SAG sides with Fred's widow regarding airing of WH

[Ireneparalegal]

just a short article i found regarding Essie Berry and her fight. it pretty much says what the other article says, just a different article:

MARCH 16, 2006
INJUSTICE CONTINUES IN BLACK HOLLYWOOD AS THE ESTATE OF FRED "RE-RUN" BERRY IS EXPLOITED

Beverly Hills, CA (BlackNews.com) - In an attempt to get answers on why her late husband's signature has been forged on contracts from Sony/Columbia pictures, Essie Berry, the widow of 70's sitcom icon, Fred "Re-Run" Berry has no other alternative but to speak the truth and seek legal action. Essie Berry is naming names and big names at that. Advised by many industry professionals not to reveal the truth of what has happened, Essie Berry calmly and respectively responds, "if it is the truth, why not tell it".

Essie Berry has been in mourning of her beloved husband since his untimely death in October of 2003 but says enough is enough. The exploitation of her belated husbands name and likeness and image on releases of "What's Happening" DVD's, family television games sold at Wal-Mart showcasing the late actor's picture. Also, the re-release of the iconic television show, "What's Happening" on TV-Land that starred her husband, Fred Berry. The blatant exploitation is something Mrs. Berry can no longer deal with.

"There is no reason why these shows or games should be in stores or on television because no one came to me for permission and or authorization. As the widow and executor of his estate, this is a violation. After some of my own investigation, I found forged and unauthorized contracts from Sony/Columbia Pictures and other entertainment companies in the industry that were reviewed by a world renowned signature expert who will swear and testify under oath that the documents are in fact forged". Ms Berry has been advised to place the documents in an undisclosed location for safe-keeping.

The contention of the estate of Fred "Re-Run" Berry is that the family should be compensated for the late actor's likeness and image. "Unfortunately, in the billion-dollar entertainment industry, our black actors and black actresses are always given the short end of the monetary stick, for example look at how many black people have stars on Hollywood. Fred should be on that 'Walk Of Fame'. I'm not only fighting for the estate and family of Fred Berry, but I'm fighting for all of those other widows and children of famous actors and entertainers who are getting robbed everyday by the big entertainment companies," states Berry.

Asked why she chose to come out after two years of silence, Essie Berry simply states, "I was tired of seeing what they were doing with my husband's likeness and image and not compensating his family for it. It's the principal of the entire issue, but more importantly it's about the lies and vicious cycle of exploitation that the industry does to our black actors and actresses". Sources at both SAG and Aftra have informed and confirmed that no network should have aired anything without her permission, as executor of Fred Berry's estate.

The matter is currently being investigated and hopefully will come to an amicable resolution. In the meantime, Essie Berry continues to fight for the justice for her husband's legacy and the injustices that continue throughout Hollywood.

[Brian Damage]

I am not surprised the SAG would support Essie. Fred was a member and the SAG is a union and a union is supposed to always support its members.

[Ireneparalegal]

funny thing is i searched and searched and nothing references Essie as his wife. everything says he was survived by children, no mention of a wife. could she be his common-law wife rather than actually married to him.

[Brian Damage]

Originally Posted by Ireneparalegal

funny thing is i searched and searched and nothing references Essie as his wife. everything says he was survived by children, no mention of a wife. could she be his common-law wife rather than actually married to him.

If that is the case, she is entitled to nothing.