LEGAL FILE

A state appellate court in New Jersey, ruling in the divorce case of actor Joe Piscopo, says that the price of fame can be calculated and its value split between divorcing spouses. A three-judge panel of the Appellate Division of Superior Court upheld a lower court’s ruling that Piscopo’s ex-wife is entitled to 48% of the comedian’s “celebrity good will.” The total value of that good will, determined by both sides in the case, who accepted the lower court judge’s calculation, is $98,708.60. Monday’s appellate ruling means that the former Nancy Piscopo stands to collect more than $47,000 for her part in advancing her comedian husband’s career while they were married. Lawyers in the case said the ruling is the first appellate decision in the United States that celebrity good will is an asset subject to equitable distribution in the breakup of a marriage.