Exclusive: Former stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman has won her 11-year legal ordeal with the SAG Pension Plan and the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan, receiving a $125,000 settlement and an acknowledgement that she is entitled, at long last, to receive the occupational disability pension that she’s been fighting for all these years.
The Plans, which also are on the hook for her attorney’s fees, made “no admission of liability” in settling the case, however, and have “denied every allegation of wrongdoing” contained in her complaints.
“I’m glad it’s over,” she told Deadline, “and I hope that this settlement makes it easier for all stunt performers – and all SAG-AFTRA members – to obtain the benefits they’re entitled to.”
Hoffman, who’s now running in the union’s upcoming election for a seat on the Los Angeles Local’s board of directors, was once among Hollywood’s elite stuntwomen: She...
The Plans, which also are on the hook for her attorney’s fees, made “no admission of liability” in settling the case, however, and have “denied every allegation of wrongdoing” contained in her complaints.
“I’m glad it’s over,” she told Deadline, “and I hope that this settlement makes it easier for all stunt performers – and all SAG-AFTRA members – to obtain the benefits they’re entitled to.”
Hoffman, who’s now running in the union’s upcoming election for a seat on the Los Angeles Local’s board of directors, was once among Hollywood’s elite stuntwomen: She...
- 7/7/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Former stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman has won another ruling before the U.S. Ninth Circuit of Appeals in her decade-long battle with the SAG Pension Plan and the SAG-AFTRA Health Plan over whether she is entitled to receive an occupational disability pension, which would give her lifetime health coverage because of the injuries she suffered over her long career.
The case has bounced back and forth between the lower district court and the appellate court since she first filed suit in 2010 — when the Plans denied her occupational disability pension and health – and then again in 2015, when the Plans took away her pension, which she’d been receiving since 2002, saying that she wasn’t disabled anymore and could return to work.
In their ruling, Circuit Court judges Andrew Kleinfeld, Richard Tallman and John Owens repeatedly cited the “curious facts in the case” and “the unusual posture of this case.” The litigation over...
The case has bounced back and forth between the lower district court and the appellate court since she first filed suit in 2010 — when the Plans denied her occupational disability pension and health – and then again in 2015, when the Plans took away her pension, which she’d been receiving since 2002, saying that she wasn’t disabled anymore and could return to work.
In their ruling, Circuit Court judges Andrew Kleinfeld, Richard Tallman and John Owens repeatedly cited the “curious facts in the case” and “the unusual posture of this case.” The litigation over...
- 3/19/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Disabled stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman has won another legal battle in her years-long fight with the Screen Actors Guild Pension Plan. A federal judge ruled that “the Plan abused its discretion” by denying her “a full and fair review” when it took away her disability pension and ordered her to repay $123,827 in benefits she’d received over a 13-year period, plus another $8,457 in interest. The Plan also wants her to pay more than $150,000 in attorneys’ fees.
The Plan’s trustees have maintained that she worked and solicited stunt jobs while collecting an occupational disability pension. Hoffman, however, has not worked as a stunt performer or as a stunt coordinator since she began receiving those benefits – and her tax records and SAG’s own earning reports prove that she has had no income under SAG or SAG-AFTRA’s contracts since 2002.
U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner, who will be hearing...
The Plan’s trustees have maintained that she worked and solicited stunt jobs while collecting an occupational disability pension. Hoffman, however, has not worked as a stunt performer or as a stunt coordinator since she began receiving those benefits – and her tax records and SAG’s own earning reports prove that she has had no income under SAG or SAG-AFTRA’s contracts since 2002.
U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner, who will be hearing...
- 11/1/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Disabled stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman has won a major legal battle in the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, which has reversed a lower court’s ruling and ordered a trial of her lawsuit that claimed that the SAG Pension Plan wrongfully terminated her occupational disability pension.
In a ruling handed down today, the appellate court found that Us District Court Judge Manuel Real had “erred” in granting the pension plan’s motion for summary judgment in 2016, reversed his decision, and remanded her case for trial. It’s the second time she’s gotten a favorable ruling from the appeals court since she first filed suit in 2010.
Read the court papers here.
The appeals court today also issued a stern rebuke of the SAG Pension Plan, which, after a slipshod investigation, determined that she’d worked and held herself out for work while collecting SAG disability benefits – and then took away her...
In a ruling handed down today, the appellate court found that Us District Court Judge Manuel Real had “erred” in granting the pension plan’s motion for summary judgment in 2016, reversed his decision, and remanded her case for trial. It’s the second time she’s gotten a favorable ruling from the appeals court since she first filed suit in 2010.
