De Havilland V FX

1 HOWARTH & SMITH
DON HOWARTH, (SBN 53783)

2 [email protected]
SUZELLE M. SMITH, (SBN 113992)
3 [email protected]
ZOE E. TREMAYNE, (SBN 310183)
4 [email protected]
523 West Sixth Street, Suite 728
5 Los Angeles, California 90014
Telephone: (213) 955-9400
6 Facsimile: (213) 622-0791
7 Attorneys for Plaintiff
OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND, DBE
8
9 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

10 FOR THE COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES CENTRAL DISTRICT
11
OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND, DBE, and individual, CASE NO.
12
Plaintiff, [Complaint Filed June 30, 2017]
13
VS. COMPLAINT FOR:
14
FX NETWORKS, LLC, a California limited 1) Infringement of Common Law Right
15 liability company; RYAN MURPHY of Publicity
PRODUCTIONS, a California company; and
16 DOES 1 through 100, inclusive, 2) Infringement of Cal. Civil Code
Section 3334 Right of Publicity
17 Defendants. 3) Invasion of Privacy (False Light
Publicity)
18 4) Unjust Enrichment
19 JURY TRIAL DEMANDED
20
21
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COMPLAINT
1 Plaintiff, Olivia de Havilland, DBE, (hereinafter "PLAINTIFF" or "OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND")
2 alleges as follows:
3 THE PARTIES
4 1. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is now and was, at all relevant times, a United States
5 citizen domiciled in Paris, France.
6 2. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is informed and believes, and on that basis, alleges that
7 Defendants FX Networks, LLC ("FX") and Ryan Murphy Productions (together "FX
8 DEFENDANTS") are, and at all times mentioned herein were, limited liability companies and/or
9 corporations, maintaining principal places of business in Los Angeles, California.
10 3. The true names and capacities of defendants named as DOES 1 through 100,
11 inclusive, are presently unknown to OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND will
12 amend this complaint, setting forth the true names and capacities of these fictitious defendants when
13 they are ascertained. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges,
14 that each of the fictitious defendants has participated in the acts alleged in this complaint that have
15 been done by the named defendants.
16 4. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that
17 at all relevant times, each of the defendants, whether named or fictitious, was the agent or employee
18 of each of the other defendants, and in doing the things alleged to have been done in the complaint,
19 acted within the scope of such agency or employment, and/or ratified the acts of the other. To the
20 extent that said conduct was perpetrated by certain defendants, the named defendant or defendants
21 confirmed and ratified the same.
22 5. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is informed and believes, and on that basis alleges, that
23 at all times herein relevant, each defendant was the agent, principal, alter-ego, employee, and/or
24 partner of each other defendant in the acts and conduct alleged herein, and therefore incurred
25 liability to OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND for the acts and conduct alleged herein and/or for the acts and
26 omissions alleged below. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is further informed and believes, and on that
27 basis, alleges that each Defendant entered into a joint venture with the others to create, produce,
28 publish, and market, "Feud: Bette and Joan" and at all times herein relevant, all of the defendants
1
COMPLAINT
1 were acting within the course and scope of their employment and/or said agency.
2 JURISDICTION AND VENUE
3 6. The Court has personal jurisdiction over FX DEFENDANTS, because each
4 Defendant is headquartered in and doing business in the State of California, County of Los Angeles.
5 7. The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over FX DEFENDANTS, because it is a
6 court of general jurisdiction and this matter is not of limited or exclusive jurisdiction.
7 8. Venue is proper in the County of Los Angeles because FX DEFENDANTS'
8 misconduct occurred in Los Angeles County, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND was injured and damaged
9 by this misconduct, and FX DEFENDANTS are headquartered in and doing business in Los
10 Angeles County, pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure 395.5.
11 GENERAL ALLEGATIONS AND BACKGROUND
12 9. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is a living legend and unique role model for multiple
13 generations of actors and fans. She is a two-time Academy Award winner for Best Actress in a
14 Leading Role. Her iconic portrayal of Melanie Hamilton in "Gone with the Windr eamed her the
15 first of many other Oscar nominations. See Exhibit A (BRITANNICA ONLINE ENCYCLOPEDIA, Olivia
16 de Havilland (Dec. 29, 2016), available at https://www.britannica.com/biography/Olivia-de-
17 Havilland). She will celebrate her 101st birthday on July 1, 2017.
18 10. On June 17, 2017, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND was honored with a damehood (the
19 female equivalent of a knighthood) by the Queen of England in the most recent "birthday honors"
20 list. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND lives in Paris, where she received the Legion of Honor award in
21 2010. She is a United States citizen and has a daughter who lives in Los Angeles. She made her
22 professional career almost entirely in Hollywood, California, and has lectured in California on the
23 arts for years. During and after World War II, she visited United States service personnel in military
24 installations and hospitals for a total "salary" of $0.50. Her life was at risk a number of times and
25 she was injured on one of these trips, but she refused to stop. See Exhibit B (Don Walter, Olivia de
26 Havilland Recalls Wartime Shows, Enjoys Making Similar Type Tours Now, STARS AND STRIPES
27 (July 12, 1958), available at https://www.stripes.com/olivia-de-havilland-recalls-wartime-shows-
28 enj oys-making-similar-type-tours-now-1.187691).
2
COMPLAINT
1 11. In 2008, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND was awarded the National Medal of Arts by then
2 President George W. Bush.
3 12. To say that OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is beloved and respected by her peers would
4 be an understatement. For example, at the 75th Academy Awards, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND
5 introduced the segment where 59 other former Best Acting winners were honored. The standing
6 ovation upon her entrance on stage lasted a full 4 minutes. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND narrated a
7 film about Alzheimer's patients in 2009, "I Remember Better When I Paint," (French Connection
8 Films 2009). In 2016, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND republished her autobiography, "Every
9 Frenchman Has One," (and it is not what you think).
10 13. A key reason for the public's deep respect for OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is that, in
11 an 80-plus year career, she has steadfastly refused to engage in typical Hollywood gossip about the
