VANCOUVER - Actor Randy Quaid alleges there's a conspiracy to kill him and several other troubled Hollywood stars in order to gain control of their millions.
In a bizarre speech to reporters outside the Vancouver immigration office where he's attempting to gain permission to live in Canada, Quaid said Lindsay Lohan and Britney Spears have been victims of a similar conspiracy.
The actor who was arrested by border officials in Vancouver last week said he and his wife aren't criminals, fugitives from justice or crazy.
On Thursday, the actor claimed that for the last 20 years he and his wife Evi have been the victims of criminal activities by people who are out to destroy them personally, professionally and financially.
He became emotional as he told reporters that in the last five years eight actors he's known have been murdered.
"We believe there to be a malignant tumour of star whackers in Hollywood," he said, naming Heath Ledger, Chris Penn and David Carradine as some of their victims.
Ledger died in 2008 of an accidental overdose of prescription drugs. An autopsy said 40-year-old Penn died in 2006 of heart disease and the official cause of Carradine's death last year was accidental asphyxiation.
"I believe these actors were whacked and I believe many others, such as Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Mel Gibson are being played to get at their money," Quaid told a crush of reporters.
He said about $40 million of his earnings have been stolen from him.
"I am being embezzled by this monstrous ring of accountants, estate planners and lawyers who are mercilessly slandering me and trying to kill my career and, I believe, murder me in order to gain control of my royalties."
Quaid and his wife Evi were arrested on an outstanding U.S. warrant for allegedly damaging a home they once owned in Montecito, Calif. In September 2009, the Quaids were accused of skipping out on a $10,000 hotel bill, but felony charges were dropped when Evi Quaid made a plea deal on a misdemeanour offence.
"Up until a year ago, Evi and I had never had any run-in with the law, whatsoever. We are not criminals, nor are we fugitives from justice, nor are we crazy," Quaid said. "We are simply artists and filmmakers who are being racketeered on."
Both the Quaids were held in custody until Wednesday when their lawyer discovered Evi can lay claim to Canadian citizenship. Both had claimed refugee status.
Their lawyer, Catherine Sas, said Randy may abandon the claim and could still remain in Canada on a work permit, as a permanent resident or any number of other opportunities.
Sas said the couple had posted cash bonds in connection to the U.S. charges and the warrants for their arrest have been dismissed.
The Quaids are due in court in Santa Barbara next week, and Sas said the couple will attend if necessary.
"My client is intending to comply with the law in both jurisdictions and we are going to spend the next couple of days strategizing about how to achieve that."
The actor is best known for roles in films such as "Independence Day" and "National Lampoon's Vacation." He was nominated for an supporting-actor Oscar in the 1973 movie "The Last Detail," featuring Jack Nicholson.
At the end of his statement Thursday, Quaid made a pitch to producers in Canada.
"I would like to announce my availability and desire to (work) immediately — legally of course."