February 14, 2025 The Best Source of News, Culture, Lifestyle for Culver City, Mar Vista, Del Rey, Palms and West Los Angeles

‘M*A*S*H’ Star Accused Of Fathering Son, Shirking Child Support

The latest courts news (Thinkstock).
The latest courts news (Thinkstock).

A lawsuit filed against the late Wayne Rogers by a onetime actress who says the former “M*A*S*H” star fathered her son and shirked his support obligations will continue despite the actor’s death, an attorney for the woman said Saturday.

Melinda Naud filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court in August 2013 against Rogers, who died Thursday at age 82 of complications from pneumonia. Rogers played Trapper John McIntyre on the long-running CBS series.

Naud , 55, had roles on had roles on “Happy Days” and “Operation Petticoat,” alleges breach of contract, fraud, concealment and false promise.   “The case brought by Melinda Naud on behalf of  Wayne’s son, Luigi Calabrese, will proceed against the estate,” said Naud’s attorney, Steven Haney.   Haney said a judge is scheduled to hear a motion March 10 to determine paternity. Rogers and Naud had a written agreement for support in which the actor agreed to take a paternity test within 30 days of a demand by her lawyers, according to Haney.

A demand was made on Rogers months ago, Haney said. The agreement states that if Rogers refuses or fails to take the test, he is deemed to be Calabrese’s father, according to Haney.

“We are confident that we will prevail,” Haney said.

Rogers’ attorney, Bryan Freedman, said he hopes Naud shows some discretion.

“Wayne was a fantastic actor and an incredibly smart and honorable businessman,” Freedman said. “Let’s hope that this plaintiff understands decency.”

According to the complaint, Naud and Rogers met at a celebrity tennis tournament in 1978 and began a relationship that lasted until 1985, when she became pregnant with their son.

The suit alleges Rogers, who was married since 1988 to Amy Hirsch, “hid his relationship with Naud and his son’s existence from his wife … and pretended as if his son did not exist.”

“Rogers also begged Naud to keep their son’s identity a secret as Rogers explained that his wife Hirsch would go crazy if she knew he had a child, as Hirsch desperately wanted a child, but could not as Rogers had a vasectomy before his marriage with her,” the plaintiff claims.

Rogers said he would cooperate to work out a support agreement for Luigi, but negotiations were difficult and a written agreement was not attained until May 1993, according to the plaintiff.

Naud says Rogers agreed to pay $75,000 immediately and to make subsequent payments for the boy’s general support as well as his college education all the way through graduate school, along with a $1 million life insurance policy.

Rogers insisted that the support checks be forwarded to Naud through an intermediary, the cost of which was ultimately absorbed by her, according to the suit.

Naud also married, but her husband died in February 1997, prompting her to ask for additional child support from Rogers for Luigi, the suit says.

Rogers denied the request, but said he would set up a $1 million trust in their son’s name, provide him a home upon the actor’s death and reimburse Naud for eight years he did not pay her child support, according to the complaint.

Luigi was stricken in October 2007 with endocarditis, an inflammation of the heart lining, muscles and valves caused by bacteria, and later had to have open-heart surgery, according to the complaint.

In July 2008, Rogers called and asked about their son’s condition, and Naud told him that a second surgery was pending and that their son would need medical care for life, her suit says.

“After this phone call, Rogers cut off all communication with Naud and his son,” according to the suit.  “In fact, Rogers failed to so much as pick up the phone to speak with Luigi. Rogers viewed his son as damaged goods and a financial liability.”

Despite his condition, Luigi graduated from UCLA in 2012 with a degree in history, but Rogers refused to pay for his education or for the $1 million life insurance policy, according to his mother.

Naud also alleges Rogers understated his income at the time of the support agreement was entered when he said he was making $300,000 annually.   Haney said Rogers was scheduled to give a deposition in the case in Florida two days before the actor’s death, but that it never took place.   Freedman said that despite Naud’s allegations, Rogers was a caring person.   “During his life he helped so many people, including those who unfortunately only cared about themselves,” Freedman said. “One would think that, out of respect here, enough is enough, but some people have greed beyond any and all boundaries.”

