For years, people have been telling Bill Cavenagh, a 41-year-old from Marengo, that he looks like 57-year-old Chuck Norris, TV star of “Walker, Texas Ranger.”
It finally occurred to Cavenagh that this resemblance might make him some extra dough. He could use it. A $9.50-an-hour factory worker, he and his wife have a daughter in college.
He got work, in five TV commercials for the Bryden Dodge-Chrysler car dealership in Beloit, Wis., playing a Norris-like character called “The Bryden Ranger.”
He sent a tape of these spots to Norris’ production company, hoping to get work as a double for the actor. Instead he got a letter from a Dallas law firm telling him to knock it off.
He was stunned: “I mean, am I really taking commercial opportunities away from Chuck Norris?”
Of course not, but news of the letters scared away some businesses interested in Cavenagh’s “talent.”
A written response from Cavenagh’s lawyers seemed to calm things a bit and prompted another letter from Dallas: “Mr. Norris does not intend to sue Mr. Cavenagh. However, Mr. Norris reserves the right to do so if Mr. Cavenagh continues to infringe upon his property right.”
It added ominously, “We will monitor Mr. Cavenagh’s activities. . . .”
Start monitoring: The whole story is scheduled to be told this month on “American Journal,” the syndicated TV show with which Cavenagh has signed an exclusive deal.
