Harry Shearer Sues Over ‘Spinal Tap’ for $125 million

Actor and comedian Harry Shearer has filed a lawsuit against entertainment giant Vivendi over the revenue from his 1984 cult-classic This Is Spinal Tap. Shearer claims he is owed $125 million in damages for the Rob Reiner-directed seminal mockumentary, though Vivendi says the 72-year-old actor and creator was entitled to a share of just $81 in merchandising income. Vivendi acquired the film, which followed a fictional British rock band, in 1989. “I think it’s important to challenge the status quo, not just for myself but for all my fellow artists, musicians and creators,” Shearer tweeted.