Director Peter Bogdanovich and his business manager have been sued for allegedly shaking down a man trying to get his son into the film industry.
In a lawsuit filed March 13 in U.S. District Court in New York, Iaroslav Jikov alleges the Oscar-nominated director of “The Last Picture Show” and William Peiffer demanded $100,000 to hire Jikov’s son as a director’s assistant on Bogdanovich’s next film.
According to the complaint, the parties met twice in 2005 to discuss employment opportunities for Matt Jikov. After the second meeting at a Manhattan restaurant, it was agreed that Iaroslav would wire the money to an account identified by Peiffer. Iaroslav says he made the payment on Feb. 7, 2005.
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Bogdanovich, a sometime actor who has appeared on “The Sopranos,” is alleged to have told the Jikovs that he was making progress on a film to be produced by Paramount Pictures. In June 2005, he told the Jikovs that he planned to make two films, according to the complaint. Bogdanovich could not be reached for comment.
Jikov says he demanded his money back in January 2006. Bogdanovich and Peiffer allegedly refused. Peiffer said he had not seen the lawsuit and would not comment on the allegations.
Bogdanovich, 67, last directed a feature film in 2001, “The Cat’s Meow.” He has also endured controversy in his private life, including a long relationship with actress Cybill Shepherd, an affair with murdered Playboy Playmate Dorothy Stratten, and at least two instances in which he filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy.