http://articles.latimes.

com/1990-06-29/entertainment/ca-915_1_mario-moreno

SHORT TAKES : Cantinflas: No Laughing Matter

June 29, 1990| From Times Wire Services

HOUSTON Mario Moreno, the Mexican comic known as Cantinflas to

millions of Spanish-speaking fans, accused a Houston woman and her attorney
of blackmail for threatening to publicize details of a divorce suit, a newspaper
reported today.

On June 19, a Harris County family court judge awarded Joyce Jett a record $26
million in her divorce suit against Moreno. The comic, 78, who lives in Mexico
and denies being married to Jett, refuses to pay the settlement.

Cantinflas is best known to English-speaking audiences for his role as

Passepartout, David Niven's faithful companion in "Around the World in 80
Days."

The comic said his attorneys filed civil charges against Jett; her attorney, J.
Michael Solar, and others in a Mexican court to "clear his name." He referred
other legal inquiries to the lawyers, who could not be reached.

Moreno said Solar wrote him a letter April 22 saying: "Be advised that you have
until 1700 hours on Thursday, April 26, 1990, to bring this matter to a 'private'
conclusion, after which time it is my intention to fully discuss the particulars
surrounding your life together and the pending divorce with any interested
party."

Solar characterized the letter as a "statement of fact" required by the court. He

said he and Jett initially agreed not to talk to the media about the divorce if
Moreno agreed to settle the case.

"(We're saying) if you want to settle, that's fine," Solar said. "But if not, we will
not extend any courtesies."

Solar also said he and Jett would not respond to the charges in Mexico, which he
called "part of ongoing retaliation." He said the Mexican court has no
jurisdiction.

Solar had presented documents showing that Moreno and Jett shared their lives
for 22 years, although they apparently never legally formalized the relationship.
Jett filed for divorce in August, citing mental and physical abuse.