MELBOURNE, Australia - A judge awarded Rebel Wilson record damages of 4.56 million Australian dollars ($3.66 million) on Wednesday over magazine articles the actress said cost her roles in Hollywood films.
A Supreme Court jury in Australia's Victoria state had decided in June the articles claiming she lied about her age, origins of her first name and her upbringing in Sydney were defamatory.
Justice John Dixon said a substantial award amount was required to “vindicate” Wilson after her reputation as an “actress of integrity was wrongly damaged.”
Bauer Media, publisher of the Australian magazines Woman's Day, Australian Women's Weekly, NW and OK, said it was considering the judgment.
The 37-year-old Wilson, best known for the comedies “Pitch Perfect” and “Bridesmaids,” was in London on Wednesday and her lawyers were unable to immediately talk to her about the decision.
Her lawyer Richard Leder said outside court the damages were about four times higher than the previous Australian record for a defamation case.
