Playwright Sues Valerie Harper for Not Disclosing Cancer Diagnosis - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 04-28-2014, 10:34 PM

Valerie Harper Sued for $2 Million by Matthew Lombardo for not Informing Him She Had Cancer
by Zayda Rivera, Bill Hutchinson / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
Monday - April 28, 2014

Actress Valerie Harper has been hit with a $2 million lawsuit by Broadway bigshot Matthew Lombardo, who charges she didn’t tell him she had cancer until after she signed on to star in his play.

Lombardo charges Harper and her husband, Tony Cacciotti, hid her bout with lung cancer until it spread to her brain, forcing her to bail out of last year’s national tour of Looped.

At the time she left the play he wrote, doctors had given the 74-year-old "Rhoda" star just months to live.

The suit filed in Manhattan Federal Court charges that although Harper and Cacciotti “were both aware” she had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, neither bothered to disclose it to Lombardo.

Harper and her husband “knowingly withheld the truth” about her cancer, the suit charges.

Lombardo’s suit was a counterclaim to one Harper filed demanding she still be paid for the production she dropped out of for health reasons.

Harper could not be reached for comment Sunday.

She was in rehearsals for a national tour of Looped when diagnosed in January 2013 with brain cancer. In the production, Harper played Hollywood legend Tallulah Bankhead, a role that garnered her a 2010 Tony Award nomination.

The suit contends Lombardo sought to get Tovah Feldshuh to take on the role, but went with Harper when she insisted taking the job.

In the lawsuit, playwright Lombardo claims he didn’t know about Harper’s earlier battle with lung cancer until December 2012, just before the release of her autobiography.

Prior to her brain cancer diagnosis, Harper was exhibiting signs of health problems, such as slurred speech and memory loss, that were hampering the show’s rehearsals.

Lombardo claims he urged Harper to seek medical attention. Harper dropped out of the production the same month she was diagnosed, leaving Lombardo scrambling for a replacement.

Stefanie Powers stepped in, but Lombardo and the play’s producers said they lost at least $500,000 due to having to replace Harper on short notice. Lombardo and the producers of Looped are also suing for an additional $1.5 million because they say Harper misled them.

Harper has gone on to bravely participate in ABC’s "Dancing With the Stars". She’s also returned to the small screen with a guest appearance in the Hallmark Channel series "Signed, Sealed and Delivered", which aired Sunday night.

Earlier this month, Harper denied reports that she had beat cancer and was in the clear. “I am not ‘absolutely cancer-free,’” she said in a statement. “I wish I were.”

http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...icle-1.1770673

ajgenard · 05-10-2014, 01:30 AM

LOL I can't help but laugh at these people who seem to go out of their way to prove they are deserving of the title "slimy producer." At least have the class to make your argument in court against Valerie's claim if you don't think she's deserving of any money (cuz, you know, this is America and it's your right as a citizen to have your side of the story heard in court). This countersuit is pretty indicative of a defendant in a last ditch effort to get off the hook for ponying up any cash. I'm sure a year from now we'll hear the standard "settled out of court for an undisclosed account."

Surely this guy had to realize just how bad it looks counter-suing a woman who still isn't clear of a terminal illness. Nobody wants to go to court and have their name dragged through the mud but filing a frivolous counterclaim does all the talking needed. He pretty much burned down the village to save it.

OH Nuts! · 05-18-2014, 04:36 PM

The producer is such a dic*wip*. Shame on him! Hope this disgusting ploy comes back to haunt him.

Marvo301 · 05-18-2014, 05:04 PM

Trying to make money off another persons illness is just wrong on every single level!!!

LittleRickyII · 05-28-2014, 07:54 PM

I remember one other high profile legal battle some folks got into with Valerie Harper. It didn't turn our well for THEM.

