Simpsons Mobster Beats Goodfellas Actor in Court
A Los Angeles Judge has dismissed claims by Frank Sivero– the actor who played mobster Frankie Carbone in the movie Goodfellas– against FOX and the Simpsons.
Carbone was claiming that Simpsons writers ripped off his character when they created Simpsons recurring mob guy “Louie” and seeking $250 million compensation for his identity being co-opted.
The suit was dismissed based on California’s anti-SLAPP law which allows dismissal of cases before they reach trial where the issue involves free speech unless the plaintiff can prove a likelihood of success at trial.
Judge Miller said that even if the character did bear resemblance to Mr. Sivero, he could not win at trial because the use of his likeness is parody.”Even if Mr. Sivero’s face was on [the character], as long as it’s parody and has other characteristics discussed in the tentative, you can’t win,” she said.
Sivero’s attorney Alex Herrera said they will consider appealing the decision.
