure to pay child support. FOX 13 reported that the case involved payments to a woman in Tampa, while People reported that Tiffany Lee, identified by several outlets as Love’s ex, claims he owes around $250,000 in unpaid child support.
During the hearing, Love was asked whether he could currently pay $2,500 per month in child support. “Right now? No,” he said, according to WWSB’s report on the court appearance.
His Attorney Said He Relies on ‘Elf’ Royalty Checks
Love’s financial situation became a central part of the hearing. FOX 13 reported that the actor said his income was too low to afford the payments and that he depends on annual Elf royalty checks that amount to about $10,000.
His attorneys argued that he had no permanent home, no savings and a 1999 vehicle, and that a friend was helping cover many of his expenses. Lansky also said previous attorneys had not properly submitted paperwork about Love’s lack of income.
“They’re painting him as a complete villain,” Lansky said, according to FOX 13. The attorney also told the court that Love missed a scheduled movie role while jailed and said the actor wanted to keep acting and writing.
The Homelessness Claim Was Later Clarified
Lansky later told People that Love is not currently homeless. “He was only homeless for a very brief period of time and currently lives with a friend in California,” the attorney said.
People also reported that court documents obtained by TMZ stated Love’s highest gross annual income in the last five years was $13,000, with no income listed for 2025. The financial claims remain part of Love’s argument that he cannot currently meet the child-support order.
Attorneys for Lee disputed Love’s position in court. WWSB reported that they said he had ignored court orders and had not paid child support in years. Lee also told the court that Love had previously said she “wasn’t going to get a dime,” according to the station.
The Next Deadline Comes July 1
The judge gave Love a July 1 deadline to file an updated financial statement supporting his claim that he cannot afford the required payments. Lansky told People he plans to file a supplemental petition to modify child support.
The case is not over with Love’s release. FOX 13 reported that he could face another jail sentence if he does not quickly provide updated financial documents.
Love remains especially recognizable to many viewers as the Gimbels manager in the 2003 Will Ferrell Christmas comedy Elf. His other credits include Friday, The Replacements, Couples Retreat and Blue Crush.