Ryan Murphy, FX Sued by Olivia de Havilland Over ‘Feud’ Portrayal
Olivia de Havilland has a real-life feud brewing with FX and Ryan Murphy.
“Gone With the Wind” actress de Havilland has filed a lawsuit against the cable outlet and “Feud” producer Ryan Murphy, alleging that her identity was used without her authorization in the FX miniseries, the Los Angeles Times reports.
The suit, filed against FX Networks and Ryan Murphy Productions in Los Angeles Superior Court on Friday, also alleges that the 100-year-old actress, who was portrayed by Catherine Zeta-Jones in the miniseries, was placed in “a false light to sensationalize the series and to promote [the defendants’] own businesses.”
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The first installment of the anthology series, which premiered earlier this year, centered on the rivalry between Bette Davis (portrayed by Susan Sarandon) and Joan Crawford (Jessica Lange).
“Miss de Havilland was not asked by FX for permission to use her name and identity and was not compensated for such use,” de Havilland’s attorneys said in a statement. “Further, the FX series puts words in the mouth of Miss de Havilland which are inaccurate and contrary to the reputation she has built over an 80-year professional life, specifically refusing to engage in gossip mongering about other actors in order to generate media attention for herself.”
De Havilland’s lawyers intend to seek an expedited trial date, given the age of the actress, who turns 101 on Saturday.
Also Read:'Feud' Star Jackie Hoffman on How Jessica Lange Unintentionally Made Her Cry (Exclusive Video)
FX had no comment on the lawsuit. TheWrap has reached out to a spokesman for Murphy.
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