“M*A*S*H” aired from September 1972 to February 1983. In recent years, Rogers also ran an investment strategy firm and other business interests and was a stock commentator and analyst on the Fox News Channel.

Related Posts

UCLA Suspends Pro-Palestinian Student Groups Following Protest at UC Regent’s Home

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Chancellor Cites Potential Student Code Violations; Student Groups Reject Allegations UCLA has suspended two pro-Palestinian student organizations following a protest...

Flash Flood Warning Issued for Burn Areas, LAFD Officer Swept off Road by Debris

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Storm Damage Closes Pacific Coast Highway, Officials Urge Caution Not even members of the LAFD are being spared from the...

Culver City Police Investigate Disturbing Incident in Culver City Park

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Police Secure Area as Investigation Unfolds on Thursday Morning The Culver City Police Department received a call around 7:23 a.m....

Here are Your Last Minute Ideas if You Still Haven’t Planned Your Valentine’s Day Date

February 13, 2025

February 13, 2025

Luscious Cookies, Delightful Drinks, Full Dinners at Home or In House, We’ve Got Them Okay, maybe you have been a...

Beloved Baldwin Hills Family-Owned Restaurant Post & Beam to Close After 13 Years

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Community Icon Shuts Doors as Baldwin Hills Crenshaw Plaza Redevelopment  In yet another loss for the Los Angeles culinary community,...

Santa Monica Hotel Event Space Offers Affordability, Accessibility

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Elevate Your Events with Versatile Venues and Exceptional Service Coastal stays and eclectic event spaces don’t have to be expensive....

Flour Pizzeria & Cafe to Bring Brooklyn-Style Pizza to Brentwood This Week

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Family-Owned Favorite from the Palisades to Open on San Vicente  Flour Pizzeria & Cafe, a restaurant from Pacific Palisades run...

(Video) The Willows Students Bring a 50-Foot Dragon to Life Through Art and Teamwork

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Kristy Acero, The Willows DK-4th Grade Art teacher, led her students in a large-scale, collaborative project, with each grade creating...

ART& 2025: NeueHouse Unveils Inspiring Lineup Celebrating Feminine Leadership

February 12, 2025

February 12, 2025

Four-Day Event in Venice Beach Explores Creativity, Activism, and Cultural Impact NeueHouse has unveiled the schedule for ART& 2025, a...

LA Attorney Who Represented Rodney King Sentenced to Prison for Tax Evasion Scheme

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Milton C. Grimes Ordered To Serve Time in Prison and Pay Restitution Milton C. Grimes, a longtime Los Angeles attorney,...

Canned Tuna Pulled from Shelves Over Botulism Contamination Risk

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

El Segundo Seafood Company Issues Voluntary Recall Through FDA Tri-Union Seafoods has issued a voluntary recall of certain canned tuna...

Powerful Storm to Bring Heavy Rains, Possible Debris Flow to Los Angeles

February 11, 2025

February 11, 2025

Officials Warn of Risks, Urge Residents to Prepare for Severe Weather A Pacific storm system is expected to bring widespread...

Retailers Impose Egg Purchase Restrictions as Supply Chain Disruptions Cause Concern

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Egg Limits Are Back – What’s Causing the Shortage? Retailers across the United States, including Costco and Trader Joe’s, have...

Donate Blood, Save Lives: Culver City Hosts Valentine’s Week Drive

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Urgent Need for Donors as Red Cross Faces Critical Blood Shortages As Valentine’s Day approaches, the Culver City Police Department...

New Bill Targets Crime in Disaster Zones – Here’s What You Need to Know

February 10, 2025

February 10, 2025

Lawmakers Push for Tougher Penalties To Protect Vulnerable Communities California lawmakers have introduced a bipartisan bill aimed at cracking down...