George Wallace wins lawsuit for leg injury
A Nevada jury on Tuesday awarded $1.3 million in damages to comedian George Wallace for a leg injury he said he suffered while performing at a Las Vegas Strip resort in 2007.
The split decision in a civil negligence and personal injury lawsuit against the Bellagio Las Vegas hotel-casino came after two weeks of testimony and about 12 hours of deliberations.
The 61-year-old stand-up comic had sought at least $7.1 million, but he emerged from the courtroom Tuesday saying he was happy with the jury award and would be glad to work again at the Bellagio.
In a 6-2 decision, the eight-person jury found that Bellagio should pay $1.2 million to Wallace for lost income, $100,000 for pain and suffering, plus $8,500 for medical expenses.
Wallace testified that he’s permanently hobbled after tangling his leg in wiring onstage during a private performance for HSBC Card Services Inc.
Greg Poehler lands NBC comedy, too
Another Poehler sibling is bringing his comedy to television.
Greg Poehler, whose sister Amy stars on NBC’s “Parks and Recreation,” stars in “Welcome to Sweden,” debuting July 10 on the same network. He plays an accountant who follows his girlfriend back to her native Sweden despite having no job, friends or any idea what he’s getting into.
Poehler also created, wrote and serves as executive producer of the show based on his own life and shot mainly in Sweden. Amy Poehler, Will Ferrell, Aubrey Plaza and Gene Simmons make guest appearances as themselves. Amy Poehler is an executive producer on the show.
The show debuted in Sweden three weeks ago, drawing more than 2 million viewers.
Hospital releases Garcia Marquez
A medical official said Nobel laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez has left the hospital where he was treated for eight days for pneumonia and related problems.
Jaqueline Pineda, a spokeswoman for the National Institute for Medical Sciences and Nutrition, said doctors decided Tuesday to discharge the 87-year-old Colombian author, who appeared to be headed to his home in southern Mexico City. He has lived in Mexico for three decades. Pineda said the author’s health remains fragile due to his age.
The birthday bunch
Playboy magazine founder Hugh Hefner is 88. Satirical songwriter and mathematician Tom Lehrer is 86. Actor Jean-Paul Belmondo is 81. Actress Michael Learned is 75. Country singer Hal Ketchum is 61. Actor Dennis Quaid is 60. Actress-model Paulina Porizkova is 49. Actress Cynthia Nixon is 48. Actress Keshia Knight Pulliam is 35. Rock musician Albert Hammond Jr. (The Strokes) is 34. Actor-singer Jesse McCartney is 27. Actress Kristen Stewart is 24. Actress Elle Fanning is 16.