Australian actor Jason Gann, best known for his role on TV’s dark comedy ‘Wilfred’, has been ordered to pay $325,ooo AUD in reparations following a violent outburst in which the star physically abused a government employed bus driver, Joseph Hosny, in 2007.

Hosny, who has since suffered from symptoms of chronic depression and anxiety and is now permanently unemployed, was accosted by Gann at the Flemington Race Course in Melbourne, Australia after he refused the actor a seat on an overcrowded shuttle-bus.

The TV personality repeatedly punched the 50 year old man in the head until he was forcibly removed from the vehicle by passengers, at which point Gann attempted to enter the bus via the door on the driver’s side, breaking a window in the process. Hosny drove away before Gann was able to successfully re-enter the bus.

At his 2008 court appearance, Gann pleaded no contest to assault charges and received no incarceration time but was subsequently sued by the state government of Victoria’s WorkCover workers’ insurance authority, now WorkSafe, for the cost of Hosny’s medical bills, a sum which amounted to $113,000 AUD. This claim was settled out of court.

Earlier this week, Judge Sandra Davis set the final cost of compensation at $325,000 AUD, and, in addition, ordered Gann to pay Hosny’s legal bills. The Australian quotes Davis, “[Hosny] is homeless, scared of people, has panic attacks and suicidal thoughts…I take into account that Mr Hosny is 50 years old and must live with the consequences of the assault for the rest of his life.”

Gann’s income, generated primarily by the Australian born, US adapted TV show ‘Wilfred’, is guessed at $182,000 AUD per six month American season. As a writer, executive producer, and creator of the original version, Gann would also have received an unspecified amount of money for his sale of the show’s rights to the FX Network in 2010.

So far, ‘Wilfred’, the American version of which co-stars Elijah Wood, has had two seasons in Australia and will commence its second season in the US at the end of June. Both series are based on a 2002 short-film, also co-written by Gann.

In the show, Gann plays a verbally pejorative, psychologically manipulative, sexually perverse, substance abusive, talking dog– a role for which he has received the ‘Golden Collar Award’, an honor generally bestowed upon canine actors. The American premiere in the summer of 2011 was the highest rated debut of any FX show in television history.

At the moment, the resurgence in media coverage of Gann’s assault charge has been predominantly restricted to Australian news sources. As a result, it is unclear how Hosny’s case might effect the viewer popularity of the show, if it does at all.

Image Courtesy of   Gage Skidmore

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Bushmills Village, Northern Ireland - Bushmills Irish Whiskey has announced that globally-renowned actor Elijah Wood will perform a DJ set at ‘Bushmills Live’ – the festival of handcrafted whiskey and music taking place at the Old Bushmills Distillery on the 20th and 21st June.

He joins a bill that already features multi-platinum selling band Snow Patrol – whose fee for the festival is being donated in full to the Oh Yeah Music Centre in Belfast – and award winning artists Iain Archer and Foy Vance.

Wood, along with his friend Zach Cowie, will take to the stage under the name Wooden Wisdom. The duo has DJ’d at Bushmills launch events in the past, but this will be the first time that they will have performed at an event together outside of the United States.

Widely regarded as one of the most gifted actors of his generation, Wood has recently completed production for Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit,” where he will be reprising his role as Frodo Baggins. Wood made an indelible mark in the trilogy of films based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” in the lead role of the hobbit, Frodo.

Directed by Jackson, the films; “The Fellowship of the Ring,” “The Two Towers,” and “Return of the King” were all critically lauded as well as being box office record setters. In addition, “Return of the King” won the Academy Award* for Best Picture as well as 11 Academy Awards in all, tying “Titanic” for the record. Wood is also the founder of record label Simian Records.

Fans of Bushmills Irish Whiskey can win the chance to attend the festival by entering a competition on the Bushmills Facebook page – facebook.com/bushmills1608.

To stand a chance of winning they will have to submit a photo of themselves and a friend and explain why they and their friend should be in the audience for Bushmills Live.

As well as listening to great music, those fortunate to win a ticket to the festival will also have the opportunity to make their own blend of Bushmills Irish Whiskey.

Colum Egan, Master Distiller at the Old Bushmills Distillery said: “I am really looking forward to welcoming Elijah to the Old Bushmills Distillery. He is a great actor and DJ and I have already seen him perform at a fantastic Bushmills party in Los Angeles. The line up for Bushmills Live just keeps getting better and I now can’t wait for 20th June!”

To win tickets to Bushmills Live or to find out more, visit facebook.com/bushmills1608. Entry closes at 23:59 GMT on 27th April 2012. Terms and conditions apply.

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