Jack Klugman sues NBC over ‘Quincy’ profits

updated 8:25 p.m. ET March 28, 2008

LOS ANGELES - Former “Quincy, M.E.” star Jack Klugman sued NBC Universal Friday, claiming the studio is lying about the show’s profits and owes him money.

Klugman, 85, played the crime-busting Dr. R. Quincy on the show from 1976 to 1983.

His 1976 contract with NBC entitles him and his company, Sweater Productions, to 25 percent of the show’s “net profits,” according to the suit filed in Superior Court. Klugman claims his copy of the contract was lost when his agent died, and NBC has refused to provide a copy. (Msnbc.com is a joint venture between Microsoft and NBC Universal.)

The lawsuit aims to force NBC to divulge the contract and award Klugman attorneys’ fees. It also asks the court to clarify the terms of the agreement.

“I recently heard that they made $250 million and it’s still on TV in Germany. I don’t want their money. I want my money,” Klugman told The Associated Press. “I worked my tail off. I got up at four in the morning and stayed at the studio. I did rewrite, I edited.”

Calls to NBC Universal Friday seeking comment Friday were not immediately returned.

NBC provided Klugman with an accounting statement showing the series had lost $66 million through 2006, according to the suit. However, Klugman said he believes NBC is lying, and that it made money.

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