12 relationships of other actors. Even in her own case, where the press reported unkind and critical
13 remarks allegedly made about her by her sister, actor Joan Fontaine, who also wrote an
14 autobiography painting an unflattering picture of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND, she used remarkable
15 restraint. She went so far as to publically state that she "doesn't look back in anger [on any conflict
16 in their relationship], only affection" and stated, "I loved her so much as a child." William Stadiem,
17 Olivia de Havilland and the Most Notorious Sibling Rivalry in Hollywood, Vanity Fair (June 29,
18 2017, 12:26 PM), http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/04/olivia-de-havilland-joan-fontaine-
19 sibling-rivalry. The author concluded, "Ever the lady, [OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND] refused to
20 discuss her sister or their relationship since the 1950s." Id.
21 14. In particular, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND has built a professional reputation for
22 integrity, honesty, generosity, self-sacrifice and dignity. She has refused to use what she knew about
23 the private or public lives of other actors (which was a considerable amount) to promote her own
24 press attention and celebrity status, and this aspect of her character was, and is, both commercially
25 and personally valuable to her. In short, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND has made efforts, spent time
26 and money, protecting her well-defined public image as one who does not engage in gossip and
27 other unkind, ill-mannered behavior.
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3
COMPLAINT
1 15. In particular, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND did not talk about the relationships between
2 other actors to the press. She did not give any interviews about the strained relationship of Bette
3 Davis and Joan Crawford during their lives or after their deaths, despite the fact that she was very
4 close to Ms. Davis, having starred in four films together. To engage in this conduct would have
5 been hypocritical, given her decades-long public distaste for such behavior.
6 16. In March 2017, "Feud: Bette and Joan" ("Feud"), a pseudo-documentary-style
7 television series, aired nationally on the FX Network. The pseudo-documentary was created,
8 produced and distributed by FX and Ryan Murphy Productions. "Feud" is available thinugh several
9 subscription-based streaming services, including Amazon Video, iTunes, and Vudu, and will be
10 broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two in fall of 2017. FX DEFENDANTS have promoted
11 their companies and the pseudo-documentary in a number of advertisements and public relations
12 campaigns using OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name and identity falsely.
13 17. By meticulously including specific details from real life, FX DEFENDANTS
14 intended for the audience to believe that the events depicted and the statements made by role players
15 in "Feud" were accurate, and were actually quotes from real people, including OLIVIA DE
16 HAVILLAND. For example, "Feud" opens with an interview with OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND,
17 played by Academy Award-winning actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones. As the Zeta-Jones de Havilland
18 character is speaking the caption reads: "Olivia de Havilland[,] Two-Time Oscar Winner." See
19 Exhibit C (Screenshot, FEUD: Bette and Joan: Pilot (FX television broadcast Mar. 5, 2017)).
20 Additional captions pinpoint the setting to "1978[,] Dorothy Chandler Pavilion[,] Los Angeles,
21 California," the location of the 50th Academy Awards. See Exhibit D (Screenshot, FEUD: Bette
22 and Joan: Pilot (FX television broadcast Mar. 5, 2017)).
23 18. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND did attend the 50th Academy Awards at the Dorothy
24 Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles in 1978, as she was an award presenter. In addition, Zeta-Jones'
25 de Havilland's appearance was designed to appear as close as possible to OLIVIA DE
26 HAVILLAND 'S real-life appearance at the 1978 Academy Awards. Her black gown, capped with
27 sheer sleeves, is exactly the same. Her diamond necklace, hanging from a black cord, is copied, as
28 are her dangling earrings. Even her hair, which was coifed out at the back for the ceremony in real
4
COMPLA1NT
1 life, has been replicated with precision. See Exhibit E (side-by-side comparison of OLIVIA DE
2 HAVILLAND at 1978 Oscars and Zeta-Jones de Havilland at "Feud" version of 1978 Oscars). The
3 make-up team of "Feud" even fitted a chin prosthetic to Zeta-Jones in order to further duplicate the
4 actual appearance of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND at the 1978 ceremony. Inside Look: LoOking the
5 Part, FXNow (June 23, 2017, 6:12 PM), http://www.fxnetworks.com/video/934691395854. FX
6 DEFENDANTS promoted and advertised that "Feud" was intentionally designed to look as if it was
7 reality. No expense was spared in costumes, make-up and sets to create a real-life appearance. Id.
8 However, no one even consulted the only living person who knew what was real as far as her own
9 statements and roles had or had not been, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND.
10 19. In fact, all statements made by Zeta-Jones as OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND in this
11 fake interview are completely false, some inherently so; others false because they were never said.
12 Such an interview never occurred. FX DEFENDANTS did not engage in protected First
13 Amendment speech in putting false words into the mouth of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND in a fake
14 interview that did not occur and would not have occurred. FX DEFENDANTS misappropriated
15 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name, likeness and identity without her permission and used them
16 falsely in order to exploit their ovvn commercial interests.
17 20. FX DEFENDANTS portrayal of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND in "Feud" creates the
18 public impression that she was a hypocrite, selling gossip in order to promote herself at the
19 Academy Awards. This did not happen and was false. There is no public interest to be protected by
20 putting false statements into the mouth of a living person, using their name and identity for a false
21 and unauthorized purpose, damaging their reputation. The First Amendment does not protect the
22 false, damaging, unauthorized use of the name and identity of a real, living celebrity merely because
23 the perpetrators cloak the work in the title of pure fiction, much less a pseudo-documentary film.
24 21. Specifically, the first lines of "Feud" are spoken by Zeta-Jones' de Havilland: "There
25 was never a rivalry like theirs [Davis and Crawford]. For nearly a half a century, they hated each
26 other, and we loved them for it." FEUD: Bette and Joan: Pilot (FX television broadcast Mar. 5,
27 2017). Zeta-Jones' de Havilland continues to enthusiastically gossip about the title characters to the
28 interviewer, and a clapperboard is shown, reading "Crawford Doc[umentary]." See Exhibit F,

