Goodfellas actor files $250m lawsuit against The Simpsons for using his likeness
Frank Sivero, who played mobster Frankie Carbone in Goodfellas, claims that Simpsons writers living next to him in 1989 imitated his character for animated hoodlum Louie
Alongside Bumblebee Man, Doctor Colossus and German exchange student Uter Zorker, Louie is one of the more minor members of The Simpsons universe. He occasionally menaces Springfieldians at the behest of mob boss Fat Tony and he doesn’t even get a surname. But minor or not, he’s now at the heart of a $250m lawsuit, after Goodfellas actor Frank Sivero has claimed the Simpsons writers stole his likeness for the character.
Apparently quoting The Simpsons Wiki page for Louie, the suit then claims: “Louie’s appearance and mannerisms are strongly evocative of character actor Frank Sivero.” The pair do clearly share a shock of black curls, heavy brow and wiseguy attitude.
Sivero is claiming the money on the grounds of the producers appropriating his “confidential idea” for the character, as well as for “loss of likeness” and being subsequently typecast. He also claims that Gracie Films, The Simpsons’ production company, promised him that he “would be part of the future” and that they would make a film together, which never transpired. Fox is yet to comment on the suit.