Read the court papers here.
The appeals court today also issued a stern rebuke of the SAG Pension Plan, which, after a slipshod investigation, determined that she’d worked and held herself out for work while collecting SAG disability benefits – and then took away her...
- 1/5/2019
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Leslie Hoffman has been battling the SAG Pension & Health Plans for years, fighting for the benefits she earned during her long and bruising career as one of Hollywood's top stuntwomen. After she became disabled and unable to work in 2002, she began collecting SAG disability pension benefits. But after a slipshod investigation, the plan trustees determined that she had worked and held herself out for work while collecting those benefits and ordered her to repay…...
- 6/21/2017
- Deadline
A federal judge has dismissed former stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman's lawsuit against the SAG Pension Plan, saying its decision to strip her of her occupational disability pension – and force her to repay $123,827 in SAG benefits – "was neither arbitrary nor capricious and was based on reasonable evidence." Hoffman said she plans to appeal, though she expects to go broke and lose her house long before an appeal is ever heard. U.S. District Court Judge Manuel Real noted that…...
- 10/29/2016
- Deadline
A federal judge has dismissed former stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman's lawsuit against the SAG Pension Plan, saying its decision to strip her of her occupational disability pension – and force her to repay $123,827 in SAG benefits – "was neither arbitrary nor capricious and was based on reasonable evidence." Hoffman said she plans to appeal, though she expects to go broke and lose her house long before an appeal is ever heard. U.S. District Court Judge Manuel Real noted that…...
- 10/29/2016
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: The SAG Pension & Health Plans are doubling down on their campaign to deny benefits to disabled stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman. First they refused to give her SAG health benefits, even after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that they had violated the law by not giving her a fair hearing. Now they're taking away her SAG pension on the flimsiest of pretexts. The overriding question becomes whether the Plans are in self-protection mode because of similar…...
- 6/24/2015
- Deadline TV
Exclusive: The SAG Pension & Health Plans are doubling down on their campaign to deny benefits to disabled stuntwoman Leslie Hoffman. First they refused to give her SAG health benefits, even after the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that they had violated the law by not giving her a fair hearing. Now they're taking away her SAG pension on the flimsiest of pretexts. The overriding question becomes whether the Plans are in self-protection mode because of similar…...
- 6/24/2015
- Deadline
As we watch former great athletes becomes shells of their former selves suffering the debilitating long-term effect of concussions and other injuries, it is worth wondering how Hollywood is caring for the people who rack up similar injuries performing stunts for movies and TV shows. If Leslie Hoffman is a litmus test, the answer is, not very well. Hoffman was once one of Hollywood's top stuntwomen and the first ever elected to the SAG Hollywood board of directors, and…...
- 6/19/2015
- Deadline TV
As we watch former great athletes becomes shells of their former selves suffering the debilitating long-term effect of concussions and other injuries, it is worth wondering how Hollywood is caring for the people who rack up similar injuries performing stunts for movies and TV shows. If Leslie Hoffman is a litmus test, the answer is, not very well. Hoffman was once one of Hollywood's top stuntwomen and the first ever elected to the SAG Hollywood board of directors, and…...
- 6/18/2015
- Deadline
In the La area and wondering what to do this weekend? Dudes and dudettes, if you're a horror fan, then trust us ... get your asses to the Creation Weekend of Horrors!
The heavy hitting show has added a host of new additions to the weekend's festivities. In addition to the already announced horror superstars like writer/director Dario Argento, Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, and the following massive panels:
• Hatchet 2 Panel will bring the genre’s hottest names to present a fun and informative panel including filmmaker Adam Green, Kane Hodder, Tony Todd, Danielle Harris, and more.
• Michael Myers Panel, where your favorite Halloween stars will participate in a special panel including Tony Moran, Will Sandin, Dick Warlock, George P. Wilbur, and more.
• Jason Voorhees Panel will bring the Friday the 13th actors together on stage including Ari Lehman, Warrington Gillette, Steve Dash, Richard Brooker, Ted White, and more.
The heavy hitting show has added a host of new additions to the weekend's festivities. In addition to the already announced horror superstars like writer/director Dario Argento, Robert Englund, Heather Langenkamp, John Saxon, and the following massive panels:
• Hatchet 2 Panel will bring the genre’s hottest names to present a fun and informative panel including filmmaker Adam Green, Kane Hodder, Tony Todd, Danielle Harris, and more.