5
COMPLAINT
FEUD: Bette and Joan: Pilot (FX television broadcast Mar. 5, 2017). Zeta-Jones de Havilland
interview provides the framework upon which the rest of the documentary is based and places false,
salacious commentary in the mouth of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND.
22. Zeta-Jones' de Havilland appeared in six episodes of "Feud" and eleven promotional
advertisements for FX DEFENDANTS' stations and companies.
23. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND did not give any such interview and never made these
statements about Miss Davis and Miss Crawford or their relationship. The interview is fake and the
statements attributed to OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND are false. This interview itself and the
statements attributed to OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND are contrary to her public and private image and
reputation and have caused her economic, reputational, and emotional damages, including distress,
anxiety, and humiliation.
24. FX DEFENDANTS do not stop there. They go on to have OLIVIA DE
HAVILLAND call her real-life sister, Joan Fontaine names, again demeaning her reputation for
being a lady even in the face of unfair and untrue personal attacks. For example, in the fifth
segment of "Feud," "And the Winner Is... (The Oscars of 1963)," Zeta-Jones' de Havilland refers to
Joan Fontaine as her "bitch sister," an offensive term that stands in stark contrast with OLIVIA DE
HAVILLAND'S reputation for good manners, class and Icindness. FEUD: Bette and Joan: And the
Winner Is... (The Oscars of 1963) (FX television broadcast Apr. 2, 2017). OLIVIA DE
HAVILLAND never referred to her sister as her "bitch sister," as portrayed in "Feud" and did not,
and does not, engage in such vulgarity.
25. At the 1963 Academy Awards, Zeta-Jones' de Havilland comments to Bette Davis,
portrayed by Susan Sarandon, that Oscar host Frank Sinatra must have drunk all the alcohol in the
backstage lounge, because they cannot find any. All of this is untrue and casts OLIVIA DE
HAVILLAND in false, hurtful and damaging light.
26. In the seventh segment, "Abandoned!," OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is again
portrayed as a petty gossip. When a director offers her the role of a villainess in "Hush...Hush,
Sweet Charlotte," Zeta-Jones' de Havilland states that she doesn't "play bitches," and invites the
director to call her sister, Joan Fontaine, whom she called a "bitch" in an earlier episode. FEUD:
6
COMPLAINT
1 Bette and Joan: Abandoned! (FX television broadcast Apr. 16, 2017). This is false. OLIVIA DE
2 HAVILLAND never called her sister a "bitch" as portrayed in "Feud" and certainly not to a director.
3 Putting these false words into OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S mouth in a documentary format,
4 designed to appear real, has caused OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND commercial and private damage to
5 her reputation. Again, she appears to be a hypocrite, who built a public image of being a lady, not
6 speaking in crude and vulgar terms about others, including her sister, when in private she did the
7 opposite by freely speaking unkindly of others. This is patently false.
8 27. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND did not give her permission for FX DEFENDANTS to
9 use her name, identity, or likeness in "Feud" or any of the promotional materials used by the FX
10 DEFENDANTS to advertise themselves, their products and services. FX DEFENDANTS knew
11 that they did not obtain OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S permission to use her name, identity, or
12 likeness in their documentary or the advertisements of their products and services. See, e.g., Scott
13 Feinberg, Emmys: Ryan Murphy on the Role the Oscars Play Throughout Teud (Q&A), The
14 Hollywood Reporter (June 23, 2017, 5:40 PM), http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/emmys-
15 ryan-murphy-role-oscars-play-throughout-feud-q-a-990187. In promotional interviews for "Feud,"
16 Zeta-Jones also states that she did not consult OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND in preparing to portray
17 her. A. Bottinick, Catherine Zeta-Jones Talks Playing Hollywood Legend Olivia de Havilland in
18 Teud: Bette and Joan', TV Insider (June 26, 2017, 11:58 AM),
19 https://www.tvinsider.com/145637/catherine-zeta-j ones-feud-olivia-de-havilland/.
20 28. Each FX DEFENDANT, FX Networks and Ryan Murphy Productions, knew or
