Ioan Gruffudd’s income has reportedly plummeted from a substantial $585,000 a year to just $125,000 due to the damaging effects of his ex-wife Alice Evans’ “malicious and slanderous” actions, his lawyer claimed in a Los Angeles court on Wednesday.
The actor, known for his role in Fantastic Four, is fighting to end the spousal support payments he currently makes to Evans, who he divorced in 2021 after 14 years of marriage. Evans, 57, is seeking an increase in the monthly payments from $1,500 to $1,862, citing the original pre-marital agreement.
In a fierce legal battle, Gruffudd’s lawyer, Joseph Langlois, told the court that Evans’ “five-year campaign of false narratives” had severely impacted her ex-husband’s career and reputation. “Alice has tried to ruin his career, and she succeeded,” Langlois stated. He pointed to Evans’ repeated violations of a restraining order, accusing her of posting derogatory and damaging comments on social media about Gruffudd and his current wife, Australian actress Bianca Wallace.
Langlois argued that Evans’ online harassment, which included more than 20,000 negative posts over five years, had “calculatedly” aimed to destroy Gruffudd’s public image. “His reputation as an actor has been irreparably damaged,” Langlois said. He further emphasized that Gruffudd’s finances had suffered as a direct result of Evans’ actions, causing him to struggle with basic expenses, including borrowing money to pay for daily necessities.
The income drop, according to Langlois, is directly linked to Evans’ campaign of abuse, which, Langlois argued, has “emotionally and economically devastated” Gruffudd and his new wife. He went on to describe how Gruffudd’s acting career, which had once seen him earning hundreds of thousands of dollars annually, now faces a major setback, with his income now reduced to a fraction of what it once was.
“Once that reputation is ruined, it’s practically impossible to recover,” Langlois said, adding that the emotional scars from Evans’ abuse had been significant. Gruffudd, who had worked for years to establish himself as a respected actor, is now struggling to rebuild both his personal and professional life.
Evans’ lawyer, Janina Verano, countered that Gruffudd’s reduction in income was not linked to her client’s actions and opposed the termination of spousal support. She argued that Evans was not the sole cause of the actor’s financial troubles and pointed out that Evans had made efforts to work, earning around $42,000 per year from guest appearances and attending conventions related to her past TV roles.
Evans, who is currently working with 100 percent custody of their children, has faced challenges in finding acting work in Los Angeles, where opportunities have been scarce. Verano noted that Evans, now 57, finds it difficult to re-enter the workforce at her age.
The ongoing legal battle has revealed the complex and bitter dynamics between the former couple. Gruffudd, 52, claims that Evans’ actions have led to a dramatic financial decline, and he is fighting to end the spousal support, arguing that he has already overpaid her by $359,000 since their split. Meanwhile, Evans is asking for an increase in the support payments, citing her financial struggles and inability to work consistently in the entertainment industry.
With Gruffudd’s personal and professional life now in turmoil, his legal team is pressing for a conclusion that would free him from his financial obligations to his ex-wife, while Evans is determined to secure a higher monthly payment. The judge will ultimately decide whether to end or increase Gruffudd’s spousal support payments in the coming months.
Source: Daily Mail
