Guglielmi v. Spelling-Goldberg Productions

Opinion

THE COURT.

Appellant allegedly is the nephew of the actor Rudolph Valentino, who died in 1926. According to the complaint herein, in 1975, respondents exhibited on television a “fictionalized version” of Valentino’s life, depicting the actor’s name, likeness and personality without obtaining the prior consent of either Valentino or appellant. In the present action, appellant seeks damages and injunctive relief on the theory that respondents have misappropriated Valentino’s “right of publicity,” and that appellant as Valentino’s legal heir is the present owner of that right. Respondents’…