21 recklessly disregarded publicly available information that OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is alive. Each
22 FX DEFENDANT knew or recklessly disregarded publicly available information that OLIVIA DE
23 HAVILLAND did not give any interviews at the 1978 Academy Awards or otherwise about the
24 allegedly strained relationship between Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Each FX DEFENDANT
25 knew or recklessly disregarded publicly available information that OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND
26 created a professional reputationand maintains that reputation in privatefor honesty, integrity
27 and good marmers, avoiding gossip mongering. Each FX DEFENDANT knew or recklessly ignored
28 publicly available information that OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND did not call her sister, Joan Fontaine,
7
COMPLA1NT
1 or other actors, vulgar names, and did not discuss private, personal tragedies with other
2 professionals.
3 29. Each FX DEFENDANT, knowing the truth or recklessly ignoring publicly available
4 information about OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND and her reputation, intentionally published a fake
5 interview which falsely attributed statements to her in order to intentionally promote their
6 companies, services, and products. This fake interview, published in the documentary,
7 advertisements for such, and featured in other publicity, was created at the expense and to the
8 detriment of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND.
9 30. Each FX DEFENDANT knew "Feud" would be more successful if they placed an
10 individual like OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND, who is known for her honesty and integrity, at the
11 forefront of the story. Her credibility, as both the only living person of significance portrayed in
12 "Feud" and as a reliable source who was close to the action, added to the success of "Feud" at the
13 expense of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND. Each FX DEFENDANT benefitted from the wrongful and
14 false exploitation of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name, identity and likeness and the false
15 statements put into her mouth in "Feud," and has financially profited from the advertisements,
16 publicity, and the documentary, which will run in the United Kingdom on the BBC network. Each
17 FX DEFENDANT knew or recklessly ignored publicly available information that OLIVIA DE
18 HAVILLAND would be harmed financially and personally by the falsehoods they each published
19 about her.
20 31. FX DEFENDANTS did not engage in protected First Amendment speech in putting
21 false words into the mouth of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND in fake interviews and documentary style
22 conversations that did not occur and would not have occurred. FX DEFENDANTS misappropriated
23 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name, likeness and identity without her permission and used them
24 falsely in order to exploit their own commercial interests. FX DEFENDANTS portrayal of OLIVIA
25 DE HAVILLAND creates the public impression that she was a hypocrite, selling gossip in order to
26 promote herself at the Academy Awards, criticizing fellow actors, using vulgarity and cheap
27 language with others. This did not happen and was false. There is no public interest to be protected
28 by putting false statements into the mouth of a living person, damaging their reputation. The First
8
COMPLAINT
1 Amendment does not shield use of falsehoods about a real, identified person because they appear in
2 a work denominated pure fiction, much less a pseudo-documentary.
3 FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION
4 (Common Law Right of Publicity Against All Defendants)
5 32. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND reasserts and realleges all allegations set forth in
6 paragraphs 1 through 31, inclusive, as though set forth in full herein.
7 33. FX DEFENDANTS used OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name, likeness, and identity
8 without her permission.
9 34. FX DEFENDANTS gained a commercial benefit by using OLIVIA DE
10 HAVILLAND'S name, likeness, and identity.
11 35. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND benefits financially from the authorized use of her own
12 name, likeness, and identity. The misappropriation caused OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND to sustain
13 injury, damage, loss and harm.

