Broadway and screen star Leslie Odom Jr. is facing legal heat from his father, Leslie Odom Sr., in an apparent family feud that has spilled over into court.
The Tony Award winner’s father accused his son of breach of contract and financial elder abuse, among other allegations, in a lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles County Superior Court. The complaint stems from the actor’s alleged failure to fulfill promises to buy his father a house, according to legal documents reviewed by The Times.
Leslie Odom Sr., who is described in the lawsuit as a retiree who lives in Los Angeles and South Carolina, has also filed a lawsuit against the 43-year-old “Hamilton” and “One Night in Miami…” star, on charges of intentionally causing a disturbance. Emotional. Among other accusations. “The performer failed to fulfill his obligations and engaged in behavior intended to intimidate and emotionally abuse [his father]The lawsuit says it caused financial loss and severe emotional distress.
Leslie Odom Jr. said Friday afternoon in a statement to The Times that the allegations are “devastating and baseless.”
“I provided years of extensive financial support to my parents,” he added. “I have no choice but to defend myself in court. I am confident that the truth will prevail.”
The legal complaint details several alleged instances where Leslie Odom Jrwhose career reached new heights after his award-winning performance in the original cast of Lin-Manuel Miranda’s “Hamilton,” he offered to buy his father a house. Leslie Odom Sr. has been living with his wife in a house in Philadelphia since 1993. According to the lawsuit, the Broadway star allegedly told his father in November 2018 that he wanted to buy him a house in a “better part” of Pennsylvania as a way to reward him “for being a great dad.”
The actor bought a house in Wyncote, Pennsylvania, and allegedly gave his father the keys and “told him the house was all his.” Under that impression, Leslie Odom Sr. sold his old Philadelphia home in April 2019 with the intention of living at the Wincott property until his retirement, the suit says. He claims in his lawsuit that his son “never transferred the Wincott property” into his name as he claimed.
The suit also says that in March 2019, the younger Odom asked his father to “pack up again” and move to Los Angeles to help care for the grandchildren. According to the lawsuit, Leslie Odom Sr. agreed, and his son allegedly promised to buy his father a house in Los Angeles. That same month, the When Croner Dies artist sold the Wincott House and gave his father no part of the house. The proceeds, the lawsuit says.
The lawsuit says that while in Los Angeles to care for his grandchildren, Leslie Odom Sr. lived in a house rented by his son, despite the latter’s alleged “assurances” that he would buy his father a house. The lawsuit says the rental situation was “a significant issue for Senior because he wanted stability and financial security in retirement.” Every year while living in Los Angeles, Leslie Odom Sr. would ask his son about buying a house in his name, but the actor allegedly “continued to avoid the question.”
Nearly three years later, the elder Odom raised the question again, and his son allegedly “threw a fit” and said he would drive his parents “anywhere they wanted to go and he would pay for it,” the lawsuit says. The elder Odom chose South Carolina and “transferred” in June 2024. Again, his son allegedly “failed to purchase a home there as promised,” the lawsuit states.
Leslie Odom Sr. “continued to demand” his son keep his promise regarding the South Carolina home, but the “Central Park” actor “became angrier” and then “engaged in a series of muscle-flexing intimidation tactics,” the complaint says. The lawsuit filed by the elder Odom accuses his son of directing him to “his people” and using “high-level lawyers” to write letters threatening legal action and telling him to stay away from his son. The lawsuit also accuses his son of hacking into his online accounts and cutting off contact with his grandchildren.
Leslie Odom Sr. claims in his lawsuit that the conflict with his son also strained his relationship with his wife. “Junior’s conduct has caused Senior financial and emotional harm, leaving him vulnerable during his retirement,” the complaint says.
He sued his son for general damages exceeding $2.5 million, special damages exceeding $750,000, legal fees, punitive damages and other remedies. A jury trial has been requested.
