Personal Life: Vanity Fair Libel Case

In 2004, Polanski sued Vanity Fair magazine in London for libel. A 2002 article in the magazine written by A. E. Hotchner recounted a claim by Lewis H. Lapham, editor of Harper’s, that Polanski had made sexual advances towards a young model as he was traveling to Sharon Tate’s funeral, claiming that he could make her “the next Sharon Tate”. The court permitted Polanski to testify via a video link, after he expressed fears that he might be extradited were he to enter the United Kingdom. The trial started in July 2005 and Polankski made English legal history as the first claimant to give evidence by video link. During the trial, which included the testimony of Mia Farrow and others, it was claimed that the alleged scene at the famous New York City restaurant Elaine’s could not have taken place on the date given, because Polanski only dined at this restaurant three weeks later. Also, the Norwegian model disputed accounts that he had claimed to be able to make her “the next Sharon Tate.” In the course of the trial, Polanski did admit to having been unfaithful to Tate during their marriage. Polanski was awarded £50,000 damages by the High Court in London. Graydon Carter, editor of Vanity Fair, responded, “I find it amazing that a man who lives in France can sue a magazine that is published in America in a British courtroom”.

[Text from Wikipedia]