U.S. actor Randy Quaid, who fled to Canada after claiming “Hollywood star-whackers” were hunting him, has been denied permanent resident status because he doesn’t have a passport, his wife said Sunday.
Evi Quaid said her husband is scheduled to be at the U.S. consulate in Toronto Feb. 6 to obtain his passport, which was seized by Canadian officials.
The actor can still appeal the decision in federal court, a government official -- who spoke on condition anonymity -- told the Associated Press Saturday.
Quaid and his wife’s legal troubles started in 2010 when they were arrested for causing more than $5,000 damage at a California home they were renting.
U.S. officials refused to seek extradition of the couple from Canada to face felony charges in Santa Barbara last year. However, local authorities said the pair will be arrested if they return to the U.S.
Quaid sought permanent resident status in Canada and claimed he was being sought by the so-called “Hollywood star-whackers.” He claimed the group killed actors David Carradine and Heath Ledger, and that they were his friends.
Quaid and his wife have maintained that the group is out to get them. The couple even created a docu-drama called “Star Whackers” that they screened at a Vancouver theatre in 2011.
The couple have been living in B.C, ever since they fled the U.S. in October 2010. The Quaids initially sought refugee status in Canada, saying they feared for their lives.
Later in 2011, Evi Quaid was granted citizenship because her father is Canadian. She applied to sponsor her husband for permanent residency.
Quaid, 62, has starred in a number of films during his career, including “Brokeback Mountain,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and “Independence Day.”
He won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of U.S. President Lyndon Johnson in the 1987 TV movie “LBJ: The Early Years.”
He is the older brother of actor Dennis Quaid.
With files from The Associated Press
