Larry FlyntRespondent Jerry Falwell, a nationally known minister who has been active as a commentator on politics and public affairs, sued petitioner and its publisher, petitioner Larry Flynt, to recover damages for invasion of privacy, libel, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
In an 8–0 decision, the Court ruled in favor of Hustler magazine, holding that a parody ad published in the magazine depicting televangelist and political commentator Jerry Falwell Sr.
Court case demonstrated effect of adult entertainment on First Amendment jurisprudence. In Hustler Magazine v. Falwell (1988), the Supreme Court invalidated a lower court's $200,000 damage award and ruled that a public figure cannot recover damages stemming from a satirical attack.
Hustler publisher Larry Flynt became a free-speech activist when he defended himself in a defamation suit from Jerry Falwell, which went all the way to the Supreme Court.Feb 10, 2021
February 10, 2021Larry Flynt / Date of death
On the libel claim, the jury found against Falwell, concluding that the Hustler parody could not “reasonably be understood as describing actual facts about [Falwell] or actual events in which [he] participated.” However, the jury ruled for Falwell on the intentional infliction of emotional distress claim.
Mr. Flynt bought the pictures for $18,000 and quickly sold a million copies of the issue that featured them. Mr. Flynt was prosecuted in 1976 for the first time on obscenity and organized-crime charges for selling obscene material in Cincinnati.Feb 10, 2021
Alan L. IsaacmanAlan L. Isaacman (/ˈaɪzəkmən/; born July 12, 1942) is an American lawyer primarily famous for serving as attorney for publisher Larry Flynt. His past clients also include Geraldo Rivera, Kathy Griffin, Rock Hudson and CBS, Inc. He lives in Beverly Hills, California.