Skip to main content

Oscar-nominated actor Randy Quaid and his wife Evi have missed a mandatory court hearing in California and face the prospect of losing a $50,000 bond on Ms. Quaid.

Their Vancouver lawyer on Tuesday acknowledged the possible financial hit to the couple, who have said they are in Vancouver to elude "Hollywood star whackers" out to strip Mr. Quaid of his assets and murder the actor, featured in such movies as Independence Day, Days of Thunder and Brokeback Mountain.

But Catherine Sas said she is hopeful of working things out to save her clients from the cost.

"My understanding is that should Ms. Quaid comply and return to the jurisdiction in a short order, it's possible to just reinstate the bond and nobody takes a hit," Ms. Sas said. "It's possible."

The Quaids were arrested on outstanding warrants in Vancouver last month, and declared they were seeking refugee status in Canada.

They were supposed to be in court in Santa Barbara on Tuesday to face charges including felony vandalism over their arrest while living in the guest home of a property they once owned.

There was a $500,000 bond each for the couple. Tony Davis, the deputy district attorney for Santa Barbara, reviewing court documents on the file, said the actual exposure for the couple was $50,000 for each bond, with a bail bonds company making up the difference. The judge handling the issue in Santa Barbara Tuesday also issued an arrest warrant against Ms. Quaid.

A lawyer for Mr. Quaid told the court on Tuesday his client had to remain in Canada for a Nov. 8 hearing related to his refugee claim, but would be back to deal with the issues on Nov. 16. For that reason, the judge effectively continued the bond until then.

But Ms. Quaid's bond is at issue.

She has been declared a de facto Canadian due to family links to Canada, leaving Mr. Quaid to pursue a refugee claim.

Ms. Sas has said all options are on the table for resolving the complicated immigration issues in the case, including the possibility that Mr. Quaid might seek to stay in Canada through his marriage.

"All of those things continue to be out there," said Ms. Sas, adding that Tuesday's ruling provides some time to deal with them. "We have breathing room that we didn't have before, so now we can fully pursue the other options."

She said her clients were doing well.

"They're in positive spirits. They're looking at all their opportunities," she said. "Mr. Quaid - he's complying with all the legal requirements of him and we hope to resolve things for Mrs. Quaid, in short order, down in Santa Barbara."

Follow related authors and topics

Authors and topics you follow will be added to your personal news feed in Following.

Interact with The Globe