Faizon Love, the 58-year-old actor-comedian best known for his role in the holiday classic 'Elf,' has been released from prison after being arrested on two counts of contempt of court in Hillsborough County, Florida. He was booked in Tampa following a court appearance where he admitted to struggling with homelessness and poverty.
Arrest and Child Support Details
According to Complex, Love was initially detained in California, where he served a 16-day sentence before being transferred to Florida. The arrest stemmed from unpaid child support owed to his ex-partner, Tiffany Lee. On June 11, during a declaration of paternity case, Lee disclosed that Love had accumulated $250,000 in unpaid child support. She stated that Love failed to adhere to court-ordered payments and recalled him claiming she “wasn’t going to get a dime.” Lee also highlighted Love’s stated intention of never working again to avoid making payments.
Love’s Defense and Financial Struggles
In response, Love told Fox 13 that Lee and her attorney were portraying him as the complete villain in the situation. He argued that his income was too low to continue paying $2,500 per month in child support. Facing homelessness and poverty, Love reportedly relies on annual royalty checks from 'Elf,' which amount to approximately $10,000 each year. “He was homeless. He lived in his car,” Love's attorney said during the hearing, as reported by the outlet, before adding, “That's how the mighty have fallen.” According to TMZ, Love’s highest annual gross income in the last five years was $13,000, and his total income in 2025 was zero dollars.
Court Proceedings and Future Hearing
The judge set July 1, 2026, as the date for Love to reveal his financial statements, which will be used to determine his ability to pay the child support. The case highlights the financial difficulties faced by the actor, who has seen a significant decline in income despite his past success in films like 'Money Talks' and 'Couples Retreat.'
