Sivero, who also names FOX as defendant, is seeking $250 million in damages for creating Louie based on Frank Carbone.
- Oct 23, 2014
AceShowbiz - Frank Sivero is pretty sure that Louie on "The Simpsons" is based on his character in "Goodfellas". The character actor filed a lawsuit on Tuesday, October 21 against FOX and writers of the cartoon series for stealing his likeness to create the mafia sidekick character in Springfield.
In the lawsuit, Sivero claimed that he was neighbors with the "Simpsons" writers while he was preparing for his "Goodfellas" role in 1990. A year later, the long-running series debuted the character Louie who resembles Sivero in both his looks and mannerisms. Louie, a henchman for Springfield heavy Fat Tony, has had recurring roles in the series since then.
"Louie's appearance and mannerisms are strongly evocative of the character actor Frank Sivero," the suit said, adding "over the years, 'The Simpsons' were known for basing characters on the television series on those of real life people and real life characters". Never in the series did Louie mention "Goodfellas" or Sivero's character Frank Carbone.
Sivero said he "continues to suffer severe financial damages in the form of lost income [he] should have received in compensation for his name and likeness being used." He is asking $250 million in damages but leaves out producer James L. Brooks and his production company, Gracie Films, and series creator Matt Groening as defendants.
