A hearing on the admissibility of movie star Randy Quaid's refugee claim has been held over until Nov. 8.

The National Lampoon star has applied for asylum in Canada, claiming that he is afraid of being murdered by "star whackers" in his native U.S.

Outside the hearing on Thursday, he told reporters that the "whackers" are a "malignant tumour" on Hollywood, and reiterated his claim that they were responsible for the deaths of actors Heath Ledger, Chris Penn and David Carradine.

"I believe that many others, such as Britney Spears, Lindsay Lohan and Mel Gibson, are being played to get at their money," Quaid added.

He and his wife Evi were released from an immigration facility on Wednesday after posting $10,000 bail each. That afternoon, Evi received an unconditional release because officials have determined she is a Canadian citizen.

The Quaids came to Canada after skipping an arraignment hearing in California for a felony burglary charge. In that case, the pair is accused of squatting in a Montecito home they once owned together in the 1990s, and causing thousands of dollars in damage. A judge issued $50,000 bench warrants for their arrest on Oct. 18.

But Randy Quaid denied that the pair had done anything illegal.

"We are not criminal, nor are we fugitives from justice, nor are we crazy," he said. "We did not defraud an innkeeper and we did not trespass on our own property."

Instead, Quaid said he believes that the couple has been targeted by a network of lawyers and business managers out to get their money and destroy their careers.

"This network of individuals is manipulating the banking system and the criminal justice system for the purposes of sabotaging our credit and out credibility," he said.

He also announced his availability for roles in Canadian television and film projects.

"I wish to return to only one thing: work," he said.

Quaid's lawyer, Catherine Sas, told reporters that her client has not yet determined if he will return to California for a hearing next week, but added that he will if he is legally required to do so.

Sas acknowledged that Quaid would have to withdraw his application for refugee status if he returns to the U.S.

Quaid is known for his roles in films such as The Last Detail, Independence Day, Kingpin and Brokeback Mountain. He won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of President Lyndon Johnson in LBJ: The Early Years.

He is the older brother of actor Dennis Quaid. Randy said Thursday that his younger brother is implicated in the plots against him.