'Elf' and 'Couples Retreat' Star Is Being Held in a Florida Jail with No Bond

Faizon Love, the actor best known as the grumpy Gimbels' store manager from Elf, or the exhausted older partner of the fun-loving Trudy in Couples Retreat, has found himself in jail.

Love was arrested in Hillsborough County, Florida, on contempt-of-court charges. According to CBS 12 News, he was arrested on June 16 and booked into Tampa's Falkenburg Road jail without bond.

Inside the $250,000 Child Support Dispute

On June 19, he attended a two-hour court hearing regarding child support. After arriving in a wheelchair, WTSP reported that his attorney insisted on his release, telling the judge that keeping him locked up would hurt his reputation and make it even harder for him to make money.

Tiffany Lee, the mother of his child, says that he owes $250,000 in back child support payments. When he was asked whether he could pay $2,500 per month in child support, Love claimed he couldn't. The actor's lawyers said that he doesn't have a permanent home or savings account. They also said that he drives a 27-year-old vehicle and can't afford to pay most of his expenses without help.

A History of Legal Troubles and Assault Charges

Love has had several run-ins with law enforcement in the past several years. After getting busted on camera assaulting a valet at the John Glenn Columbus International Airport in 2017, he pleaded no contest. He paid a $500 fine and received a 180-day suspended jail sentence.

In 2009, Love was arrested for felony assault. According to TMZ, he was rejected at the door of LA's Standard Hotel nightclub. After arguing with a group of women, he punched the man who was standing by them.

In 2025, the Los Angeles Times reported that he was being sued for assault and battery by Elizabeth Renderos. In her lawsuit, Renderos said that she was working the front desk at a Sheraton Hotel in San Diego when Love tried to check in. When she informed him that the hotel was fully booked, she alleged that he threw a credit card machine at her, hitting her in the head. The case is ongoing.

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This story was originally published June 19, 2026 at 12:13 PM.