Charlie Sheen sues Warner Bros., "Men" exec prod Chuck Lorre for $100 million
Fired "Two and a Half Men" star Charlie Sheen has sued Warner Bros and the show's co-creator/exec producer Chuck Lorre for $100 million plus punitive damages, over the halting of production on the show and his termination.
Charlie Sheen sued Warner Bros. on Thursday for $100 million. (CBS)
The lawsuit, filed Thursday morning in Los Angeles Superior Court, demands not only that Sheen get paid for the eight episodes of the hit CBS sitcom that were scrapped this TV season, but Sheen also claims he's suing on the part of the entire cast and crew.
"Torpedo away... You corporate Trolls were warned. And now you've been served! " Sheen tweeted Thursday shortly before 2 p.m. ET.
"Defendant Chuck Lorre, one of the richest men in television who is worth hundreds of millions of dollars, believes himself to be so wealthy and powerful that he can unilaterally decide to take money away from the dedicated cast and crew of the popular television series "Two and a Half Men" in order to serve his own ego and self-interest, and make the star of the Series the scapegoat for Lorre's own conduct," Sheen's lawyer Martin Singer wrote in the court documents, a copy of which was obtained by TMZ.com.
Singer alleges the decision to cancel the eight episodes was made because Lorre hated Sheen and because Lorre allegedly wanted out to focus on his other shows - he also produces CBS sitcoms "Big Bang Theory" and "Mike and Molly" for Warner Bros. TV.
Singer alleges Warner Bros. renegotiated Sheen's contract when Sheen was facing those felony charges in Aspen - Warner Bros. cited felony charges in its letter dismissing Sheen that was sent to Sheen earlier this week.
In Sheen's suit against the studio and exec producer, attorney Singer also claims they fired Sheen when he was ill, in violation of state and federal law.
In the suit, Sheen claims Warner Bros. and Lorre "were able to generate more than a billion dollars as a result of Charlie Sheen, the cast and crew rendering services on the Series."
And that "after years of Lorre humiliating, harassing, and disparaging Mr. Sheen and after Lorre unilaterally decided not to write scripts as required to complete the 2010-2011 season's contemplated episodes."
"Warner Bros. capitulated to Lorre's egotistical desire to punish Mr. Sheen and to stop work on the Series for the rest of the season, and used its powerful public relations machine to create a myth to justify their conduct by wrongfully blaming Mr. Sheen," the suit claims.
Because of Lorre's financial leverage with Warner Bros. and CBS, he convinced Warner Bros. to "conspire with him and attribute the suspension of the Series and termination of Mr. Sheen's contract on Mr. Sheen's alleged statements, conduct and conditions, despite the fact that Mr. Sheen is in compliance with his contract and ready, willing and able to proceed."
Warner Bros. declined to comment, a representative said. Likewise, Lorre is declining to comment, his rep's office told The TV Column.
More Charlie Sheen coverage:
Charlie Sheen's celebrity-studded Twitter army continues to grow
"Two and a Half Men" creator Chuck Lorre writes a telling vanity card
Photo gallery: Life and career of Charlie Sheen
Random quotes from the mind of Charlie Sheen
Video: Charlie Sheen starts his media tour on "Good Morning America" and "Today"
Audio: Sheen's radio rant
Poll: Who should replace Charlie Sheen?
CBS, Warner Bros cancel "Two and Half Men" season after Charlie Sheen self-destructs on radio show
Charlie Sheen starts calling radio shows from his rehab center in Charlie Sheen's House, Calif.
By
Lisa de Moraes
| March 10, 2011; 1:55 PM ET
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CBS and Warner discriminated against Charlie because he has a non-traditional family. Because Charlie and his two goddesses are not living in the closet, Charlie had his children and job taken away from him.
This is a sad day for tolerance and non-traditional families.
Posted by: blasmaic | March 10, 2011 2:20 PM | Report abuse
I absolutely agree! Charlie Sheen hasn't done a single thing wrong! All he wants to do is live his life; not everyone CAN stay drug free and sane. Jeez!
Posted by: CaptainObviousIII | March 10, 2011 2:25 PM | Report abuse
I think that this conspiracy goes much higher than Lorre, the Freemasons and Opus Dei teamed up with the Illuminati in one giant global pyramid scheme to destroy the greatest actor of a generation...
Posted by: ozpunk | March 10, 2011 2:25 PM | Report abuse
How is this news? [sigh] This is California, so Sheen will probably win something due to his ever-so-clear mental illness.
Posted by: forgetthis | March 10, 2011 2:39 PM | Report abuse
Right he gets to plea insanity and get paid. Clearly, CBS and Warner were insane for hiring him and should pay him dearly.
Posted by: cymp65 | March 10, 2011 2:58 PM | Report abuse
Fully predictable. How dare CBS and the producers scuttle the ship before the crew had the full time to mutiny.
