Feb. 23, 1965 - Jackie Mason (right), the comedian, made good on his vow of November and filed a $3 million libel suit today in New York Supreme Court against Ed Sullivan (left) and Bob Precht, the producer of Sullivan’s Sunday night T.V. show.
Mason said that after the telecast on which he appeared Oct. 18, Sullivan accused him of making obscene gestures during the program and said in the presence of others, “I’ll destroy you in show business.” Sullivan also allegedly said, “I’ll hurt you in every way I can. You did dirty things on my program.”
Mason said Sullivan’s alleged claims about improper conduct during the show were false.
In the complaint filed in Supreme Court, Mason charged Sullivan with “maliciously and wickedly contriving to injure, blacken, and defame his character, reputation, profession, and calling.”
Sullivan and Precht had no comment about the suit. Mason had a contract to make six guest appearances with Sullivan at $7,500 for each show until the incident occurred. Sullivan tore up the pact and refused to pay Mason for the Oct. 18 stint, his first.
Since October, Mason has appeared on the “Hollywood Palace” T.V. show and has played nightclubs in Las Vegas, Miami, Puerto Rico, and Philadelphia. He opens next month at Basin Street East.
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