Christian Slater’s dad can’t sue son for defamation

Christian Slater leaving the premiere of Nymphomaniac (I) at the 64th Berlin International Film Festival on February 9, 2014.

A judge Monday dismissed defamation allegations that Christian Slater’s dad brought against his son, who claimed that his 80-year- old father suffers from schizophrenia.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Suzanne Brugera said in a five-page ruling that the 46-year-old “Mr. Robot” star’s comments were protected free speech. She also found that the actor is entitled to seek attorney’s fees against his father, Thomas Knight Slater.

The elder Slater’s case will continue against his ex-wife, casting director Mary Jo Slater, who he also sued on Feb. 24. His suit alleges slander, libel, defamation, intentional infliction of emotional distress, intentional interference with prospective economic advantage and invasion of privacy.

Thomas Slater said after the hearing that he will consider appealing Brugera’s ruling. He also said he wants $30 million in exchange for dropping all litigation against his son and his ex-wife, saying the number represents 30 years of opportunities in the film industry he says he lost because of them.

“I’m going for his throat,” Thomas Slater said, while also making a similar comment about another part of his son’s anatomy.

Thomas Slater also scoffed at any suggestions he needs psychological help and said he is looking forward to a trial of the issues.

The remarks were a departure from his opening comments during the hearing, when — while acting as his own attorney — he identified himself as “the father of the great actor, Christian Slater.”

According to the lawsuit, Christian Slater defamed his father after he told an interviewer in December that the plaintiff was suffering from manic- depressive schizophrenia. The suit alleges Mary Jo Slater made statements that caused him to be “blacklisted in the show business community.”

In her ruling, the judge said Christian Slater’s relationship with his father and their family story in general “involves a real-life tale of Hollywood family drama and tragedy, a matter that is of general interest to the public, regardless of its relative lack of significance as an issue.”

The actor’s interview “touches upon mental illness and its impact on the family,” Brugera wrote.

Thomas Slater, whose acting credits include appearances in soap operas such as “Love is a Many Splendored Thing” and “Ryan’s Hope” and the films “Mommie Dearest” and “Midnight Run,” denied he is mentally ill.

During his career, he also has used the names Michael Hawkins and Michael Gainsborough.

A status conference in the part of his case against his former spouse is scheduled for Jan. 26.