Christina Ricci's Estranged Husband Tries To File 'Dueling' Restraining Order After Judge Grants Her One, But Gets Denied

A judge has denied a restraining order request filed by actor Christina Ricci’s estranged husband, shortly after one she filed against him was granted. 

Ricci had filed a domestic violence restraining order against James Heerdegen on Wednesday, and it was granted by a judge later that day, according to legal documents provided to Oxygen.com by the actor’s lawyer, Samantha Spector. The request alleged Ricci suffered "physical and emotional abuse" by Heerdegen and included "photographic evidence of multiple injuries she sustained as a result of three separate incidents since December 2019 and the parties’ separation in 2020."

By Friday, Heerdegen had filed his own request for a restraining order in court, claiming that it was Ricci who was the abuser. The request, obtained by Oxygen.com, was denied the same day, with the presiding judge noting there was no basis for an emergency order before the estranged couple’s next court hearing in March. 

Ricci’s legal team had filed an opposition to Heerdegen's request for a restraining order on Friday.

“There is no acceptable excuse for the chronic physical abuse James perpetrated on Christina, and [his] ‘dueling’ request for a domestic violence restraining order is nothing more than a contemptible and craven, blame-the-victim litigation tactic by a chronic abuser who believes that by sliming his victim, he will somehow evade the consequences of his actions,” their filing states.

Following Ricci’s restraining order filing, Heerdegen’s attorney Larry Bakman stated they would be filing their own "detailing her abusive conduct fueled by alcohol and substance abuse," as noted in court paperwork obtained by Oxygen.com.

"Mr. Heerdegens' papers will also reflect Ricci's attempts at coercive control through the use of the couple's six-year-old son. Unfortunately, Ms. Ricci has a propensity to utilize the child as a pawn in order to punish and control James," Bakman stated.

Photo: Samantha Spector

Ricci's original request for a restraining order detailed years of alleged emotional and physical abuse and included photographs of bruises. She claimed she feared for her life and the life of their son.

Following Wednesday’s approved order, Heerdegen must stay 100 yards away from Ricci and their dog, and he has been banned from visitation rights with their son.

"Christina will not be intimidated by Mr. Heerdegen and his barrage of misleading claims – and she remains determined to protect her family," Spector told Oxygen.com in a statement.

Ricci had originally cited irreconcilable differences when she filed for divorce in July after seven years of marriage, ET Online previously reported.

Ricci rose to fame in the 1990s while acting as a child in “The Addams Family” and “Casper.” Heerdegen works in film production, notably serving as a dolly grip on Oscar winner “Birdman or (The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance).”