14 36. FX DEFENDANTS conduct was a substantial factor in causing OLIVIA DE
15 HAVILLAND'S harm.
16 37. FX DEFENDANTS made use of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name, picture, and
17 identity for the purpose of exploiting and taking advantage of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S
18 reputation, prestige, social and commercial standing, and the public interest and other value attached
19 to her name, likeness, and identity.
20 38. FX DEFENDANTS knew the account of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND in "Feud" was
21 false or published it with a recIdess disregard for the falsity of the account.
22 39. As a proximate result of the aforesaid wrongful acts of FX DEFENDANTS, OLIVIA
23 DE HAVILLAND has been and will be harmed and deprived of monetary sums in an amount to be
24 determined at trial.
26 DE HAVILLAND has suffered emotional harm in an amount to be determined at trial.
28 DE HAVILLAND has suffered harm to her reputation in an amount to be determined at trial.

9
COMPLAINT
1 42. As a proximate result of the aforesaid wrongful acts of FX DEFENDANTS, said
2 DEFENDANTS have received profits from and attributable to the unauthorized use, which OLIVIA
3 DE HAVILLAND is entitled to recover.
4 43. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND was not compensated for the unauthorized use of her
5 name, likeness, and identity and suffered economic loss therefrom.
6 44. FX DEFENDANTS, in doing the things herein alleged, acted willfully, maliciously,
7 intentionally or with reckless disregard of the consequences to OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND. By
8 reason thereof, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is entitled to recover punitive and exemplary damages
9 from FX DEFENDANTS in an amount to be determined at trial.
10 45. Unless restrained by this court, FX DEFENDANTS will continue to infringe
11 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND's right of publicity, engendering a multiplicity ofjudicial proceedings.
12 Absent injunctive relief, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND will continue to suffer such irreparable harm to
13 her goodwill, and pecuniary compensation will not afford OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND adequate
14 relief for such damage. Therefore, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is entitled to injunctive and other
15 equitable relief from this Court to permanently restrain FX DEFENDANTS from continuing to
16 infringe OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S right of publicity.
17 SECOND CAUSE OF ACTION
18 (Statutory Right of Publicity Against All Defendants)
21 47. FX DEFENDANTS knowingly used OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name,
22 photograph, and likeness to advertise or sell viewership to "Feud" and subscriptions to FX's
23 television channel and other streaming services.
24 48. The use of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name, photograph, and likeness did not
25 occur in connection with a news, public affairs, or sports broadcast or account, or with a political
26 campaign.
27 49. FX DEFENDANTS did not have OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S consent.
28 50. FX DEFENDANTS use of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name, photograph, and

10
COMPLA1NT
1 likeness was directly connected to FX DEFENDANTS commercial sponsorship of the television
2 program and the advertisements of such program, as to constitute use for the purpose of advertising,
3 selling or soliciting purchases of product, merchandise, goods or services of each FX
4 DEFENDANTS' television station and company.
8 52. FX DEFENDANTS' conduct was a substantial factor in causing OLIVIA DE
9 HAVILLAND'S harm.
11 DE HAVILLAND has been and/or will be harmed and deprived of monetary sums in an amount to
12 be determined at trial.
17 56. As a proximate result of the aforesaid wrongful acts of FX DEFENDANTS, said FX
25 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND's right of publicity, engendering a multiplicity of judicial proceedings.
28 relief for such damage. Therefore, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is entitled to injunctive or other
11
COMPLAINT
3 THIRD CAUSE OF ACTION
4 (Invasion of Privacy Publicity Placing Person in False Light in Public Eye Against All
5 Defendants)
8 60. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND claims that FX DEFENDANTS violated her right to
9 privacy.
10 61. FX DEFENDANTS publicized information or material that showed OLIVIA DE
11 HAVILLAND in a false light.
12 62. The false light created by the publication would be highly offensive to a reasonable
13 person in OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S position.
14 63. FX DEFENDANTS knew the publication would create a false impression about
15 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND or acted with reckless disregard for the truth.
16 64. There is clear and convincing evidence that FX DEFENDANTS were negligent in
17 determining the truth of the information or whether a false impression would be created by its
18 publication.
22 66. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND sustained harm to her property, business, profession, or
23 occupation.
24 67. FX DEFENDANTS conduct was a substantial factor in causing OLIVIA DE
25 HAVILLAND'S harm.
26 68. The false information was made public either by communicating it to the public at
27 large or to so many people that the information or material was substantially certain to become
28 public knowledge.
12
COMPLA1NT
2 DE HAVILLAND has been and/or will be harmed and deprived of monetary sums in an amount to
3 be determined at trial.
8 72. As a proximate result of the aforesaid wrongful acts of FX DEFENDANTS, said FX
16 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND's right of publicity, engendering a multiplicity of judicial proceedings.
19 relief for such damage. Therefore, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is entitled to injunctive or other
22 FOURTH CAUSE OF ACTION
23 (Unjust Enrichment Against All Defendants)
26 76. As a result of the wrongful acts of FX DEFENDANTS, and each of them, as
27 hereinabove alleged, FX DEFENDANTS, and each of them, have received unjust financial and
28 economic benefits at the expense of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND. Such unjust enrichment and
13
COMPLAINT
1 benefits include, but are not limited to (1) the value of the use of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S
2 name, image and identity for the commercial purposes made thereof by FX DEFENDANTS; and (2)
3 the amount of FX DEFENDANTS', and each of their, gross revenues attributable to the use of
4 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name, image and identity as alleged herein.
5 77. As alleged herein above, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND suffered harm as a result of FX
6 DEFENDANTS actions in obtaining a financial and economic benefit.
7 78. FX DEFENDANTS' retention of these benefits at the expense of OLIVIA DE
8 HAVILLAND is unjust.
9 79. As a direct and proximate result of the allegations above, FX DEFENDANTS have
10 been unjustly enriched at the expense of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND in an amount to be proved at
11 trial.
12 80. FX DEFENDANTS, and each of them, are under an obligation to pay OLIVIA DE
13 HAVILLAND, forthwith, the entire amount by which they have been unjustly enriched and OLIVIA
14 DE HAVILLAND is entitled to the imposition of a constructive trust, as more particularly alleged
15 hereinab ove.
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14
COMPLAINT
PRAYER FOR RELIEF
WHEREFORE, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND prays for judgment as follows:
As to All Causes of Action:
1. For compensatory damages in an amount to be determined at trial;
2. For emotional distress damages in an amount to be determined at trial;
3. For damages sustained through harm to OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S reputation in
an amount to be determined at trial;
4. For economic losses sustained by OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND, both past and future,
in an amount to be determined at trial;

