The “Mummy’’ movies made him one of the world’s highest-paid actors, but Brendan Fraser suggests that he couldn’t land a job afterward.
His ex-wife isn’t buying it.
In Connecticut court last week, Fraser’s ex, Afton Smith, 45, accused the 44-year-old star of “fraud” for making the claim while allegedly hiding $9 million in new film contracts when they settled their divorce in February 2009.
The allegation came after Fraser went to court to try to reduce the $900,000 in alimony and child support he annually pays his 45-year-old ex-wife, insisting he no longer earns enough to justify that amount.
Court records and testimony reveal that, at the time of his split from the lesser-known actress, Fraser bizarrely claimed that he expected to make $0 — that’s zero dollars — from acting work in the future, despite an impressive résumé of high-grossing films including the three “Mummy” flicks, “Journey to the Center of the Earth” and “George of the Jungle.”
He later claimed he said that because he wasn’t aware of any definite future deals at the time.
Fraser acknowledged he since has acted in several movies — some of which are awaiting release.
But he cited a litany of medical issues that he says have put a “considerable” crimp on his ability to earn future big bucks.
Afton’s lawyer noted that, as of December, the actor had $24.7 million in assets.
Hearings in the legal sequel to Fraser’s nine-year marriage to Afton — with whom he has three young sons — are set to resume in Stamford Superior Court next week, with Fraser still on the witness stand.