Christina Ricci files divorce after domestic battery call, restraining order against husband James Heerdegen
Christina Ricci and her producer husband James Heerdegen are separating according to reports that claimed the 40-year-old actress has filed for divorce. ‘The Addams Family' (1991) star cited irreconcilable differences in the divorce paperwork she filed in Los Angeles on Thursday morning, July 2.
TMZ reported Ricci has also demanded sole legal and physical custody of their five-year-old son, Freddie. The report said that there was no prenup but the actress was the main money earner. Divorce attorney Samantha Spector is representing Ricci in the case. Spector is the same lawyer who is also handling Nicole Young's divorce from Dr. Dre.
The news of the divorce came a day after reports claimed that Ricci was granted an emergency protective order against Heerdegen. It has been said that the emergency protective order was given after the Los Angeles Police Department responded to a call to the actress’ Woodland Hills, California, home on June 25. The ‘Sleepy Hollow’ star alleged that her husband had spit on her. “On 06/25/20, around 9:20 a.m., officers responded to a domestic battery radio call,” police told Us Weekly, adding “a report was completed.”
According to reports, Ricci was previously engaged to Owen Benjamin from 2008 to 2009. However, after meeting Heerdegen in 2011 on the set of ABC's ‘Pan Am’, she tied the knot with the producer in October 2013. “It’s more overwhelming than I thought it would be. The rumors are true: wedding planning is overwhelming,” she said in May 2013 about her wedding plans. At the time, she also said that she was looking forward to motherhood. “I can’t wait to have our own little world replete with small beings!” Ricci said. The couple welcomed their son in 2014.
Besides, in recent years the ‘Casper’ star opened up about motherhood and how it has changed her over the years. “Marriage shows you your flaws in how you deal with things and having a child forces you to grow up at the speed of light. I’m a completely different person than I was before I had my child. Because I was so celebrated for being a child, I think I held onto that immaturity for a very long time. It was the thing that made me special. Then at a certain point, like 35, it’s not so special to be immature,” she told The Edit in 2017.
On the occasion of Father’s day on June 21, Ricci had posted a picture of a handmade card on her Instagram page. The card was reportedly made by the couple’s son. “We [heart emoji] you, Daddy! @jamesheerdegen [heart emoji],” the caption of the social media post read.
Ricci and Heerdegen became the latest celebrity couple after Young and Dr. Dre to file for divorce. Reports claimed Young filed for divorce from the American rapper on Monday, June 29, citing irreconcilable differences. She is also seeking spousal support. The couple was married for more than two decades, and share two children - a 23-year-old son, Truice, and a 19-year-old daughter, Truly.