(CNBC) — Actor Frank Sivero has filed a lawsuit against the creators of "The Simpsons," alleging that Louie, a member of the Springfield Mafia in the hit cartoon series, is based on his interpretation of the character Frankie Carbone in the 1990 mobster film "Goodfellas."
The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in Los Angeles Superior Court. In it, Sivero claims he "is the originator of the idea and character of Louie." "The Simpsons" co-creator Matt Groening, 21st Century Fox and Fox Television Studios are named as defendants in the case.
"Louie" first appeared in the cartoon in 1991 as a Mafioso in the Springfield Mafia run by "Fat Tony." He went on to appear in 15 additional episodes, most recently in April.
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