5. For any profits gained by defendant from and attributable to the unauthorized use of
OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name, photograph, or likeness, in an amount to be determined at trial;
6. For punitive and exemplary damages in an amount to be determined at trial;
7. For reasonable attorneys fees, costs of this action, and interest as provided by law;
8. For a permanent injunction restraining FX DEFENDANTS from continuing to
infringe OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND 'S right of publicity though use of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND 'S
name, photograph, and likeness on or in products, merchandise or goods for purposes of advertising
or selling goods or services, or soliciting purchases of products, merchandise, goods or services
related to the pseudo-documentary-style television series "Feud" as well as broadcast and
distribution of the series itself; and
9. For any such further relief as this Court may deem just and proper.
Dated: June 30, 2017 HOWARTH & SMITH
SUZELLE M. SMITH
DON HOWARTH
ZOE E. TREMAYNE
By.
Attorneys for Plaintiff

OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND, DBE
15
COMPLAINT
1 DEMAND FOR JURY TRIAL
2 Plaintiff hereby demands trial by jury.
3
4 Dated: June 30, 2017 HOWARTH & SMITH

5 SUZELLE M. SMITH
DON HOWARTH
6 ZOE E. TREMAYNE
7
8 B:
9
A-ttorneys for Plaintiff
10 OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND, DBE
11
12
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14
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16
COMPLAINT
EXHIBIT A
6/29/2017 Olivia de Havilland Britannica Online Encyclopedia
Olivia de Havilland
Olivia de Havilland, in full Olivia Mary de Havilland (born
July1,1916, Tokyo, Japan), American motion-picture
actress remembered for the lovely and gentle ingenues of
her early career as well as for the later, more substa ntial
roles she fought to secure.
The daughter of a British patent attorney, de Havilland

and her younger sister, Joan Fontaine, moved to California
in 1919 with their mother, an actress. While attending
school, de Havilland was chosen from the cast of a local
California production of A Midsummer Night's Dream to
play Hermia in a 1935 Warner Brothers film version of that
play. As the sweet-tempered beauty to Errol Flynn's
Olivia de Havilland in The Adventures of gallant swain, she appeared in many costume adventure
Robin Hood (1938). movies of the 1930s and '40s, including Captain Blood
Encyclopwdia Britannica, Inc. (1935), The Charge of the Light Brigade (1936), The
Adventures of Robin Hood (1938), and They Died with
Their Boots On (1941). She also played romantic leading
roles in Strawberry Blonde (1941), Hold Back the Dawn
(1941), and The Male Animal (1942) and portrayed Melanie
Wilkes in Gone with the Wind (1939).
ln 1945 de Havilland won a precedent-setting case against

Warner Brothers, which released her from a six-month
penalty obligation appended by the studio to her seven-
year contract. Free to take more challenging roles, she
Puck and Hermia, as portrayed by Mickey
Rooney (left) and Olivia de Havilland, in the gave Academy Award-winning performances in To Each
film His Own (1946) and The Heiress (1949). She also gave a
@ Archive Photos superb performance in The Snake Pit (1948). De Havilland

moved to France in 1955 and worked infrequently in films
after that, most memorably in The Light in the Piazza
(1962), Lady in a Cage (1964), and Hush...Hush, Sweet
Charlotte (1964). She also appeared in a number of
television plays.
https://www.britannica.com/printJarticle/153543 1/2
6/29/2017 Olivia de Havilland Britannica Online Encyclopedia
Montgomery Clift and Olivia de Havilland in

The Heiress (1949).
1949 Paramount Pictures Corporation;

photograph from a private collection
"Olivia de Havilland". Encyclopdia Britannica. Encyclopwdia Britannica Online.

