Christina Ricci’s divorce from James Heerdegen was finalized in 2022, but tensions between the former spouses appear to be continuing, with Heerdegen now seeking an emergency court hearing related to their custody arrangement.
Heerdegen, the ex-husband of the 46-year-old actress, filed court papers claiming that their 11-year-old son, Frederick “Freddie” Heerdegen, recently contacted him and alleged that Ricci consumed alcohol during a June 16 flight to Canada.
Representatives for Ricci have been contacted for comment, but no response has yet been received.
However, according to the filings, Freddie later told his own legal representative that he had “overreacted” when he sent the text messages to his father.
Court documents submitted by the child’s counsel, and obtained by Daily Mail, also state that Freddie’s account of Ricci’s alleged alcohol consumption and subsequent behavior “was not as he had described.”
The filing further noted that Freddie expressed “no fear” about remaining in his mother’s custody.
Christina Ricci’s divorce from James Heerdegen was finalized in 2022, but the former couple’s custody dispute has remained contentious, with Heerdegen requesting an emergency hearing. The pair are pictured in February 2019.
Heerdegen claimed in court that their 11-year-old son, Freddie, contacted him with allegations about Ricci drinking during a June 16 flight to Canada. Ricci and her son are pictured in March 2025.
Heerdegen requested the Ricci get tested for alcohol but his request was ultimately denied.
The court went on to rule that any specific record of this incident that Heerdegen has intention of filing in the case must remain sealed from public access.
This came after Freddie’s council had noted ‘there is a real threat that public access to the statements and records may jeopardize the stability of Freddie’s mental health.’
Ricci and film producer Heerdegen famously had a very bitter divorce which was finally finalized in December 2022 as their split included domestic abuse allegations on both sides, restraining order, and an on-going custody battle.
At the time, they agreed to share joint custody of Freddie but it was agreed upon that Ricci would be the one making major decisions when it comes to anything medical or educational. She also has primary custody but they split physical custody.
As far as the assets, Ricci – who was represented by attorney Samantha Spector – kept her home in Los Angeles along with her money from acting but will ended up giving up a car and a one time-payment of $189,687 to Heerdegen according to the legal documents.
Ricci got her home in the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles while she split the money from the property sale in New York City.
The Addams Family star – who married second husband Mark Hampton in 2021 – kept all of the residuals and royalties for her work.
Ricci and film producer Heerdegen famously had a very bitter divorce which was finally finalized in December 2022 as their split included domestic abuse allegations on both sides, restraining order, and an on-going custody battle; they are seen in April 2019
The legal documents from 2022 also state there is also no spousal or child support but the actress will be paying for 100percent of private school and any other uncovered medical expenses for their son.
Ricci had originally filed for divorce in June 2020 as she cited irreconcilable differences, however, it was not exactly a smooth road to divorce as there were domestic abuse allegations on both sides and even a restraining order.
In April 2021, a custody agreement was signed off by a judge in the Los Angeles County Superior Court.
The agreement favored Ricci, allowing the actress custody of their son after she relocated to Vancouver, Canada to film a new project at the time. Heerdegen will have visitation rights.
Ricci had also agreed to pay ‘reasonable costs for travel and accommodations,’ which include ‘economy airfare’ for her ex. She also got to choose where he stayed during his visitation trips.
Months earlier, Ricci was granted a restraining order against Heerdegen in January 2021. He attempted to obtain his own restraining order later that month but was denied.
Heerdegen made shocking accusations while filing for a temporary restraining order, claiming his ex abuses alcohol and prescription drugs, making her a danger to their young son.
Heerdegen also claimed he had to check their son’s bottles of breast milk for fear of it being contaminated with alcohol she drank the night before.
His filing came just days after Ricci accused her estranged husband of physically abusing her.
Ricci went on to marry hair stylist Mark Hampton in October 2021 as they also share a four-year-old daughter named Cleopatra; the family are seen in Hollywood in March 2025
She said she had to hide knives in the house because she feared Heerdegen could kill her after he allegedly said he would only feel sorry for her if she was ‘dismembered into small pieces’.
A judge granted Ricci a domestic violence restraining order against Heerdegen in early January 2021, six months after she filed for divorce.
The couple married in 2013 after two years of dating. They met on the set of ABC’s Pan Am.
Ricci went on to marry hair stylist Mark Hampton in October 2021 as they also share a four-year-old daughter named Cleopatra.
