John Malkovich joins Bernie Madoff hit list

It looks as if the actor and director John Malkovich (pictured) can be added to the long list of Hollywood victims of Bernie Madoff’s alleged $50 billion fraud, following the release on Wednesday night at the US Bankruptcy Court in New York of a roll-call of 13,567 investors.

The name 'John G Malkovich' appears on the 162-page list. Although it has not been confirmed that this Malkovich and the actor are one and the same, the Emmy-winning, two-time Oscar-nominated actor's middle name is 'Gavin', so it seems likely. Many other Hollywood high-fliers, including Steve Spielberg and Kevin Bacon, are known to have lost money with Madoff.

The list also contains names from the worlds of US politics and sport. The legendary baseball pitcher Sandy Koufax is there, along with Fred Wilpon, who owns the New York Mets baseball team. Frank Lautenberg, Senator for New Jersey, is another possible victim.

Tragically, the list also carries the name of Rene-Thierry Magon de la Villehuche, the co-founder of AIA, who committed suicide in December when the extent of his company's losses - some $1.5bn – was revealed.

Since the scandal broke in mid-December, Madoff has avoided prosecutors’ attempts to jail him ahead of his trial. He remains under virtual house arrest in Manhattan and has taken to wearing a bullet-proof vest. ·