Posted by: edbyronadams | March 10, 2011 3:36 PM | Report abuse
Though I liked his character in 2.5/Men, I hope that a jury sees through this charade and finds against him. There was ample reason for dismissal. A counter suit for $200M should be filed. Poor Charlie, not. Seek medical attention from a mental health professional, dude.
Posted by: Lefty_ | March 10, 2011 3:43 PM | Report abuse
If you're looking for you daily fix of Charlie Sheen, head on over to Sheenaholic...
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Posted by: sheenaholic | March 10, 2011 3:46 PM | Report abuse
Watching Charlie Sheen self-destruct in public has been one of the more painful things I have seen. He is a brilliant, talented actor who, like his dad, I never tire of watching perform.
I have personal experience with the insanity of drug addiction. I believe that it is the most baffling and contradictory of all mental illnesses, and that confrontation often only buttressed the self-illusions built up around denial of the problem.
Like many addicts, he will probably die, be institutionalized, or end up in prison. His only escape is to have the courage to admit his problem and step forward on the path of recovery.
Its not impossible. I know that if I could do it, anyone can. I pray that Charlie will find it as well.
Posted by: reussere | March 10, 2011 4:15 PM | Report abuse
What, y'all don't have software to resize a picture, you gotta do it in the img tag? C'mon, WaPo, aren't you better than this? This is 2011, not 1996--fire up the photo editing program, resize that thing for real, then post it nice and clean. It looks like the aspect ratio isn't even right.
Posted by: dkp01 | March 10, 2011 4:19 PM | Report abuse
Charlie Sheen is fighting for the staff and crew who also are losing their jobs when Lorre cancelled his contract. Sheen is willing to go back to work. It's not like sheen is walking away from the show. Does Lorre have any idea how many mouths will starve just because he hates Sheen? There are more personalities who drink and get drunk, who use drugs etc.but instead of taking away their source of living why don't they tailor a program for these people to help them get up and go back on their feet? Lorre is cruel.
Posted by: innie45 | March 10, 2011 4:55 PM | Report abuse
The other members of the cast get to sue Sheen for taking away their show. I personally think that this whole thing started as a publicity thing for Charlie. He certainly has gotten a lot of free press.
Posted by: jtsw | March 10, 2011 4:59 PM | Report abuse
Please tell me this. How does a board-certified lunatic get to be paid $1 million per episode for working in the most vapid, stupid program in the history of TV? And, why do all these folks waste their time watching such garbage?
Posted by: sameolddoc | March 10, 2011 5:01 PM | Report abuse
Charlie Sheen can't sue 'on behalf of the other cast and crew'. If they want to sue, they'll have to initiate their own lawsuits. And I think they'd be wanting to sue Charlie Sheen as the cause of the loss of their jobs and their income.
Posted by: momof20yo | March 10, 2011 5:10 PM | Report abuse
Free Charlie Sheen!
Posted by: steve1231 | March 10, 2011 9:30 PM | Report abuse
The sad thing is that we are watching someone self-destruct in public with the prurient intensity of a bystander at a train wreck. The guy is delusional and needs hospitalization, not more publicity. I hope all the vultures enjoy the slow twisting in the wind. The best chance he has is to get arrested and hope he can come out the other side like Robert Downey Jr., who doesn't do it on his own, by the way. But in the meantime, I'm starting my own Charlie Sheen boycott ... there's nothing "winning" about his portrayal of an insane loser at present.
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Posted by: chicgoods | March 11, 2011 7:38 AM | Report abuse
Amazingly, Sheen likely has a good case. CBS was stupid enough to phrase his firing as being in relation to Sheen being bipolar.
Being bipolar is considered a disability.
Huge and totally preventable mistake.
Posted by: TheHillman | March 11, 2011 9:26 AM | Report abuse
... and the shark sings "I believe I can fly".
Posted by: whocares666 | March 11, 2011 10:13 AM | Report abuse
"Watching Charlie Sheen self-destruct in public has been one of the more painful things I have seen...."
WHAT??? Hundreds of people we just killed in an earthquake/tsunami today and this is one of the more painful things you've seen? Exaggerate much?
Posted by: impeachemall | March 11, 2011 12:42 PM | Report abuse
Charlie Sheen news coverage vs. Japan Tsunami/Earthquake --- Sheen WINNING!
Posted by: snowbucks | March 11, 2011 1:23 PM | Report abuse
Umm, impeachthemall, you might want to note that reussere's comment re: "one of the most painful things [he/she has] seen" was posted yesterday afternoon, way before the earthquake/tsuanmi occurred. So, unless you're complaining that the previous poster's sense of empathy/sympathy should also contain a prescient component whereby he/she can weigh his/her pain against acts that haven't occurred yet, then please get off your high horse and just calm the eff down.
Posted by: klaw009x | March 11, 2011 2:52 PM | Report abuse
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