Actor Frank Sivero has filed a $250 million lawsuit against Fox Television Studios in Los Angeles Superior Court on Oct. 21 for allegedly constructing one of three animated "wiseguys" on his character Frankie Carbone from the Martin Scorsese's 1990 crime film "Goodfellas." Within the lawsuit, filed 23 years after the alleged parody was introduced on "The Simpsons," the actor claims the character of "Louie" of the fictional Springfield Mafia infringes on his likeness.

Perhaps best known for his roles in the aforementioned film and as Genco Abbandando in Francis Ford Coppola's "The Godfather Part II," Sivero claims he lived in a Sherman Oaks apartment next door to "The Simpsons" writers in 1989, a year before "Goodfellas" was released.

"During this time, both writers knew who Sivero was, and they saw each other almost every day," the complaint alleges. "They knew he was developing the character he was to play in the movie 'Goodfellas,' a movie Sivero did in 1989. In fact, they were aware the entire character of Frankie Carbone was created and developed by Sivero, who based this character on his own personality."

Since his introduction during the Season 3 episode "Bart the Murderer," which aired Oct. 10, 1991, the character of "Louie" has appeared in 15 additional episodes of "The Simpsons." However, the suit claims that Dan Castellaneta, who voices Louie and, more importantly, Homer Simpson, "modeled his voice after Italian-American actor Joe Pesci," who also had a role in "Goodfellas." 

According to the NY Daily News, Sivero is also very protective of his rights, suing a Southern California sandwich shop a few months ago over a menu item named after his "Goodfellas" character.

Rolling Stone reports that Sivero is demanding $50 million in actual damage loss of his rendering, $100 million over improper interference, $50 million in actual damage loss over the appropriation of his "confidential" idea, $50 million in exemplary damages over that same "confidential" idea, plus injunctive relief and reasonable attorney fees for his lawyer Alex Herrera. 

Consistent with The Hollywood Reporter, Sivero also states that "The Simpsons" producer James L. Brooks was "highly aware of who Sivero was, the fact that he created the role of Frankie Carbone, and that 'The Simpsons' character Louie would be based on this character."

Fox Television Studios have yet to comment, NBC News reports.

According to the complaint, the Fox long-running hit has grossed $12 billion from several revenue streams, including video games.