• Michael Myers Panel, where your favorite Halloween stars will participate in a special panel including Tony Moran, Will Sandin, Dick Warlock, George P. Wilbur, and more.
• Jason Voorhees Panel will bring the Friday the 13th actors together on stage including Ari Lehman, Warrington Gillette, Steve Dash, Richard Brooker, Ted White, and more.
- 5/19/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
If you're anywhere near the La area this weekend and are a fan of the A Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, believe us when we tell you that the first and only thing you're going to want to do this Saturday is head on over to Dark Delicacies to attend the most massive Elm Street reunion and signing you'll ever witness!
In honor of the DVD release of Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (pre-order here to get a Free poster signed by actress Heather Langenkamp), an event has been planned that will fulfill many a fan's dream ... or nightmare for that matter. The festivities begin on May 1st at 2:00 pm. We will also be streaming the event Live right here on Dread Central.
Check out the monstrous line-up below. You never know who else may show up!
Signing and in attendance will be:
From the Never Sleep...
In honor of the DVD release of Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy (pre-order here to get a Free poster signed by actress Heather Langenkamp), an event has been planned that will fulfill many a fan's dream ... or nightmare for that matter. The festivities begin on May 1st at 2:00 pm. We will also be streaming the event Live right here on Dread Central.
Check out the monstrous line-up below. You never know who else may show up!
Signing and in attendance will be:
From the Never Sleep...
- 4/29/2010
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
It's payday for many of us, but if you want to talk about payoffs, there haven't been much better Fridays in terms of material for Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy than today, December 11th! Read on to see who's in the hot seat now.
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy officially began lensing on August 22, 2009, in and around Los Angeles. Starring and narrated by Heather Langenkamp, star of the 1984 classic A Nightmare on Elm Street and two of its sequels (1986's Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and 1994's Wes Craven's New Nightmare), this thrilling 90-minute retrospective promises to be the definitive look at the making of the iconic horror series and the enduring legacy of its wise-cracking, razor-gloved villain: the indefatigable "bastard son of a hundred maniacs" known as Freddy Krueger.
Directed by Daniel Farrands and Andrew Kasch, this comprehensive look at the Nightmare films...
Never Sleep Again: The Elm Street Legacy officially began lensing on August 22, 2009, in and around Los Angeles. Starring and narrated by Heather Langenkamp, star of the 1984 classic A Nightmare on Elm Street and two of its sequels (1986's Nightmare on Elm Street 3: Dream Warriors and 1994's Wes Craven's New Nightmare), this thrilling 90-minute retrospective promises to be the definitive look at the making of the iconic horror series and the enduring legacy of its wise-cracking, razor-gloved villain: the indefatigable "bastard son of a hundred maniacs" known as Freddy Krueger.
Directed by Daniel Farrands and Andrew Kasch, this comprehensive look at the Nightmare films...
- 12/11/2009
- by Uncle Creepy
- DreadCentral.com
Monsterpalooza is set to stomp the Marriott Burbank Convention Center and is scheduled for the weekend of May 29-31. The convention features special effects artists from the horror industry along with their many works. Highlights include a walk-thru museum of horror monsters and artwork, guest artist celebrities, and a slew of vendors selling original artwork, collectibles, illustrations, masks, props, resin kits, and much more!
A partial list of guests and attending special effects companies are listed below, in no particular order. For a complete and up-to-date listing, visit the Monsterpalooza home page!
Knb Efx: Award winning FX company , Sin City, Grindhouse, Narnia, From Dusk till Dawn Adi: Alien vs Predator, Race to Witch Mountain, X-Men Origins Chiodo Brothers: Critters, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Gremlins Bernie Wrightson: Legendary 2D artist Jordu Schell: Creature designer for major motion pictures. William Malone: Director - Masters of Horror, House on...
A partial list of guests and attending special effects companies are listed below, in no particular order. For a complete and up-to-date listing, visit the Monsterpalooza home page!
Knb Efx: Award winning FX company , Sin City, Grindhouse, Narnia, From Dusk till Dawn Adi: Alien vs Predator, Race to Witch Mountain, X-Men Origins Chiodo Brothers: Critters, Killer Klowns from Outer Space, Gremlins Bernie Wrightson: Legendary 2D artist Jordu Schell: Creature designer for major motion pictures. William Malone: Director - Masters of Horror, House on...
- 1/28/2009
- by Tristan Sinns
- DreadCentral.com
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.