'Unrecognizable' Randy Quaid Became Homeless While Brother Dennis Is a Millionaire with 3 Kids — Their Different Lives

• The famous Quaid brothers stem from an all-American upbringing but have widely been compared by the different lifestyles they had chosen to lead.
• Randy Quaid found himself in many difficult circumstances—at one point, he was homeless and living as a fugitive.
• On the other hand, Dennis Quaid has lived an incredibly successful work and personal life, reaching millionaire status from his projects and raising a happy family of three, one of whom became a star.

Dennis and Randy Quaid were born and raised in Houston, Texas, by their parents, Juanita Bonniedale Jordan, a real estate agent, and William Rudy Quaid, an electrician. The brothers grew up in a suburban city named Bellaire on Maple Street, which according to Dennis, was a great place to live.

Attending Horn Elementary, Pershing Middle School, and Bellaire High School, Dennis remembered enjoying youthful pastimes at school, like swimming at Evergreen Pool, playing Little League Baseball, and bike riding with friends to Meyerland Plaza. Dennis' childhood was a charming life where he experienced happiness and joy in an ideal environment.

Dennis remembers his childhood upbringing and place of origin very fondly; he remarked on how the community was tight-knit and all about safety, where "everyone looked out for each other." On a trip back home in 2017, the "Frequency" actor described just how family-oriented the suburb of Bellaire was:

"Growing up in this town was the most beautiful childhood experience to have. Walk three blocks to school, go to Evergreen Pool; we were always on our bikes, [and] we were always just kids. Bellaire was all about kids and families - really great families - a great place to grow up, and all-American upbringing, really."

As brothers who grew up in the same place and the same home, Dennis and Randy's experiences differed. While Dennis has recounted nothing but positive and happy memories from his childhood, there are certain instances where the same may not be able to translate to some of what Randy experienced as a child.

According to the "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation" star, he tragically experienced sexual assault at the tender age of 5. In a tweet posted on November 2, 2017, he revealed that a neighbor had taken advantage of him and threatened his life had he refused to cooperate.

Randy recounted this unfortunate incident and revealed the perpetrator who was fourteen at the time. The "Midnight Express" actor detailed the trauma he experienced, which he said was partially what led him to become an actor in the first place:

"The trauma from the experience probably had something to do with me becoming an actor. Immersing myself in a character is a means of channeling the rage, removing me from myself, essentially allowing me to utilize the emotional baggage that's piled up inside through the years."

He then went on to say how coming forward with his truth had helped him start to heal many of the scars he left unattended. Randy also felt compelled to share his story in solidarity with other victims of the #MeToo movement.

Outside of the trauma Randy endured when he was five, the "Independence Day" star lived a good life with his parents and younger brother Dennis. In 1980, he married former model Ella Jolly, and the couple had their daughter, Amanda Marie Quaid, in 1983.

The pair separated in 1986 and eventually divorced in 1989. Following their divorce, Randy went on to marry film director Evi Motolanez (now Quaid) the same year his divorce was finalized.

Outside of being a film star, Randy is also Amanda's supportive and loving father. While not giving away too much about their bond, out of respect for her dad's private nature, the now 33-year-old actress reports how both parents supported her in pursuing acting:

"I was certainly supported by both of my parents to do whatever I wanted to do. But probably being around it made it seem like a viable option in a way that a lot of kids may not see it as a viable option."

When it comes to setting the "golden standard" as an older sibling to clear a path forward for younger siblings to forge ahead, Randy was center stage in being a source of inspiration for his younger brother, Dennis. Interestingly, Dennis was inspired to pursue roles partly because of Randy's already-acquired success.

Before his stardom started, Dennis considered himself a "skinny and shy" teenager who actually considered becoming a veterinarian and studying at Texas A&M University. However, after failing to make the Bellaire High football team, he developed an affinity for the school's drama department, where he found his passion for acting.

After graduating from High school, Dennis attended the University of Houston (UH), where shortly after, he decided to drop out before completing his degree. While at UH, he took an acting class taught by a Professor named Cecil Pickett, where he became deadset on pursuing acting professionally.

Inspired by his brother's already successful career, Dennis then moved to Los Angeles to pursue his film career. After experiencing difficulty landing roles, his career finally gained momentum after earning his breakout debut as Mike in the 1979 film, "Breaking Away."

Randy's Tough Life

Randy's acting career was one that many other entertainers only hope to elicit when trying to make it in Hollywood. The "Kingpin" talent had worked alongside great legends like Jack Nicholson, Marlon Brando, and Hal Ashby, to name a few, and built up a highly accomplished resume that spans over 100 acting credits, notable awards, and highly-grossing films.

Despite his hugely successful career, his status as a "Hollywood heavy hitter" has been eclipsed by multiple arrests, unsavory circumstances, and his "wild conspiracy theories." Most of Randy's relatives and friends have linked Randy's fall from Hollywood to his marriage to Evi Quaid.

Randy and Evi initially met on the set of "Bloodhounds of Broadway." The now film director was a 24-year-old model and production assistant at the time and had the job of picking up and driving actors to set.

On the day she was scheduled to pick up Randy, the two ended up getting lost and winded up at a Chinese restaurant, where Randy proposed to Evi immediately.

In 1989, the couple purchased a home for $1.35 million in Montecito, California. Two years later, the pair sold their house, which according to multiple sources, was the beginning of the downward spiral that followed shortly after.

Though the couple lived relatively quiet lives throughout the 90s, trouble began brewing in the early 2000s. The couple had started causing problems for neighbors by being obtrusively loud in certain instances, one of which involved the 2006 dispatch of police to their residence.

