Times are hard: 'Broke' Brendan Fraser fights to reduce alimony and child support payments to ex-wife



He's one of Hollywood's most recognisable stars, with a number of forthcoming films in the pipeline.

But despite Brendan Fraser's attempt to revamp his career, he is currently in the process of trying to reduce his alimony and child support payments to ex-wife Afton Smith.

The 'broke' actor, who made his name in The Mummy films, has pleaded with Connecticut court to reduce his annual payments of $900,000 (£562,500), claiming that he can no longer afford them.

Fighting to reduce alimony: Actor Brendan Fraser is trying to reduce the annual payment that he makes to his ex-wife and children, after admitting that he can no longer afford it (pictured with ex wife Afton in 1999)

The Canadian-American actor, whose divorce from Afton was only settled in 2009 has insisted that he cannot cover the costs that he originally agreed to.

According to The New York Post, his wife of nine years is claiming that her ex-husband is hiding money from her despite his protestations that he's just not earning enough money anymore.

Happier times: The couple, who met in 1993, were married for nine years before announcing their divorce in 2007

Leading man: Brendan made his name as the lead in The Mummy films, opposite Rachel Weisz

The US paper also reports that the 44-year-old listed a number of 'medical issues' to the court, blaming them for his inability to earn as much as he used to.

Lagging career: Brendan pictured at the Hamptons International Film Festival, New York, in October 2012

The Blast From The Past actor has three children with Afton, who he met at barbeque thrown by Winona Rider in 1993, and currently pays child support.

After setting the process of reducing the payments in motion, Brendan is expected to take to the stand to testify at Stamford Superior Court later this month.

According to reports, the actor is also locked in another court battle with producer Todd Moyer, who is suing him for an alleged physical attack last year.

This comes after Brendan filed a lawsuit against Todd early last year after allegedly delaying production on a film that he was supposed to star in.

Brendan will be returning to the big screen this year after a hiatus, after filming roles in Gimme Shelter Vanessa Hudgens and A Case Of You with Sam Rockwell.