Actor Woody Harrelson sued by paparazzo

Photographer contends he was videotaping Harrelson and was accosted. The suit seeks $2.5 million.

By Jason Song, Los Angeles Times Staff Writer|June 21, 2008

A paparazzo filed suit Friday against Woody Harrelson, asking for $2.5 million and alleging that the Academy Award-nominated actor struck him in Hollywood nearly two years ago.

Josh Levine, who was working for the celebrity news website tmz.com, was filming Harrelson near Las Palmas Avenue and Hollywood Boulevard about 11 p.m. on June 29, 2006, according to the suit filed in Superior Court. Levine alleges that the actor broke his video camera, choked him, then ordered his bodyguard to attack him. Levine contends the star thrust the camera into his ribs.

Levine's suit said he still has mental, physical, nervous and emotional pain and suffering. He is also suing the unidentified bodyguard.

Representatives for Harrelson, who was nominated for his role in "The People vs. Larry Flynt" and has also starred in films such as "White Men Can't Jump" and "Natural Born Killers," could not be immediately contacted.

jason.song@latimes.com