Another bizarre incident involved Evi's disrespectful behavior and unlawful conduct in which she had sent a nude picture of herself holding paraphernalia to production higher-ups of a Broadway musical that Randy was a part of in 2007.

In 2009, after skipping out on a $10,000 bill at the San Ysidro Ranch Hotel, the couple got arrested after a complaint was lobbied by the hotel. After paying a $20,000 bond, the Quaids skipped five court dates following the complaint.

Shortly after the grand success of "Brokeback Mountain," in which Randy won an award for Outstanding Performance, he started exhibiting bizarre behavior unlike him. The "Independence Day" actor ended up suing Focus Films for "intentionally misrepresenting" the film as a "low-budget art house film," and he claimed that the production company had done so to try and book him at a significantly reduced rate. Randy's request for $10 million was denied, and the lawsuit was dropped.

In 2008, Randy was hit with a lawsuit for verbally and physically abusing fellow cast members and producers during the run of a Seattle theatrical production.

After losing most if not all of their assets, including their cars, the Quaids alleged to be "on the run" for their lives because of a belief that a group called "The Hollywood Star Whackers" was out to get them. The couple hired a private investigator, Becky Altringer, to find out who they believed was trying to kill them.

With Randy essentially always on the run and living as a fugitive, Dennis reportedly has not spoken with his brother in over 18 years, and sources have stated that the two are not close at all.

In 2009, when the couple had "nowhere else to go," they sought refuge from Altringer, who let them stay with her. However, shortly after another bout of strange and weird behavior, Altringer said that she kicked them out but then rented them a mobile home:

"They had no car - all their cars were repossessed. I kicked them out on June 27 [and] then Evi went nuts. Three weeks they rented a mobile home from me - it was my partner's mom's - after we kicked them out of our house. She woke up in the morning and said the mob was here - they have chainsaws and shovels; they're going to bury us. I said, Evi, that's the gardener."

Altringer describes how Evi's dog would constantly drive her crazy and how Evi let the dog pee all over her house. Apparently, Evi would even take fancy roast dinners out for the dog to eat. Evi has denied the allegations made.

In 2010, Randy had tried to file a 220-page lawsuit that alleged that corrupt accountants and lawyers were using their previous 1991 house as some equity pit. Randy had stated that the couple never even sold the house in the first place and that it was still in their name. However, the suit was dismissed because of Randy's failure to produce the court fees required for the proceedings.

Later that same year, in September, the new owner of the Montecito mansion found the Quaids illegally "squatting" in the guesthouse. The owner also found $30,000 worth of damage done to the property.

Evi and Randy were arrested yet again but posted bail and fled to Vancouver, where they sought refuge as fugitives from the law. Shortly after they escaped to Canada, Randy's permanent stay status was denied by immigration officials.

The couple had left a wanted trail in their wake for the incident at their old residence. The exact charge was a "felony vandalism and misdemeanor unauthorized entry of a house."

Today, with a net worth of negative $1 million, it is primarily assumed that Randy's acting career is done, though "The Last Detail" star still maintains an active Twitter account. Fans of Randy have commented on many occasions how "unrecognizable" he is from the recent pictures he has posted to his Twitter feed.

Dennis Is A Happy Family Man

In stark contrast to his brother, Dennis has maintained his extraordinary track record of success in Hollywood. Best known for his roles in popular films like "The Day After Tomorrow," "Vantage Point," "Breaking Away," "The Parent Trap," "Soul Surfer," "The Rookie," and "The Right Stuff" to name a few, he is an Emmy Award-winning and two-time Golden Globe-nominated actor with a net worth of $40 million.

Dennis is also an accredited singer-songwriter who has released many songs with his band, The Sharks, and has toured various cities. As both an actor and a musician, Dennis has received nothing but stellar reviews, and in 2018, The Sharks released their debut album titled "Out of the Box."

Apart from having an ultra-successful career as an actor and musician, Dennis is also a loving father of three children he shares with two former ex-wives. Dennis and his second ex-wife, actress Meg Ryan, share Jack Quaid, his eldest son and the one who followed in his footsteps.

Jack has already built a name for himself in the industry, and his debut role was in "The Hunger Games," the franchise's first movie. Since 2012, he has acquired more than 40 credits in both film and television.

After divorcing Ryan, Dennis married Kimberly Quaid in 2004, and the two had twins, Thomas and Zoe Quaid, in 2007. Dennis has reportedly loved being a father to his three kids, and "The Parent Trap" star claims to have learned so much from them through the years:

"I love being a dad, and I'm good at it. Kids teach you about life, like how not to focus on yourself so much."

After Kimberly and Dennis divorced, Dennis married Laura Savoie, a certified public accountant and registered yoga instructor. The pair met in 2019 at a business event, and according to Dennis, it was "love at first sight." The two wed in June 2020, and though they keep a relatively private life, they have divulged certain things about their relationship.

Laura and Dennis have been spotted out together on numerous occasions. The couple has attended red-carpet events and even started a joint business venture launching their production company, Bonniedale Films. When speaking about his wife, Dennis relayed the following:

"Laura is the love of my life. We have the most incredible relationship."

Dennis and Randy, very apparently so, lead two completely different lives. With Randy essentially always on the run and living as a fugitive, Dennis reportedly has not spoken with his brother in over 18 years, and sources have stated that the two are not close at all.

In a brief interview with People magazine, Dennis was asked about the status of his relationship with his brother. The "Soul Surfer" actor had emphatically stated:

"I love my brother, [and] that's all I can say. I love my brother, and I miss my brother. That's all I'm going to say."

Though the two brothers may not be in contact with each other, they have continued to live their separate lives. Dennis continues to pursue movie roles, with upcoming film projects in the works, and Randy, though there has yet to be news of where his acting career stands today, maintains a presence on social media.