04-28-2014, 10:34 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 57,136	Playwright Sues Valerie Harper for Not Disclosing Cancer Diagnosis Valerie Harper Sued for $2 Million by Matthew Lombardo for not Informing Him She Had Cancer by Zayda Rivera, Bill Hutchinson / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS Monday - April 28, 2014 Actress Valerie Harper has been hit with a $2 million lawsuit by Broadway bigshot Matthew Lombardo, who charges she didn’t tell him she had cancer until after she signed on to star in his play. Lombardo charges Harper and her husband, Tony Cacciotti, hid her bout with lung cancer until it spread to her brain, forcing her to bail out of last year’s national tour of Looped. At the time she left the play he wrote, doctors had given the 74-year-old "Rhoda" star just months to live. The suit filed in Manhattan Federal Court charges that although Harper and Cacciotti “were both aware” she had been diagnosed with lung cancer in 2009, neither bothered to disclose it to Lombardo. Harper and her husband “knowingly withheld the truth” about her cancer, the suit charges. Lombardo’s suit was a counterclaim to one Harper filed demanding she still be paid for the production she dropped out of for health reasons. Harper could not be reached for comment Sunday. She was in rehearsals for a national tour of Looped when diagnosed in January 2013 with brain cancer. In the production, Harper played Hollywood legend Tallulah Bankhead, a role that garnered her a 2010 Tony Award nomination. The suit contends Lombardo sought to get Tovah Feldshuh to take on the role, but went with Harper when she insisted taking the job. In the lawsuit, playwright Lombardo claims he didn’t know about Harper’s earlier battle with lung cancer until December 2012, just before the release of her autobiography. Prior to her brain cancer diagnosis, Harper was exhibiting signs of health problems, such as slurred speech and memory loss, that were hampering the show’s rehearsals. Lombardo claims he urged Harper to seek medical attention. Harper dropped out of the production the same month she was diagnosed, leaving Lombardo scrambling for a replacement. Stefanie Powers stepped in, but Lombardo and the play’s producers said they lost at least $500,000 due to having to replace Harper on short notice. Lombardo and the producers of Looped are also suing for an additional $1.5 million because they say Harper misled them. Harper has gone on to bravely participate in ABC’s "Dancing With the Stars". She’s also returned to the small screen with a guest appearance in the Hallmark Channel series "Signed, Sealed and Delivered", which aired Sunday night. Earlier this month, Harper denied reports that she had beat cancer and was in the clear. “I am not ‘absolutely cancer-free,’” she said in a statement. “I wish I were.” http://www.nydailynews.com/entertain...icle-1.1770673

05-18-2014, 05:04 PM	#4
Marvo301 I'm NOT a Blockhead! Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 17, 2002 Location: The Great White North Posts: 21,456	Trying to make money off another persons illness is just wrong on every single level!!!
	__________________ Only a life lived for others is worth living. Albert Einstein A life isn't worth living unless it has impact on other lives. Jackie Robinson Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. Benjamin Franklin

05-10-2014, 01:30 AM	#2
ajgenard Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jul 09, 2011 Location: PA Posts: 369	LOL I can't help but laugh at these people who seem to go out of their way to prove they are deserving of the title "slimy producer." At least have the class to make your argument in court against Valerie's claim if you don't think she's deserving of any money (cuz, you know, this is America and it's your right as a citizen to have your side of the story heard in court). This countersuit is pretty indicative of a defendant in a last ditch effort to get off the hook for ponying up any cash. I'm sure a year from now we'll hear the standard "settled out of court for an undisclosed account." Surely this guy had to realize just how bad it looks counter-suing a woman who still isn't clear of a terminal illness. Nobody wants to go to court and have their name dragged through the mud but filing a frivolous counterclaim does all the talking needed. He pretty much burned down the village to save it.

05-18-2014, 04:36 PM	#3
OH Nuts! Member Forum King Join Date: Feb 15, 2005 Posts: 133,383	The producer is such a dicwip. Shame on him! Hope this disgusting ploy comes back to haunt him.

05-28-2014, 07:54 PM	#5
LittleRickyII Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 22, 2009 Location: California Posts: 2,246	I remember one other high profile legal battle some folks got into with Valerie Harper. It didn't turn our well for THEM.