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Bonaduce won’t be charged for Fairplay fight

D.A. says ‘insufficient evidence’ to charge actor with battery

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Reality stars get into fight during award show
Oct. 4: Former child star and radio host Danny Bonaduce is accused of assaulting a former “Survivor” contestant during a Fox TV award show.

NBC News Channel

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updated 9:22 a.m. ET Oct. 8, 2007

LOS ANGELES - Danny Bonaduce won’t face charges for tossing former “Survivor” contestant Jonny Fairplay over his shoulders at an awards show.

A charge evaluation document released by the district attorney’s office Friday said there was “insufficient evidence” to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that Bonaduce committed battery because Fairplay “initiated contact and acted offensively.”

Fairplay, 33, said he underwent 2 1/2 hours of dental surgery after Bonaduce tossed him over his shoulders at the Fox Reality Channel’s Really Awards last Tuesday. Fairplay landed on his face.

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The evaluation worksheet said Fairplay jumped on Bonaduce, “wrapped his arms and legs around the suspect and thrust his pelvis into the suspect’s body.”

Deputy District Attorney Jeffrey Boxer wrote that Bonaduce didn’t intentionally injure Fairplay and his “actions fell within the realm of self-defense.”

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Fairplay’s police report claimed the actor walked on stage uninvited and made a “derogatory statement.” Fairplay later said he was giving Bonaduce a hug, one of his signature moves as a performer.

A video of the incident captured the sound of the audience booing.

Fairplay, whose real name is Jon Dalton, appeared in the 2003 CBS reality show “Survivor: Pearl Islands.”

Bonaduce, 48, was a child star on “The Partridge Family.” He starred in the 2005 reality show “Breaking Bonaduce,” and has recently co-hosted Adam Carolla’s radio show.

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