Fox Sued Over 'Simpsons' Character; Actor Wants $250M
You might recognize Frank Sivero from such films as "Goodfellas" and "The Godfather Part II." But what about "The Simpsons"?
Sivero apparently recognized himself in a semi-recurring character on Fox's animated television series "The Simpsons." Sivero has filed a $250 million lawsuit against Fox claiming that the character Louie, who has appeared in 16 episodes of the long-running hit show, is based on the character Sivero "developed and played" in the 1990 mob film "Goodfellas."
What's the basis of Sivero's eye-popping lawsuit?
'Appearance and Mannerisms Are Strongly Evocative' of Sivero's Character: Lawsuit
According to Sivero's lawsuit, the "appearance and mannerisms" of Louie from "The Simpsons" is "strongly evocative" of Frankie Carbone, the character played by Sivero in "Goodfellas" which was released a year before Louie's first appearance on "The Simpsons." Sivero claims that during the time he was preparing to play Carbone, writers for "The Simpsons" lived in the same apartment complex as he did; Sivero claims he saw the writers "almost every day."
Among of causes of action alleged in Sivero's lawsuit are misappropriation of likeness and infringement of right to privacy, which generally require that a defendant use another person's name or likeness for his or her own benefit without that person's permission.
Sivero's lawsuit also alleges unjust enrichment on the part of Fox, claiming that a portion of the alleged $12 billion "The Simpsons" has made to date should be paid to Sivero for the use of his likeness.
Fox Studios representatives could not be reached for comment, the Los Angeles Times reported.