Encyclopwdia Britannica Inc., 2017. Web. 29 Jun. 2017
<https://www.britannica.com/biog raphy/Olivia-de-Havilland>.
https://www.britannica.com/print/article/153543 2/2
EXHIBIT B
Olivia de aviland recalls wartime s lows, enjoys makng
similar type tours now
By DON WALTER I Stars and Stripes I Published: July 12, 1958
OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND was radiant and lovely, like a movie queen ought to be.
"Conne on in," she said. "But you'll have to excuse the house were raising the roof
around here," The carpenters were busy and the interior decorator had just sent over a
new chair for Miss de Havilland's bedroom and the delivery boys were struggling up the
stairs with it.
She and her French husband, Paris magazine executive Pierre Galante, were literally
"raising the roof." Their white stucco house in Paris 16th Arrondissennent was
undergoing a complete transformation. Included in the remodeling was a project that
heightened the top floor to make space for a playroom for their children.
This day Miss de Havilland had every right to be a bundle of nerves upset house, a
trip to the States to prepare for, plans for a personal appearance at the premiere of her
new film in Atlanta. But she displayed the charm and smoothness for which she ls
famous as she graciously and naturally received the reporter and photographer from
The Stars and Stripes. lt was more as though she, in her role as Paris mother and
housewife, were having neighbors in for a midmorning cup of coffee.
Although she now lives in Paris, Miss de Havilland is still very much a part of the
movies. And she is still enjoying a vast popularity both in the U.S. and overseas, often in
remote corners of the world. "I have received letters commenting on films that I'd even
forgotten about," Miss de Havilland said as she thumbed through a recent batch of mail.
There were letters from Madagascar, East Germany, Yugoslavia and the Far East.
The Oscar-winning actress, whose perfornnances in "The Snake Pit and "The Heiress"
are regarded among the highlights in the history of the cinema, says she likes living in
Paris. Business and social engagennents keep her occupied, but she has found time in
her schedule to keep appointments with some of her favorite people U.S.
servicennen.
Appearing at U.S. military installations is one of the star's old loves. It was her patriotic
contribution during World War II. She earned the reputation for being one of the most
faithful and favorite celebrities visiting isolated islands and battlefronts in the Pacific
during World War II. She risked life and limb in this effort. Once she rode out a crippled
plane over the ocean. Another time she came down with virus pneumonia, spent days in
an island hospital before doctors finally could diagnose her near-critical case.
At her home in Paris in 1958, actress Olivia de Havilland models a jacket given to her
when she was made an honorary member of the 11th Airborne Division.
RED GRANDY/STARS AND STRIPES
She calls herself a "50-cent-a-year" woman, because she is presently under contract
with the Army's Special Services for personal appearances for the next two years in
Germany, France, Italy or at whatever installation in Europe where she may be invited.
She Is paid $1 for the contract.
Last year she was made a honorary member of the llth Airborne Div and now one of
her prized possessions is the khaki jacket tailored to her measurements bearing the
11th's patch on one sleeve and the identification patch, "de Havilland" across the chest.
She has been to Berlin and to bases in Italy. Her sumnner schedule of tours is booked
solid, as far as time and other commitments will allow. Counting her travel time, Miss de
Havilland last year devoted nearly a month to visits with U.S. servicemen in Europe.
The $1 contract has helped Miss de Havilland to retain her American citizenship. She
was born in Tokyo of British parents and was naturalized in the U.S. after she went to
Hollywood. Now, married to a French citizen, it would be necessary for her to return to
the U.S. periodically to retain citizenship. The law provides that if a naturalized citizen
remains outside the U.S. for five years, citizenship is lost.
At present, it is expected that Congress will pass a bill waiving the existing law in Miss
de Havilland's case. Rep. Francis E. Walter (D-Pa.) recently introduced such a bill. He
did not know Miss de Havilland personally, he said, but he was acquainted with her
visits to servicemen both during the war and at present. Meanwhile, Miss de Havilland.
with a Government contract, can retain her citizenship without interruption of the life she
likes best.
Her marriage to Pierre Galante came about in the same storybook manner as the rest of
her fabulous life since leaving school at Our Lady's Convent at Belmont, Calif., in 1934;
going to drama school and beginning a motion picture career in 1935.
She met the magazine executive on her first visit to France, in 1953. That year she had
come to Paris with her young son, Benjamin, on her way to Cannes for the international
film festival.
lt may have been by coincidence that Galante, a member of the festival committee, was
at the airport when she arrived. lt also may have been by coincidence that he happened
to join her manager and her at lunch one day in Paris. And, by coincidence again, he
was at her table every day during banquets at the film festival.
Later Miss de Havilland left for Dallas for a summer theater engagement. Shortly after,
there was a cable front Galante. He was coming to Texas.
By now. the actress was aware that the Frenchman's attentions had nothing to do with
coincidence. So, to welcome him to Dallas, she decided to please hinn with something
typically French foie gras and champagne. The fourth day of this diet, though,
caused the visitor to say, "l am deeply in love with you, but even though I am French
there are two, things I really dont like goose liver and champagne."
Miss de Havilland recalls she was more impressed, or perhaps stunned, at first at his
gallantry in enduring the pate and champagne for four days than she was with his
declaration of love. Shortly after they were married at Yvoy-le-Marron, near Orleans,
France. lt was April 2, the same day Napoleon had married Marie.
Paris life is interesting, says Miss de Havilland. She didn't know much French on her
first visit to France, but now she speaks it welt. Among the Galantes friends are
numerous French film notables. They like to entertain at home and will do so again once
the house is finished. Thanksgiving dinner is always a big occasion at the Galante
home. Benjamin now is in school in Nornnandy. The Galantes have a daughter. Gisele,
who will be 2 years old this month.
Her new picture, "The Proud Rebel," will be on service screens soon. lt to due for an
early showing on the Champs-Elysses in Paris. Miss de Havilland attended the
premiere ln Atlanta, where just 20 years before she had gone for the opening of "Gone
With the Wind."
"I'm not sure whether they're going to like me in Atlanta this time," she said before
leaving Paris. "Last time I was the shining example of Southern wonnanhood. This time
it's also a Civil War film, but l'nn on the other side."
EXHIBIT C
EXHIBIT D
DOP CIANDLEP
1.0 IINCELES, allIf0P1114
EXHIBIT E
EXHIBIT F
1111 I 111Mli

