In a new interview with the New York Post, actor Laurence Fishburne’s mother, Hattie Fishburne, claims that she’s facing eviction from her LA apartment and can’t get in touch with her famous son.
According to the 80-year-old, despite cleaning out her savings account to help Laurence break into the business as a teen and eventually become one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, directors and producers, he hasn’t helped her financially over the years. She’s now in a bind where she can’t afford to pay her $1,500 a month rent with her pension and social security (which is $3,000 a month). The fact that her son, who is reportedly worth around $20 million, hasn’t offered to help or been in touch with her for quite some time is devastating to her.
“For 20 years, I funded my son’s career. He promised me he would take care of me. He promised me a house, a golden retriever, a calico cat. To this day, I have not got a Christmas present or a ‘Thank you, Mama’ present. He hasn’t given me a penny. I’m so hurt and disappointed.”
And this isn’t the first time Hattie has faced eviction due to financial struggles while trying to make it on her own. According to the Post, she claims that she was evicted from her Brooklyn home in 1994 and had to stay with a friend for two years before getting back on her feet.
When Laurence failed to help take care of her, Hattie continued working as teacher, doing so in New York and eventually in California before retiring in 2009. She claims that she is now not only financially struggling (“I can’t buy food, clothing and shelter, go to the theater”), but her health is not in a great place either. She has arthritis, high cholesterol, and an underactive thyroid she’s dealing with.
It’s unclear why the two aren’t on good terms, as the actor has lauded his mother in the past. They could have had a falling out that damaged their relationship. Whatever the reason, Hattie says she hasn’t spoken to him since his father, and her ex-husband, Laurence Fishburne Jr., passed away more than a year ago. Laurence has a history of cutting family off, as his daughter, Montana, said he hasn’t spoken to her since she unsuccessfully tried her hand at a career in pornography when she was 18.
But outside of his familial relationships, Laurence is doing well. He’s having major success as executive producer and co-star on the hit ABC show, Blackish, and he’s also starring in the NBC hit, Hannibal. He has quite a few jobs right now, and according to Hattie, he also has no time or desire to help her out: “He’s gone Hollywood!”
