This Is How Randy Quaid Lost All Of His Money

Hollywood is packed with more famous celebrity siblings than we could count — the Olsen twins, the Hemsworth bros, and the Culkins, to name a few. But did you know Dennis Quaid isn't the only actor in his family? Yep, he's got two brothers who've dipped their toes into showbiz. And fun fact: his older brother Randy Quaid actually hit the big time first. But while Randy got the head start, he also managed to spiral spectacularly out of control, torpedoing his career and losing just about everything.

Make no mistake — Randy wasn't just Dennis' brother living in his shadow. He carved out a solid career in the '70s and beyond, with standout roles in projects like "Midnight Express," "Independence Day," and "The Paper." Of course, he's immortalized as Cousin Eddie, the eccentric relative everyone loves (or dreads) in "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." And don't let Dennis' star power fool you — Randy was rolling in cash too, reportedly raking in $1 million for the aforementioned holiday flick — the second "Vacation" film he starred in — and a cool $2.25 million for "Kingpin." He even snagged roles in critically acclaimed hits like "Brokeback Mountain," sharing the screen with Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger.

But then came the crash-and-burn era. His downfall started when he went after a film's producers, igniting a string of lawsuits and drama that sent his career spiraling. Randy's legal troubles then piled up, and his bank account took a nosedive, leaving him with a negative net worth and a reputation in tatters.

Randy Quaid's financial nosedive seems to have started in March 2006 when he took aim at the producers of "Brokeback Mountain" with a lawsuit. Randy, who played Joe Aguirre — the rancher who hires Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal's characters — claimed he'd been grossly underpaid for his role. Sure, it wasn't a lead part, but it was pretty pivotal. And Randy wasn't shy about letting everyone know he felt cheated. According to him, he initially accepted the lowball payment because he believed the film was nothing but a mere indie project. Imagine his surprise when the movie blew up into a box office sensation.

"I got paid zilch for my work on this film," he told Out Magazine. "The producers balked at paying me my usual salary, crying poor-mouth, that it wasn't a studio picture, all that kind of blather ... Eight months later I'm looking at three-page color ads and a multimillion dollar marketing campaign and hundreds of millions of dollars in box office revenue." When Randy tried to renegotiate for what he felt was his "real" salary, he claimed Focus Features' James Schamus shut him down completely.

Randy sued for $10 million in damages, per The New York Times, but mysteriously dropped the case months later, claiming he'd reached a settlement. Focus Features had a very different take, denying any deal had been made. "The circumstances of him dropping the suit are as mysterious as the circumstances under which he filed his claim," they noted in a statement (via Deadline). "Focus Features never negotiated, offered or agreed to any settlement agreement with Mr. Quaid or his attorneys, but we are happy to put this behind us, and do wish Mr. Quaid all the best."

As of this writing, Randy Quaid's reported net worth sits at a staggering negative $1 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth, and his financial troubles seem rooted in a series of legal battles and questionable decisions that have plagued him for years. After his infamous spat with the "Brokeback Mountain" producers in 2006, Randy's next fight was with the Actors' Equity Association in 2008, which fined him $81,572 for allegedly inflicting verbal and physical harm on his castmates in a stage production. Unsurprisingly, Randy denied the allegations, with a source calling them "ludicrous" and the proceedings a "kangaroo court," according to a source for the New York Post.

It didn't stop there, of course. Randy's troubled life with his second wife, Evi (who was also accused of misconduct during the stage production), was very Bonnie and Clyde-esque. In 2009, CBS News reported that the couple was arrested for allegedly skipping out on a $10,000 hotel bill in California. The following year, they were squatting in a guesthouse they used to own, insisting the property had been stolen through some shady transfer. This led to burglary charges, per The Hollywood Reporter.

The couple then fled to Canada in 2010, seeking asylum and claiming they were targets of a Hollywood conspiracy. While Evi scored Canadian citizenship through her lineage, Randy wasn't so lucky — his application for permanent residency was denied. Five years later, facing deportation, the couple re-entered the U.S. via Vermont, where they were detained. A Vermont judge found discrepancies in the California case and voided the extradition request, releasing the Quaids without conditions. "It's a very big relief to have been vindicated to a great extent," Randy told ABC News at the time. Vindicated, maybe. But broke? Definitely.

While Randy Quaid's finances are in the red, his younger brother, Dennis Quaid, is sitting comfortably on the other end of the spectrum. With Celebrity Net Worth noting that he has an estimated net worth of $30 million, Dennis is reportedly raking in $150,000 per TV episode and pulling down $1 to $4 million annually. And honestly, it's not hard to see why. He's one of Hollywood's most enduring stars, with iconic roles in "The Rookie," "A Dog's Purpose," "The Right Stuff," and of course, everyone's favorite, "The Parent Trap."

Dennis doesn't just stick to the big screen, either. In 2020, he ventured into podcasting with "The Pet Show with Dennis Quaid and Jimmy Jellinek." And because two careers apparently aren't enough, he also moonlights as a musician. His gospel album, "Fallen: A Gospel Record for Sinners," dropped in 2023 and features a mix of original tracks. Oh, and it's also worth mentioning that Dennis boasts a solid real estate portfolio that includes a sprawling ranch in Montana.

Still, acting remains his main gig — and he's not slowing down. Despite being well into his golden years, Dennis is more energized than ever about his craft. "What really interested me is what makes people tick. I learn from everything I do, and I learn a little bit more about people and who we are," he told Next Avenue. "In fact, I'm more fascinated by acting now than I was when I started."

Despite Randy Quaid's Hollywood disappearance, Dennis Quaid remains his brother's biggest cheerleader. During an August 2024 appearance on the "PBD Podcast," Dennis opened up about his longing to have a closer relationship with Randy and his hope for a career resurgence. "Randy doesn't like me to talk about what's going on with him. All I can say is that I really love my brother, and I miss my brother," he said, adding, "Randy could have like a great third act. ... I would love to see that. He's one of the best actors [that we've] produced in this country."

As it turns out, Randy might just be eyeing that third act Dennis is rooting for. In 2023, he surprised fans by attending Christmas Con and reuniting with the cast of "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation." And in November 2024, he made his big-screen return in "The Christmas Letter" alongside Angus Benfield and Chevy Chase. According to the film's executive producer, Ruth Benfield, Randy was a dream to work with. "[Randy] was the nicest guy you could possibly imagine — genuine, kind and incredibly professional. He learned people's names on set. He was patient and worked a long day in the snow and in shorts," she told NewsChannel 2. "His scenes are full of hilarious moments ... He was truly a joy to work with." Hey, maybe Cousin Eddie's best days aren't entirely behind him!