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1 HOWARTH & SMITH

DON HOWARTH, (SBN 53783)

9 SUPERIOR COURT OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA

5 citizen domiciled in Paris, France.

9 corporations, maintaining principal places of business in Los Angeles, California.

11 inclusive, are presently unknown to OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND. OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND will

15 been done by the named defendants.

21 confirmed and ratified the same.

2 JURISDICTION AND VENUE

3 6. The Court has personal jurisdiction over FX DEFENDANTS, because each

5 7. The Court has subject matter jurisdiction over FX DEFENDANTS, because it is a

7 8. Venue is proper in the County of Los Angeles because FX DEFENDANTS'

10 Angeles County, pursuant to California Code of Civil Procedure 395.5.

11 GENERAL ALLEGATIONS AND BACKGROUND

16 de Havilland (Dec. 29, 2016), available at https://www.britannica.com/biography/Olivia-de-

17 Havilland). She will celebrate her 101st birthday on July 1, 2017.

27 (July 12, 1958), available at https://www.stripes.com/olivia-de-havilland-recalls-wartime-shows-

2 President George W. Bush.

4 be an understatement. For example, at the 75th Academy Awards, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND

8 Films 2009). In 2016, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND republished her autobiography, "Every

9 Frenchman Has One," (and it is not what you think).

14 autobiography painting an unflattering picture of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND, she used remarkable

18 2017, 12:26 PM), http://www.vanityfair.com/hollywood/2016/04/olivia-de-havilland-joan-fontaine-

20 discuss her sister or their relationship since the 1950s." Id.

21 14. In particular, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND has built a professional reputation for

27 other unkind, ill-mannered behavior.

6 16. In March 2017, "Feud: Bette and Joan" ("Feud"), a pseudo-documentary-style

12 campaigns using OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND'S name and identity falsely.

13 17. By meticulously including specific details from real life, FX DEFENDANTS

17 played by Academy Award-winning actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones. As the Zeta-Jones de Havilland

22 and Joan: Pilot (FX television broadcast Mar. 5, 2017)).

25 de Havilland's appearance was designed to appear as close as possible to OLIVIA DE

5 Part, FXNow (June 23, 2017, 6:12 PM), http://www.fxnetworks.com/video/934691395854. FX

9 statements and roles had or had not been, OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND.

10 19. In fact, all statements made by Zeta-Jones as OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND in this

16 falsely in order to exploit their ovvn commercial interests.

17 20. FX DEFENDANTS portrayal of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND in "Feud" creates the

28 interviewer, and a clapperboard is shown, reading "Crawford Doc[umentary]." See Exhibit F,

salacious commentary in the mouth of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND.

advertisements for FX DEFENDANTS' stations and companies.

anxiety, and humiliation.

24. FX DEFENDANTS do not stop there. They go on to have OLIVIA DE

and does not, engage in such vulgarity.

HAVILLAND in false, hurtful and damaging light.

26. In the seventh segment, "Abandoned!," OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND is again

7 opposite by freely speaking unkindly of others. This is patently false.

10 DEFENDANTS to advertise themselves, their products and services. FX DEFENDANTS knew

14 Hollywood Reporter (June 23, 2017, 5:40 PM), http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/race/emmys-

15 ryan-murphy-role-oscars-play-throughout-feud-q-a-990187. In promotional interviews for "Feud,"

20 28. Each FX DEFENDANT, FX Networks and Ryan Murphy Productions, knew or

22 FX DEFENDANT knew or recklessly disregarded publicly available information that OLIVIA DE

25 knew or recklessly disregarded publicly available information that OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND

26 created a professional reputationand maintains that reputation in privatefor honesty, integrity

8 detriment of OLIVIA DE HAVILLAND.

17 FX DEFENDANT knew or recklessly ignored publicly available information that OLIVIA DE

2 a work denominated pure fiction, much less a pseudo-documentary.

3 FIRST CAUSE OF ACTION

4 (Common Law Right of Publicity Against All Defendants)

6 paragraphs 1 through 31, inclusive, as though set forth in full herein.