Injustice
Continues in Black Hollywood as the Estate of Fred "Re-Run"
Berry is Exploited
Fred "Re-Run"
Berry
Fred "Re-Run"
Berry
Beverly Hills, CA (BlackNews.com) - In an attempt
to get answers on why her late husband's signature has been
forged on contracts from Sony/Columbia pictures, Essie Berry,
the widow of 70's sitcom icon, Fred "Re-Run" Berry has no
other alternative but to speak the truth and seek legal action.
Essie Berry is naming names and big names at that. Advised
by many industry professionals not to reveal the truth of
what has happened, Essie Berry calmly and respectively responds,
"if it is the truth, why not tell it".
Essie Berry has been in mourning of her beloved husband
since his untimely death in October of 2003 but says enough
is enough. The exploitation of her belated husbands name and
likeness and image on releases of "What's Happening" DVD's,
family television games sold at Wal-Mart showcasing the late
actor's picture. Also, the re-release of the iconic television
show, "What's Happening" on TV-Land that starred her husband,
Fred Berry. The blatant exploitation is something Mrs. Berry
can no longer deal with.
"There
is no reason why these shows or games should be in stores
or on television because no one came to me for permission
and or authorization. As the widow and executor of his
estate, this is a violation. After some of my own investigation,
I found forged and unauthorized contracts from Sony/Columbia
Pictures and other entertainment companies in the industry
that were reviewed by a world renowned signature expert
who will swear and testify under oath that the documents
are in fact forged". Ms Berry has been advised to place
the documents in an undisclosed location for safe-keeping.
The contention of the estate of Fred "Re-Run" Berry
is that the family should be compensated for the late
actor's likeness and image. "Unfortunately, in the billion-dollar
entertainment industry, our black actors and black actresses
are always given the short end of the monetary stick,
for example look at how many black people have stars
on Hollywood. Fred should be on that 'Walk Of Fame'.
I'm not only fighting for the estate and family of Fred
Berry, but I'm fighting for all of those other widows
and children of famous actors and entertainers who are
getting robbed everyday by the big entertainment companies,"
states Berry.
Asked why she chose to come out after two years of silence,
Essie Berry simply states, "I was tired of seeing what
they were doing with my husband's likeness and image
and not compensating his family for it. It's the principal
of the entire issue, but more importantly it's about
the lies and vicious cycle of exploitation that the
industry does to our black actors and actresses". Sources
at both SAG and Aftra have informed and confirmed that
no network should have aired anything without her permission,
as executor of Fred Berry's estate.
The matter is currently being investigated and hopefully
will come to an amicable resolution. In the meantime,
Essie Berry continues to fight for the justice for her
husband's legacy and the injustices that continue throughout
Hollywood.
For West Coast Inquiries, contact Tracy Rhodes at (323)
753-2370.
For East Coast Inquiries, please contact Jackie Audson
at (678) 933-1597.
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