Nicollette Sheridan Sues Over ‘Desperate Housewives’ Firing, Alleged Assault

Nicollette Sheridan has filed a lawsuit against “Desperate Housewives” creator Marc Cherry, ABC and Touchstone TV, according to court papers obtained by Access Hollywood.

In the papers, the actress claims that her former boss struck her “across the head and face” on the set – and once she complained, she was fired from the show.

“[Cherry] created a hostile work environment,” the papers continue, claiming that the producer “took her aside and forcefully hit her with his hand” on September 24, 2008.

The papers also allege that Cherry had harsh words for “Desperate” star Teri Hatcher.

“I hope Teri Hatcher gets hit by a car and dies,” Cherry allegedly told Sheridan after Hatcher allegedly went “above Cherry’s head to speak to ABC executives.

Sheridan is asking for $20 million for each of her seven claims, which include wrongful termination and assault.

On Tuesday, Sheridan’s lawyer, Mark Baute, released a statement to Access Hollywood.

“Nicollette worked very hard on the show and was a model employee. Mr. Cherry’s behavior towards Nicollette was and is nothing short of abusive and appalling. The lawsuit is not something Nicollette wanted to do, it’s something she felt compelled to do. Nicollette asked ABC for help and protection from Mr. Cherry’s abusive behavior, and ultimately, ABC was not willing or able to provide that protection. Sometimes the only way that a safe and normal work environment can be created is when a hard-working person like Nicollette stands up for herself and her rights, and in doing so help protect others who have had to work in a hostile environment,” Baute said. “We expect the case to be hard fought, and it will not be a surprise if ABC and Mr. Cherry try to depict Nicollette to be something other than a team player and long-standing industry professional. She put her heart and soul into the role of the Edie character, a character that she truly enjoyed playing.”

The actress starred as Edie Britt on five seasons of the show, earning a Golden Globe nomination in 2005 for the role. Her final episode aired in April 2009.

An ABC rep told Access Hollywood in a statement, “While we have yet to see the actual complaint, we investigated similar claims made by Ms. Sheridan last year and found them to be without merit.”

Marc Cherry had no comment when reached by Access.

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