Hogan sued over crash

Hogan sued over crash

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Hulk Hogan is being sued by the man who was critically injured in a car crash involving the wrestler’s son. John Graziano’s attorneys filed a lawsuit Monday in Clearwater against Hogan, whose real name is Terry Bollea. The lawsuit says he and his estranged wife, Linda, are liable as the parents of 17-year-old Nick Bollea. Graziano was a passenger in Nick Bollea’s Toyota Supra when Bollea lost control and crashed into a tree on a downtown Clearwater street Aug. 26. Lawyers say the Iraq war veteran — who wasn’t wearing a seat belt — was left in a semiconscious state and will require care for the rest of his life. An attorney says millions of dollars will be sought. Nick Bollea is facing a criminal charge of reckless driving involving serious bodily injury.

Pumpkins sue label

LOS ANGELES — The Smashing Pumpkins are suing Virgin Records, saying the record label has illegally used their name and music in promotional deals that hurt the band’s credibility with fans. In a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday, the rockers said they have “worked hard for over two decades to accumulate a considerable amount of goodwill in the eyes of the public,” and that Virgin’s use of the band in a “Pepsi Stuff” promotion with Amazon.com and Pepsi Co. threatens their reputation for “artistic integrity.” Virgin released the Smashing Pumpkins’ music for more than 17 years, but the only active agreement between the two parties, the lawsuit claims, is a deal granting Virgin permission to sell digital downloads of the band’s songs. The agreement does not give Virgin the right to use the band in promotional campaigns to sell outside products, the suit said.

Knoxville’s divorce final

LOS ANGELES — “Jackass” star Johnny Knoxville is officially single. A judgment finalizing the dissolution of the actor’s 12-year marriage to Melanie Lynn Clapp was entered in Superior Court last Thursday, according to court documents. Messages left Monday for Knoxville’s publicist and attorney were not immediately returned. Knoxville, whose birth name is Philip John Clapp, filed for divorce last July citing irreconcilable differences. The couple separated in July 2006. Knoxville, 37, was seeking joint custody of the pair’s 12-year-old daughter.

Today’s birthdays

Jazz musician James Moody is 83. Retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor is 78. Actor-director Leonard Nimoy is 77. Actor Alan Arkin is 74. Actor James Caan is 68. Author Erica Jong is 66. Singer Diana Ross is 64. Rock singer Steven Tyler (Aerosmith) is 60. Singer and TV personality Vicki Lawrence is 59. TV personality Leeza Gibbons is 51. Country singer Kenny Chesney is 40. Actor T.R. Knight is 35. Actress Amy Smart is 32. Actress Keira Knightley is 23.