TV Producer Sues Universal Over ‘Rockford’ Profits
The creator of the 1970s television hit “The Rockford Files” sued Universal Studios on Tuesday, claiming he is owed $5 million in profits.
The suit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims Roy Huggins originated the series concept and was promised 25% of net profits from the detective show.
Huggins was executive producer, scriptwriter and consultant for the series, which starred James Garner.
Huggins claims that the show, which ran from 1974 to 1980, grossed more than $120 million.
The suit, filed by attorney Donald Engel, alleges that Universal sent Huggins false accounting statements to conceal the fact that he was not being fully paid. The suit seeks $5 million in compensatory damages and an unspecified amount of punitive damages.
Last year, Garner reached a multimillion-dollar settlement with Universal over delayed profit payments from the series.
Terms were not disclosed, but Garner’s suit had sought $16.5 million and he previously had rejected a $6-million offer.
The biggest entertainment stories
Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
