Richard Dreyfuss Sues Own Father, Uncle

LOS ANGELES — Richard Dreyfuss is suing his father and uncle over an $870,000 loan he claims was never repaid. The lawsuit centers around a loan Dreyfuss claims he made to his relatives in 1984, who owned an interest in a downtown Los Angeles office building.

Roughly 24 years later, Dreyfuss says that loan _ and interest _ remains unpaid.

In his lawsuit filed Friday, Dreyfuss says his uncle, Gilbert Dreyfuss, has repeatedly refused to turn over records that would show its financial status.

Phone and e-mail messages left for Gilbert Dreyfuss were not immediately returned. A woman who answered the phone at an address registered to Dreyfuss' father, Norman, said he could not be reached there.

Dreyfuss alleges his uncle and father, Norman Dreyfuss, have acted with "fraud" and "malice." He is seeking a repayment of the loan, plus interest and punitive damages.

Comments

[patanderson]

Sad...afte­r 24 years he goes after his aged father and uncle. Wonder if he needs the money and thinks these 2 have it to give back.

Good lessons here;
1. NEVER loan money to friends or family
2 If you MUST loan money to anyone....­.GET A SIGNED RECEIPT AND MAKE SURE IT SPELLS OUT THE REPAYMENT SCHEDULE AND IF ANY, INTEREST THAT WILL BE PAID.
3. Keep records of payments made and on-going balance, calls or letters that were used regarding the loan.

[addisonsteele]

Richard Dreyfuss is 61 years old, which means that his father is probably 80 years old or older. His father is a widower, having lost his wife, Dreyfuss's mother, six years ago. Unless Dreyfuss squandered all of his movie earnings, he will not go without if he is not paid back by his aged father. Time to let it go and be grateful that he still has a living father.

Now, the uncle is another story.

[Maezeppa]

No statute of limitations? Interesting.

[instagladiator]

Facts:
- never argue over religion
- never argue over politics
and - never never loan money to a relative

[rooks]

If you need the money, you are screwed anyway Dreyfuss.

[hiprogloho]

So let me get this straight. If you get screwed for almost a million dollars by flesh and blood who are supposed to love and respect you as your example setting forebearers, said relatives deserve a free pass? I don't think so. The sad untold story here is Mr. Dreyfuss was swindled by his own family.

[rooks]

Wrong, so wrong. You screw yourself lending that money to F & F

[thankulord13]

Thank you... I said the same thing. He shouldn't loan anything you can't give.

[sarasotajeff]

no, it's not wrong. he trusted people he should have been able to trust to keep their word... THEY were wrong for the way they used him if all this is true...

[drd1044]

He has admitted he was a heavy duty cocaine addict in at least the seventies if not the eighties (when he was the most popular). That is where most of the money he made when he was a star went. He has been a "character" actor since the early 90's and beyond and has probably made not much money. As someone who "lent" a lot of money to my family when I had it and haven't got it back now when I need it, I somewhat understand him.

[elcojonu]

Do they still celebrate passover together I wonder ?

[thankulord13]

After reading some of the comments I just had to say something. We live in a sad society when we start putting a price tag on family (especially our parents.) Now Mr. Dreyfus should never loan more than he can give. It has taken him twenty four years to sue his father and uncle, why so long? I am sure he has a great accountant who has more than likely written this so called loan off as a business expense or charitable contribution. In other words I find it hard to believe that this man has not gotten this money back in taxes because rich people always work their magic when it comes to taxes and tax breaks.

[MsLiz]

I hope no one ever takes tax advice from you.

[Seral]

Another strange family affairs. Still, based on my own experience with some of my longer distance family members, I think, what must have happened in their lives should make this an understandable request. It is not like you will always be blessed with the right kind of parents or children.

[the964kid]

Sucks being rich and famous huh?

Even a super-hero like Batman can't get a break.

[msfiskvletterman]

8/9/08
4:55pm
University of Oregon

Hope you get your money Richard.

[MsLiz]

I doubt that there is any money. Just a building.

[marred]

man I never want to have kids!

[Jeradlangley]

Maybe you should stop trying to be funny then.

[Kire]

"Never loan money to family (and expect it to be paid back).

It makes thanksgiving turkey taste a little funny."

-Dave Ramsey (paraphrase)