Actor Claims ‘American Chopper’ Owes Him

GOSHEN, N.Y. (CN) - A former cast member claims Orange County Choppers paid him for only one-third of the episodes on which he appeared in the "American Chopper" TV show.

Cody Connelly says he appeared in 93 episodes of the show, which premiered in 2002 on the Discovery Channel. He says he began working for it when he was 14 years old.

Connelly, who was described on the show as "a young fabricating prodigy," says he was paid for only 31 episodes and for none of the public appearances he made on the shop's behalf.

He says he never received "an old school chopper" that he helped design, though the shop's owner, defendant Paul Teutl Sr., gave it to him in one episode.

Connelly seeks damages for misappropriation of likeness, breach of contract and fraud. He claims the show used his likeness in posters, coloring books and other merchandise after he left it in October 2007.

Defendants include Orange County Choppers Inc.; Orange County Choppers Talent; Orange County Choppers Tours and Endorsements; Orange County Choppers Vehicles and Maintenance; and Paul Teutl Sr.

Connelly demands $250,000, a share of future revenue, the value of the bike he was "given," and damages for use of his name and likeness. He is represented in Orange County Court by Charlotte Anderson-Bedford of New York, N.Y.

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