Holding onto his toupee. Andrew Greene, the real-life executive who allegedly inspired the character of Nicky "Rugrat" Koskoff in The Wolf of Wall Street, has filed a $25 million lawsuit in New York federal court against the film's producers over his portrayal in the Martin Scorsese-directed hit.
"The motion picture contains various scenes wherein Mr. Greene's character is portrayed as a criminal, drug user, degenerate, depraved, and/or devoid of any morality or ethics," it reads in the lawsuit found on Scribd. "In one scene, Mr. Greene's character is depicted shaving a woman's head after Jordan Belfort's character states the woman was offered ten-thousand dollars."
Greene, who was the head of corporate finance at Stratton Oakmont from 1993 to 1996, was mentioned in Jordan Belfort's memoir by his real name. Actor P.J. Byrne plays the toupee-wearing, rampant drug-using, smarty pants character, whose nickname was changed from "Wigwam" to "Rugrat" for the film.
Greene, an investment banker, alleges that his portrayal in the Oscar-nominated three-hour epic is actually damaging to his reputation. "Mr. Greene will be permanently linked to the crimes and loathsome behavior portrayed by his likeness in the motion picture, despite never having been interviewed, questioned, charged, imprisoned, or even arrested for the illicit and despicable behavior shown in the motion picture," it says in the suit.
Furthermore, the defendant adds that he did not give the studio consent to depict him — therefore slapping Paramount Pictures, Red Granite and other producers with a hefty $25 million lawsuit. He also seeks the film's removal from theaters.
Wolf of Wall Street, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill and Margot Robbie, has received five Oscar nods, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
