Los Angeles Lakers

Actor Louis Gossett, Jr. says he's the victim of an identity thief -- and that someone forged his signature to get their hands on a pair of $37,000 Lakers tickets.

In an exclusive interview with TMZ, Gossett swats away allegations that he took the tickets and didn't pay for them -- and, by the way, he's had his own Lakers seats since the Magic-and-Kareem era!

Gossett tells TMZ that he recalls being offered the Staples Center Premiere seats, which are good for nearly any sporting event at the arena for two years, but denies ever agreeing to take them -- adding that the signature on the "contract" he signed is a fake. What's more, Gossett says he hasn't been served with the lawsuit from L. A. Arena Funding which accuses him of deadbeating on the Premiere Seats, and that he first learned about the suit through the media.

The Oscar winner adds that he doesn't really give a layup about any other team that plays at Staples, other than the Lakers, whom he considers "family," counting Magic as a "good friend."

A Lakers rep confirms that Gossett has been a Lakers fan in good seating for "twenty years," and that he's fully paid up. A call to lawyers for L.A. Arena wasn't returned.

Actor Louis Gossett, Jr. is being slammed for allegedly not paying for a pair of $37,000 Lakers tickets, and now the brass behind the basketball team is crying foul.

In a lawsuit filed recently in Los Angeles Superior Court, the former "Iron Eagle" is accused of signing a 2003 contract for a pair of exclusive Premier Seats at Staples Center -- home to the Los Angeles Lakers, Clippers and the NHL's L.A. Kings -- but never forking over the dough. The tickets, located close to the floor, are good for nearly any sporting event at the arena -- for two years!

Now, L.A. Arena Funding, the company that handles ticket sales for Staples Center events, is asking for $38,850 in damages. To put things in perspective -- that's less than 1% of what Kobe Bryant made this year (endorsements not included).

Reps for Gossett had no comment.

Jake was spotted in San Diego last week, visiting the set of HBO's pilot "John from Cincinnati," where his pal Austin Nichols plays the lead. Gyllenhaal arrived and was immediately escorted to Nichols' trailer, where they spent most of the day. Austin left the trailer only to grab some grub for the two from catering tables. This photo shows the best friends at a Lakers game in 2006.

Then, this past Saturday, TMZ spies spotted Jake and Austin in Los Angeles, having a quiet dinner at Jar restaurant. The two eluded having their pic taken by paparazzi when they escaped through the kitchen's backdoor. Reese Witherspoon, who has been romantically linked with Jake, was not present.

This is not the first we've seen of Jake and Austin -- their friendship goes back to the 2004 filming of "The Day After Tomorrow." Unlike the trio of Jake, Matt and Lance, this duo appears to be a lasting friendship.