public figure

public figure
Term "public figure," for purposes of determining standard to be applied in defamation action, includes artists, athletes, business people, dilettantes, and anyone who is famous or infamous because of who he is or what he has done. Rosanova v. Playboy Enterprises, Inc., D.C.Ga., 411 F.Supp. 440, 444.
Public figures, for libel purposes, are those who have assumed roles of special prominence in society; commonly, those classed as public figures have thrust themselves to forefront of particular public controversies in order to influence resolution of issues involved. Mills v. Kingsport Times-News, D.C.W.Va., 475 F.Supp. 1005, 1009.
Persons so classified are required to prove actual notice to recover in libel actions. Hustler Magazine v. Falwell, 485 U.S. 46, 108 S.Ct. 876, 99 L.Ed.2d 41.
In determining whether plaintiff in libel action is "public figure" required to show "actual malice" of publisher or broadcaster, it is preferable to look to nature and extent of his participation in particular controversy giving rise to the defamation, and he should not be deemed public personality for all aspects of his life in absence of clear evidence of general fame or notoriety in community and pervasive involvement in affairs of society. Gertz v. Robert Welch, Inc., 418 U.S. 323, 94 S.Ct. 2997, 41 L.Ed.2d 789.
See libel.
For right of privacy action purposes, includes anyone who has arrived at position where public attention is focused upon him as a person. Dietemann v. Time, Inc., D.C.Cal., 284 F.Supp. 925, 930.

Black's law dictionary. . 1990.

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