Actors want money from 'America's Most Wanted'

By Eriq Gardner

Has any "America's Most Wanted" viewer ever stopped to ask whether the actors portraying serial rapists and bank robbers studied Method? Probably not.

Allegedly, the producers of the long-running Fox show gave these actors short-thrift as well.

Kenneth Reichling and Robert Wu are suing Fox and STF Prods. for failing to pay residuals. In a complaint filed yesterday in Los Angeles Superior Court, the actors claim they made various appearances on the show but are now owed money for re-airings, foreign, Internet and print use of their spots, as well as re-cutting of spots aired as different segments.

Fox declined to comment.

Reichling says the situation became apparent to him after being made aware of an episode of "AMW" that re-aired in June 2009. Upon investigation, he claims he discovered there were "innumerable instances" in which the show had re-aired spots in which Reichling appeared.

The complaint, for breach of written agreement, intentional and negligent misrepresentation and breach of good faith and fair dealing, seeks at least $50,000.