Judge suspends Hasselhoff's visiting rights

08/05/2007 12:59

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - A judge on Monday suspended "Baywatch" star David Hasselhoff’s visitation rights with his daughters after the release of a videotape showing him drunk in the presence of one of the two teenage girls.

Hasselhoff, who was not in court for the hearing, admitted last week that he’d struggled to overcome alcoholism after the videotape emerged showing him on the floor, struggling to eat a hamburger as a young female voice urged him not to drink.

"This videotape changes the landscape," said Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark Juhas, who is handling post-divorce issues between Hasselhoff and his ex-wife, actress Pamela Bach.

Juhas said his order remains in effect until May 21, when he will hold another hearing.

Juhas also wants the couple and their daughters Taylor Ann, 16, and Hayley, 14, to meet with a court appointed psychologist who is evaluating custody and visitation arrangements.

Bach and Hasselhoff, 54, have been locked in a dispute for months concerning child and spousal support, even though their divorce after 16 years of marriage was final last August.

Hasselhoff’s lawyer, Melvin Goldsman, said after the hearing that he was sure the court-appointed psychologist will use his power to override Juhas’ ruling and restore Hasselhoff’s visitation privileges.

Bach, in .....continued below

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an interview with Inside Edition, said she saw parts of the videotape and added: "Then I had to turn it off ... I lived it, it’s what I went through."

She denied Hasselhoff’s claim, made through his lawyer, that she had her own addiction problem.

Hasselhoff is the second Hollywood star in recent weeks to lose visitation rights to his children.

Actor Alec Baldwin had visitation rights suspended after leaving a ranting phone message for his 11-year-old daughter Ireland in which he called her a "thoughtless little pig."

The custody battle between Baldwin and his ex-wife Kim Basinger is back before the courts.

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