The suit, filed Friday by Belushi and his company Bessie Blu, claims the “According to Jim” actor made an agreement between 2012 and 2013 with Comedy Bar co-owner Kyle Lane, requiring Belushi to promote the comedy club in exchange for payments. Belushi was required to make television appearances, agree to give radio and newspaper interviews and visit about 24 “high-end” Chicago hotels, the suit said.
Belushi, who lives in Los Angeles, claims he is owed $38,142 for his promotional work, which includes travel and lodging expenses.
Additionally, in the fall of 2014, Lane made a draft agreement with Belushi’s company Bessie Blu that would allow the Comedy Bar to use the trademark phrase “Belushi’s Comedy Bar” in return for royalty payments. The agreement also said Bessie Blu would pay for lighting the Comedy Bar’s stage for its new location.
That trademark agreement fell through in January 2015, according to a defamation suit Belushi filed Thursday.
Bessie Blu paid $16,759.94 for the lights on November 21, 2014, before the agreement was ever finalized. Also that fall, Bessie Blue and Belushi loaned money to Lane as part of the overall agreement, and it was understood that the money would be repaid “in a timely fashion,” the suit claims.
The suit claims Lane refuses to repay the loan or sign a document that would “memorialize” any oral agreement they had related to the payments.
The Comedy Bar and Lane could not be reached for comment Friday evening.
Belushi’s three-count suit claims Lane and The Comedy Bar breached a contract and have unjustly benefited from Belushi’s services. He is asking for an unspecified amount in damages.
On Thursday, Belushi filed a lawsuit claiming The Comedy Bar’s general manager Sahar Chavoshi defamed the actor after talks to use his trademark name for the club fell through.
Belushi is requesting more than $50,000 in damages in that suit.
