'Thriller' actress joins the Michael Jackson litigation party

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'Thriller' actress joins the Michael Jackson litigation party

Tue May 05, 2009 @ 04:51PM PST

By Matthew Belloni

Ray,ola It's hardly news anymore when someone sues Michael Jackson, but this filing today caught our eye. The former Playboy Playmate who played Jackson's girlfriend in his "Thriller" video has filed suit against Jackson and his production company alleging breach of contract and conversion. Here's the complaint.

Ola Ray says she was promised a 2.5% slice of revenue from the legendary 14-minute video plus SAG and AFTRA royalties.

Interestingly, John Landis, the video's director, brought two separate lawsuits in January, one claiming he's owed 50% of "Thriller" video and documentary revenue and another trying to stop a planned "Thriller" stage play from moving forward.

Here Ray, whose employment agreement says she was paid only a $2,500 fee as a day player, wants an accounting of Jackson's income from the "Thriller" property and unspecified damages. She's repped by LA attorney Jason Feldman. 

UPDATE: Now Jackson's former publicist is suing for $44 million
 

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The Hollywood Reporter, Esq. blog focuses on how the entertainment and media industries are impacted and influenced by the law. It is edited by Matthew Belloni with contributions from veteran legal reporter Eriq Gardner and others. Before joining The Hollywood Reporter, Belloni was a lawyer at an entertainment litigation firm in Los Angeles. He writes a column for THR devoted to entertainment law. Gardner is a New York-based writer and legal journalist. Send tips or comments to [email protected]

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