Suing the estate of disgraced celebrities
Discussion
Current shenanigans with Russel Brand led to the opening of a chat with a buddy of mine who lost a shed load of money related to a former, now deceased TV personality.
He developed a concept for an animated kid's TV series which featured the voice of said celeb whose name was also hoped would boost its appeal and visibility to broadcasters. He sunk a lot of money into it (over £100K) and got as far a a full production pilot before the arrest. Following conviction, everyone involved just dropped it like a hot brick. He's tried several times to re-launch it without success - or without the need to reinvest a similar amount to get the wheel turning again.
I asked if he could have sued the celeb. He's convinced he wasn't able to . He got the fee for the voice over refunded by the managing agent but this was only around £6k.
Surely there's the scope to recover losses when this sort of thing happens, isn't there?
He developed a concept for an animated kid's TV series which featured the voice of said celeb whose name was also hoped would boost its appeal and visibility to broadcasters. He sunk a lot of money into it (over £100K) and got as far a a full production pilot before the arrest. Following conviction, everyone involved just dropped it like a hot brick. He's tried several times to re-launch it without success - or without the need to reinvest a similar amount to get the wheel turning again.
I asked if he could have sued the celeb. He's convinced he wasn't able to . He got the fee for the voice over refunded by the managing agent but this was only around £6k.
Surely there's the scope to recover losses when this sort of thing happens, isn't there?
Doubt it.
Imagine you went into a business venture with a partner or co-director who ended up in jail for something unrelated. I'm sure these types of scenarios occur from time to time outside the world of entertainment and celebrity.
And I'm pretty sure there is little finanacial redress available to anyone who loses money in these circumstances.
Imagine you went into a business venture with a partner or co-director who ended up in jail for something unrelated. I'm sure these types of scenarios occur from time to time outside the world of entertainment and celebrity.
And I'm pretty sure there is little finanacial redress available to anyone who loses money in these circumstances.
OIC said:
If there was a contract between your 'friend' and the celeb then maybe.
If it was more than 7 years ago then almost certainly not (statute of limitations).
Has he asked DW?
There was a contract. Not seen it but from what he tells me it was for the initial pilot and then a 'buy-out' at an agreed rate for so many shows should the series get commissioned. There were restrictive clauses that prevented the celeb from doing similar work for similar productions for two years but nothing that covered arrest and conviction for child-related abuse or even any form of reputational damage for any reason. I would imagine there exist such clauses today.If it was more than 7 years ago then almost certainly not (statute of limitations).
Has he asked DW?
10 years ago so well beyond the statute of limitation but the question is more one of curiosity.
As Eric says, there exist so many risks that I doubt a contract could accommodate all.
In my friend's case, he lost a shed load of money as did others connected with the project. The celeb went to jail but as far as anyone knows, his estate remained intact and worth a very significant amount which to me, doesn't sit right (obviously not even close to the harm he actually caused the victims).
Eric Mc said:
Now we are all wondering who this celeb might have been - and what type of gameshow/TV show was being devised.
"I'm a Glam Rocker - Get me Out of Here"?
"It's a Knockout's Got Talent"?
"Animal Hospital - The Quiz"?
It was a cartoon for kids. Main character was voiced by a certain antipodean swimming instructor. "I'm a Glam Rocker - Get me Out of Here"?
"It's a Knockout's Got Talent"?
"Animal Hospital - The Quiz"?
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