A background actor on the set of the CBS drama Madam Secretary was hospitalised on Friday after a physical altercation with a catering employee, according to reports. The incident occurred during a break from filming in Whippany, New Jersey, when a dispute broke out over queue-jumping at the craft services table.
Sources told TMZ that a 'horde of extras swarmed the snacks/coffee table' between scenes. When a female craft services worker told one actor to join the back of the line, he allegedly pushed her. Her husband, also a catering employee, then intervened and punched the actor several times in the face.
The actor 'landed on the snack-filled table, and then the husband got on top of him and punched him several more times in the face', leaving him 'bloodied', according to the source. On-set police had to 'peel the employee off the actor'.
Captain David White of the local police told People magazine: 'We had three officers working the detail and it was contained quickly. The only injury was to the individual who got punched.' No arrests were made, and statements were taken from those involved.
The show, starring Téa Leoni as former Secretary of State Elizabeth McCord, was filming its final season. CBS did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
