Douglas' films include Fatal Attraction, Basis Instinct and Traffic

Douglas, 61, filed the legal action, against Family Television Studios and Paradigm Media Group, in Florida.

He claims he agreed to host the Learning About series on the basis that it was educational and non-commercial.

But he says the segments he recorded were used to drum up sponsorship for episodes which were never broadcast.

Compensation

Florida-based Family Television Studios told Douglas it produced "educational television for national distribution on networks such as Discovery Channel, The Learning Channel and Public Television".

In fact, it produced commercial programming including infomercials and advertising, the legal action claims.

Mr Douglas, who won an Oscar for his role in the 1987 film Wall Street, has requested both companies cease to use his name and likeness.