To Jim Belushi, Thanks for the Publicity! Julie Newmar

'Hello, is Jim there?' 'This is he.' 'I'll kill your dog, you pervert!' 'Who is this?!? Stop calling this number! Newmar, if this is yo-' *click*

Actor Jim Belushi Sues Julie Newmar for Harassment

from Reuters

LOS ANGELES - Actor Jim Belushi has filed a $1 million lawsuit against his next-door neighbor, veteran actress Julie Newmar, accusing her of a "campaign of harassment" designed to drive Belushi from his home.

Belushi claims that Newmar, 71, who played the villainous Catwoman on the 1960s Batman TV series, destroyed a fence and landscaping on his property, spied on his family, and blared loud music into his backyard.

The star of the ABC sitcom According to Jim also accused Newmar of spreading "defamatory statements" about him, calling him a "peeping Tom," "voyeur" and "sick."

The suit, filed last week in Los Angeles County Superior Court and made public on Monday, describes Newmar's behavior as "an effort to force Belushi to move from his home." It said her conduct has grown "more alarming and her harassment and apparent obsession have become more intrusive" over time.


Newmar spots Belushi in the garden.

The lawsuit makes no mention of why Newmar would direct such conduct at Belushi.

Neither Newmar nor a spokesman was immediately available for comment.

Belushi's lawyer, Brian Wolf, said he knew of no specific reason why Newmar might be angry. "If she disapproves of some of her neighbors ... for whatever reason - I don't know if it's aesthetics or leaf blowers or what the issue is - she engages in this campaign of harassment and annoyance to try to force them to move," he told Reuters.

Newmar was involved in a highly publicized dispute with neighbors several years ago over the noise created by gardeners using gas-power leaf blowers.

The suit seeks at least $1 million in damages and a court order against Newmar.


'He said that? "Supervillain"?!? [laughs] Why, that's simply ridiculous, officer! That was only a character I played on TV. Clearly, Mr. Belushi is a troubled, troubled man. So very sad. Would you like some more tea? Officer? Officer? [laughs] Purrrfect!'