Celebrity Justice
Ex to "Scrubs" Star: Here's Why You're Dr. Cox

TMZ has learned, a "Scrubs" star has scrubbed his child support obligation because of the WGA strike.

John C. McGinley, who plays Dr. Cox on "Scrubs," was paying his ex-wife, Lauren Lambert, $9,000 a month in child support since their 2001 divorce. McGinley, whose 10-year-old son (with Lambert) has Down syndrome, has been praised for advocating Down syndrome research. But we've learned McGinley has told Lambert he has decided to cut his child support payments in half because of the writer's strike. Sources say he's told her it's "not fair" for him to pay his full obligation anymore because his show is not in production.

We're told Lambert is incensed, especially because McGinley, who is remarried with a child on the way, can afford "a big house in Malibu."

Sources say McGinley is supposed to pay half his monthly child support on the first of each month and the other half on the 15th. McGinley paid half on January 1 but paid nothing on the 15th and doesn't plan on it. Sources say Lambert may ask the judge to hold her ex in contempt.

McGinley's lawyer, Lynn Soodik, tells TMZ, "He's following the court order which allows him to reduce support if the show isn't being shot." But we've learned the court agreement states McGinley can reduce support only after "the final episode." The final episode is scheduled for the end of this season, so the fat lady hasn't sung.



Reader Comments

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31. If she has remarried and as soon as the other baby is born the payment amounts should decrease anyway. Thats how it is in New Zealand. Poor guy, totally agree with what he has done.

Posted at 8:39PM on Jan 17th 2008 by kiwigurl

32. #26 yeah but its not like shes a commoner like you and I? I'm sure her new husband earns enough to support her and the child, she lives in a Malibu mansion...

Posted at 8:45PM on Jan 17th 2008 by kiwigurl

33. I thought I read somewhere that his son is autistic. I see nothing wrong with reduced payments when one is out of work. Us regular folk are allowed that, why not the more well-off. Hope they get back to filming Scrubs soon--great show!

Posted at 8:46PM on Jan 17th 2008 by ReneeNW

34. How in the hell did more people vote for John's side than Lauren's? What is this world coming to? So now it's ok for a father to weasel his way out of providing support for his own child just because his show isn't on the air right now? That's not even natural...a parent wanting to take away what little they can give the child, who has friggin' down syndrome, without being able to physically care for the child themselves.

I have a feeling it has a lot to do with the fact that, A) Mostly men voted for John (typical), and B) The people who take John's side have a little trouble separating him from the roles he plays on screen. They're actors, they're supposed to act a certain way and we're supposed to believe that's who they are, at least for the duration of the show or movie.

This guy is loaded and there's no reason he should deprive his child on a legal technicality.

Posted at 8:49PM on Jan 17th 2008 by Morgan

35. While I agree anyone should be able to live on 4500 a month..... If you get 9000 every month like clockwork and then all of a sudden with no real warning you only get half that may leave anyone a wee bit pissed. I for one couldnt just ignore 4500 dollar cut in pay. As for her being a dead beat... here is the thing .. they made that baby together and then together they decided she would take care of the child 24/7 while the father got to have a life and a new wife and in return she gets paid.. well there is no bigger, harder more challenging job I know of.

Posted at 8:48PM on Jan 17th 2008 by pohono

36. #25..."kiwigurl" She's not the one remarried with a child on the way, HE is!

Posted at 8:51PM on Jan 17th 2008 by Morgan

37. The man is totally despicable. I don't care what his reason...he has a special needs child. He has been ordered to pay...and I am sure he would like to forget this child.....especially since he has a new wife and a new child on the way. I will not watch Scrubs when it returns to the air. And I hope the courts hold him in contempt. How does anyone with a conscious do something like that??? You have my sympathy Lauren...

Posted at 8:58PM on Jan 17th 2008 by Donna

38. If he isn't currently working he should not have to pay the full amount, he still has bills etc to pay as well

Posted at 9:07PM on Jan 17th 2008 by hinura

39. I'm lucky if I get any money for child support let alone $9000 a month!!

Posted at 1:25PM on Jan 18th 2008 by myasmommy

40. he is as selfish and self-absorbed and arrogant as the character he plays, if not moreso. hopefully his bad karma will catch up with him. lauren is a gem.

Posted at 9:23PM on Jan 17th 2008 by someone who knows them

41. "Scrubs" has been canceled. McGinley lost his job. Why all the criticism?

Posted at 9:16PM on Jan 17th 2008 by ruf

42. Who knows what else he is doing for his son? Perhaps he has insurance, etc. And he obviously also has his son at least part of the time as well. He doesn't sound like a deadbeat to me, and I've seen enough articles about how much he loves his son.

Posted at 9:44PM on Jan 17th 2008 by DP

43. #31 opps my bad, sorry did not read the story properly.

Posted at 9:34PM on Jan 17th 2008 by kiwigurl

44. Gee...I wish I got the 454 a month my ex is SUPPOSED to pay for 3 kids....I dont see any child, even a special needs kid requiring 9000 a month. Sounds like a gold-digger to me.

Posted at 9:38PM on Jan 17th 2008 by Anonymous

45. What the hell happened to GARNISHMENT of wages? If the court granted the 9K a month on child support, the kid is entitled to it!!!! Especially if he is severely disabled. I just don't get these people...

Posted at 9:38PM on Jan 17th 2008 by powerhouse

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