Marlon Wayans Sued for Tweet Comparing Extra to Cleveland of ‘Family Guy’

Actor/Wayans brother Marlon Wayans is being sued for … wait for it … tweeting that some dude looks like Cleveland from Family Guy.

Let me answer the obvious questions right away: 1) No, the lawsuit is in no way coming from the makers of Family Guy or FOX, and 2) Yes, the man in question looks remarkably like Peter Griffin’s mustachioed friend.

Now for the details. The plaintiff, Pierre Daniel, was an extra on Wayans’ recent film, A Haunted House 2. Also, the case is a bit more complex than I initially let on.

It stems from this old Twitter post:

Tell me this ni**a don’t look like… THIS NI**A!!! Ol cleveland Brown ass lookin @ahhmovie 2 @whatthefunny I’m hurt… say.ly/fBv6ENs

— Marlon Wayans (@MarlonWayans) September 04, 2013

(Note: Censorship added due to the paleness of this article’s author.)

Mr. Daniel (represented by attorneys at Reisner & King) was fired after complaining that he was subjected to repeated harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in his employment, including “repeated offensive language about his African-American race.”

It’s important at this point to note, for those unaware, that Marlon Wayans is also black.

In addition to the claims above, the suit also includes the following offenses:

1) Misappropriation of name and likeness: Obviously Wayans used Mr. Daniel’s photo without his permission, but because he tagged the movie in his tweet, the plaintiff is arguing that it was for a promotional purpose and he is entitled to compensation.

2) Breach of quasi contract: Relating to this first part, because it was Wayans that actually took the photo, Mr. Daniel alleges that it was “an implied-in-law contract (quasi-contract) [that] existed as a result of Defendants’ use of Plaintiff’s photograph to advertise their upcoming movie, Haunted House 2.”

2) Invasion of privacy of false light: Here’s an interesting kicker. According to the lawsuit, “By referencing Plaintiff as Cleveland Brown, the comparison drew inferences of Plaintiff possessing the same traits as Cleveland Brown, including being slow and having physical and emotional problems, thus showing Plaintiff in a false light.”

Now maybe Mr. Daniel has a point with the harsh language used. Yes, they’re both of the same race, but if the particular slur in question is as offensive as most of the world believes/is told it is, then perhaps the act of calling someone that should be condemned. Then again… America.

The rest of the complaints are an obvious money grab. Sure, the little guy in any situation should expect fair compensation for their work, especially when the offender is a moneybag movie star (although A Haunted House 2 was hardly a blockbuster) but this was simply an attempt at humor, and not some sort of well-orchestrated marketing campaign. Mr. Daniel, an actor appearing in a major motion picture, should be able to laugh it off like the rest of us. It was just a tweet, and just a joke. Most people would enjoy being part of a laugh, especially when it’s a celebrity making the comment. I know I would. In fact, Mr. Wayans, please feel free to draw humorous comparisons about how I look. Free reign, buddy.

Besides, if Mr. Daniel was truly offended, why bring more attention to the situation by filing a lawsuit that would no doubt receive national attention?

In the end, the real victim here is Cleveland Brown, who Mr. Daniel referred to as “being slow and having physical and emotional problems.” Come on now. Cleveland has a drawl because he’s from the south, and he doesn’t have any more physical and emotional problems than any other fat guy whose wife cheated on him and left him, and then have to move away from his friends, only have his own TV show canceled.

Mr. Daniel should consider himself lucky he doesn’t have to endure the same hardships as Mr. Brown, and can peacefully take a bath in his home without worrying about an obnoxious neighbor blowing a hole in the side of the house.

[via Uproxx]