Frank Sivero, the actor often seen in mobster movies like "The Godfather," is suing Fox, claiming that "The Simpsons" producers ripped off his "Goodfellas" character Frankie Carbone and used his likeness without his consent.
In a $250 million lawsuit filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court Tuesday, Sivero claims that "The Simpsons" creators were "highly aware of who Sivero was, the fact that he created the role of Frankie Carbone, and that 'The Simpsons' character Louie would be
based on this character," Deadline.com reported, quoting court documents.
Louie, an animated character that is part of Fat Tony's crew, first appeared on "The Simpsons" in Season 4 in October, 1991, and appeared in more than a dozen episodes after that.
Sivero is demanding $50 million for improper infringement of name and likeness, $100 million for improper "interference of Plaintiff economic advantage," $50 million for taking his "confidential" idea, and another $50 million in exemplary damages, according to Deadline.com.
"The Martin Scorsese-directed classic ['Goodfellas'] came out in 1990 and, a year later, Louie debuted on 'The Simpsons' in an episode called 'Bart the Murderer,'
per the suit," E! Online reported. "The character, which has sideburns and a head of coarse curly hair, went on to appear in 15 more episodes, the most recent being April 27, 2014."
Sivero deserves his cut, the suit says, especially because "The Simpsons" has raked in some $12 billion through television, film, video games, and merchandising over the decades.
The Los Angeles Times pointed out that the Louie character has been voiced by two different actors, neither of them Sivero, but the lawsuit charges that the mannerisms of the cartoon character mimic the actor.
"The Simpsons" has been on the air for 25 years, celebrating its rare television longevity with a
special show at the Hollywood Bowl last month.
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