It's all about commissions. And when you're a star of her magnitude, the percentage points can add up to millions of dollars.
Taking on the role of a high-powered Chicago attorney for CBS' courtroom drama "The Good Wife" relaunched Julianna Margulies' career... The role has made her one of Hollywood's most highly paid actresses and led to multiple awards - from a Golden Globe to an Emmy for best actress. But now the managers who say they helped her land the job are putting Margulies front and center in a real-life court battle claiming she's cutting them out of millions of dollars in fees.
"There is potentially millions of dollars on the line for her and the potential embarrassment that comes with going to trial," said Lacey Rose, TV editor, Hollywood Reporter.
Margulies says she fired those managers in April of 2011. In court documents, Margulies' lawyer calls her former agent and manager "an embarrassment." But their agency disagrees, telling a judge they worked hard to land Margulies her "Good Wife" role and a lucrative endorsement deal with L'Oreal Paris.
"It is incredibly rare to have a dispute like this with a star as big as Julianna go to trial," Rose said.
DF Management's attorney says in fights that managers always get their cut.
"All actors, especially experienced actors, understand the obligation to pay their managers post termination commissions, that is the standard; it is routine it is universal," said Mathew Rosengart.
While Margulies attorney says custom or not, there was no agreement made.
"They admit that Ms. Margulies never promised them orally or in writing to make such payments," said Sheldon Eisenberg.
The two sides are scheduled for mediation Monday
