‘M*A*S*H’ star’s daughter unleashes legal chaos on Scottish island

The daughter of the late Sally Kellerman, the Oscar-nominated actress who played Major Margaret “Hot Lips” Houlihan in the film “M*A*S*H,” has sparked a legal war on a small Scottish island over a dog.

Claire Kellerman, the adopted daughter of the legendary actress who starred in the American war comedy film in 1970, is accused of cruelly draining a charity’s coffers — all because her dog couldn’t come with her to buy a cup of coffee.

Kellerman kicked off the chaos on Great Bernera, an island with a population of less than 250 people, earlier this year.

Claire Kellerman, daughter of “M*A*S*H” actress Sally Kellerman, brought a lawsuit against the cafe. Sky News

Kellerman, 62, who moved from California to the island about three years ago, decided to take Bernera Community Cafe to court when her Australian cattle dog wasn’t allowed inside, according to various UK-based reports.

The cafe has an “Assistance Dogs Welcome” sign, as well as another poster reading “Service Dogs Only,” posted on its door, according to Sky News. Staff allegedly pointed to the signs when Kellerman tried to bring in her pooch named Tarkina.

She argued that she has a disability and her pet is a service animal, Deadline reported. It’s unclear what her disability is, but she told the outlet it stems from childhood trauma.

While Kellerman paints herself as the victim, several fed-up business owners have accused her of lashing out at them and threatening to sue after they told her that her dog — who locals said has a reputation for chasing other animals and pets — couldn’t come inside.

She first filed the lawsuit against the wrong entity, the Great Bernera Community Development Trust, and cost the group $7,000 before she amended the complaint to go after the Bernera Community Association (BCA), which manages the community center that has a doctor’s office, fire station, museum and the cafe.

Sally Kellerman was her mother. ©20thCentFox/Courtesy Everett Collection

The BCA reportedly faces bankruptcy as a result of the legal feud, according to The Times. Meanwhile, Kellerman’s fighting the case scot-free for now because the Scottish Legal Aid Board is footing her legal bill.

In an interview with Sky News, Kellerman icily said it’s “not her business” if the community center closes.

Community members and politicians are outraged.

The BCA manages the building the cafe is in. Sky News
Signs welcoming service animals are posted on the door of the cafe. Sky News

Western Isles Member of Parliament Andrew Crichton slammed her actions as “vexatious,” while another local leader, Donald MacKinnon, said the case was “absurd.”

Sally Kellerman died in February 2022 at 84.

Kellerman’s attorneys and the BCA did not return requests for comment.

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