Judge Dismisses Michael Douglas' Ex-Wife's Bid for 'Wall Street' Paycheck

By John Mitchell Posted Nov 15th 2010 04:31PM

Oscar-winning actor Michael Douglas has emerged victorious from a court battle with his ex-wife over his earnings from his most recent film, 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps.' Today, according to the New York Post, Manhattan Supreme Court Judge Matthew Cooper ruled that a New York courtroom was not an appropriate setting for the suit because Michael and Diandra Douglas' divorce was finalized in California and dismissed the case.

Diandra had claimed she was entitled to 50 percent of Michael's earnings from the 'Wall Street' sequel as part of her divorce settlement from the actor. Michael and Diandra divorced in 2000, and he is currently married to actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, with whom he has two children, Dylan, 9, and Carys, 7. The actor recently completed eight weeks of chemotherapy and radiation after a walnut-sized tumor was discovered in his throat this summer.

Diandra Douglas now must consider whether she wants to drop the suit entirely or relaunch it in California.

Diandra's case reportedly hinged on a clause in former couple's divorce settlement that entitles her to 50 percent of any earnings Michael receives from any movies he did -- including residuals, merchandising and ancillary rights -- during their 23-year marriage. According to Diandra's lawyers, that provision includes any "spinoffs" of his films.

Michael's lawyer, Marilyn Chinitz, has argued for months that 'Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps' is a sequel, not a "spinoff." "They're not the same thing," she said at a June hearing. Chinitz believes Diandra has been deliberately misinterpreting the agreement in an effort to further cash in on the divorce, which remains one of the costliest in Hollywood history.

The pair's split was bitter, to say the least, with Diandra accusing Michael of sex and alcohol addiction and multiple infidelities. In 2007, Forbes magazine compiled a list of the 10 most expensive celebrity divorces and listed the Douglases' at number eight. Diandra walked away with an estimated $45 million and the couple's homes in Beverly Hills and Majorca.

Diandra's stake in residual proceeds from Michael's past projects has netted her $6.3 million since the divorce, according to Chinitz.

"He's thrilled," Chinitz told the Post of Michael's reaction to the verdict. "This is the right decision ... This action should have never been brought in the first place."

The lawyer added that Michael "sounded great" when she called to tell him the news earlier today.

Douglas has stayed out of the public eye in recent months as he recovers from throat cancer. Despite reports that his recovery was not going well – including word from 'Wall Street' director Oliver Stone that the actor's prognosis was "precarious" – and that he'd changed his will, Michael's longtime friend and publicist Allen Burry told PEOPLE in October that doctors "are very pleased with how he responded to treatment. They think he's doing really well. He's doing as well as can be expected."

Burry later told RadarOnline that Michael has been visiting his son Cameron, who is serving a five-year sentence at a Pennsylvania prison for dealing large quantities of methamphetamine and cocaine. "He's not going every day and not as often as he would like, but he is still visiting with him," Burry said.

Tags: cancer, divorce, Michael Douglas

Comments

(26)

Monday 15 November

By Harbo

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Thank god, the judge threw this case out. Even after hearing tales of greed and hubris on the news night after night, I couldn't really believe this woman had the balls to file such an action against Douglas. Talk about greed. I hope she loses on appeal, too.

By CGee

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This Burry dude is an idiot as a publicist! his statements cancel themselves out, "He is doing great, He is doing as well as can be expected"(For a guy with stage 4 cancer,you mean?)So, which is it great or great for stage 4?
"He's not going every day and not as often as he would like, but he is still visiting with him,"
Well is he or isn't he? Sounds like he went just the once! Not judging Douglas for that, but this Burry needs to get edited before he speaks again.

By jhgkjhfhgfhjgfdh

[w w w. d e a r s a l e s . c o m ]

Here have what you need!

It's very good!

By teri

good. she seems like a greedy you know what to me, she already got millions from him, seems like sour grapes to me

By bac

Greed, she should be ashamed of herself for even attempting this. Best wishes and Prayer to Michael on his health and thanks for entertaining us for so many years! Get well and stay well!

By Becca

It's been over ten years now since their divorce, and she still thinks she is entitled to his earnings? I'm sorry lady you had your chance, it's over, and it's time to move on. Is there a reason why she can't work and make her own earnings, like the majority of others have to do? I think he has already paid more than enough.

By Jesus Castillo

2 Words, Golddigger, other 2 words Old Hag... Get a life...

By angieb

Happy she lost, how much is enough, she was given enough money to last her a lifetime. Move on lady and leave this man alone.

By frank

Some just cannot let go and want to punish their ex for the rest of their lives. Sad!!

By jcgee88

Didn't someone say, "Greed is good"? Ironies of ironies! The dismissal should not be viewed as vindication for Michael, though, as all the judge said is that she sued in the wrong state. Hopefully, she will give up at this point, and let the guy focus on getting well. I do wonder why she filed in NY instead of CA?

By sharonie

She makes me sick !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By ruthie

How much money can 1 woman need. Especially after 10 years and his cancer diagnosis. He has enough on his plate with his cancer and son in jail - give Michael a break to battle his cancer. Get yourself a life woman and stop being a limpett. I was divorced over 20 years ago and received no help from my ex husband financially - lost my home, job and friends but made a new life 300 miles away on my own merits.

Tuesday 16 November

By M Storey

Why didn't the judge tell the former Mrs. Douglas to "get a job"!

By yorktown1979

Let the man die in peace for crying out loud! Hasn't she bled him dry enough? FORTY FIVE MILLION DOLLARS AND A HOME IN BEVERLY HILLS AND ONE IN MAJORCA AND NOW SHE WANTS MORE? What a cold heartless wench.

By Bebe

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Let the old coot pay, he has a habit of trading in the old for the young and this is not the first time.

By Andalusian Trainer

I met this lovely lady many years ago. She was far from greedy. While married to Michael, she was respectful of his success and wealth. I do not know what happened to them, but she appeared to be a very nice person.

By Sara

I meet Mr. Douglas in Israel in 1966 when his father Kirk Douglas and Yul Brainer were filming the movie "Cast a giant Shadow". I was in grade school and the studio was right acroos the str. I snuck in there and the guards wanted to throw me out. But Mr. Douglas, the father told them to let me in. They were very nice to me. I wish Michael Douglas a speedy recovery and all the best for him his wife and his children.

By Reality

As it should have been! What a ridiculous beotch.

By Denise

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Good! She got too much anyway.

By Jan

Doesn't that picture make her look like Steven Tyler? I first thought, "What is Michael Douglas and Steven Tyler doing together?"

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