Terrence Howard is claiming he can’t secure work because everyone is afraid to hire him, after his estranged wife alleged he violently abused her, TMZ is reporting. During the divorce proceedings between the Academy Award-nominated actor and his wife Michelle, she accused him of smacking her in the face and chipping her tooth with his wedding ring. Michelle also claimed he threatened to throw her off a balcony.

Howard has denied the allegations, adding that he’s “gravely concerned that her actions have had an incredibly negative effect on my career and my ability to obtain future work as an actor.” His agent, Jim Toth, Reese Witherspoon’s husband, has submitted a declaration stating his client hasn’t received any suitable offers since the allegations were made. The declaration added that the actor made $60,000 for his last project, which ended in September 2011.

Written by: Karen Benardello