>>>
this morning actor
nicolas cage
is making news for an off screen altercation that left him in handcuffs in new orleans.
>> reporter:
for actor
nicolas cage
this was the end of a hard night in the
big easy
, an awkward mug shot after being arrested for domestic abuse, battery and
disturbing the peace
. according to the
police report
late friday evening a heavily intoxicated cage was in the street arguing with his wife in the new orleans frieench quarters when he grabbed her by the
upper arm
and then began striking vehicles. it may have been cage's mouth that ultimately got him in trouble. according to the website tmz police initially told the actor to just go home. the combative cage responded, why can don't you just arrest me? and they did.
>>
cage at worst is looking at jail time for these charges. more likely it's the kind of situation where the court if they found him guilty would give him probation.
>> reporter:
it wouldn't be the first time cage has had a public outburst. in december this cell phone video surfaced outside a romanian nightclub. cage's once red-hot career seems to be cooling off.
>>
you can't get back what you've taken from me.
>> reporter:
one of hollywood's highest paid actors earning $40 million in
2009
, cage starred in mega blockbusters like "
con air
," "the rock," and "face-off. "nominated for two
academy awards
he nabbed a
best actor
for a suicidal alcoholic in "
leaving las vegas
."
>>
i think you know i'm serious.
>> reporter:
but his latest film "drive angry" flopped.
>>
i am going to get her back.
>> reporter:
grossing just $10 million at a time when he needs the money more than ever. last year the actor revealed he owes the irs approximately $14 million in back taxes, just one of many problems for a star who has certainly seen brighter days.
>>
nicolas cage
has had money troubles, legal troubles now, and a lot of perm troubsonal troubles and it's piling up and is very bad for him.
>> reporter:
cage's first case is
may 21st
. for "today," mara, schiavo.
>>>
the dog tried to get cage released from jail. kate
“ ”