In a surprising turn of events, David Geffen’s much-discussed civil lawsuit filed by his estranged husband has been suddenly withdrawn. The lawsuit, which had captured public attention, was aimed at the renowned billionaire media icon.

Geffen, now 82, finds himself amid a tumultuous split with Donovan Michaels, also known as David Armstrong. At 32, Michaels, a former go-go dancer, had thrust the couple into the spotlight this past July by accusing Geffen of breaching their contract in a scandalous lawsuit.

Michaels’ allegations painted a dramatic picture, claiming that Geffen had wielded an intoxicating blend of seduction, control, and grand displays of wealth to ensnare him in a cycle of dependency and humiliation. One of the more startling accusations included Geffen’s insistence that Michaels undergo full body hair removal and his anger over an ingrown hair.

Their relationship traces back to 2016 when they met on SeekingArrangements.com, culminating in a marriage in 2023. Notably, the couple entered this union without a prenuptial agreement, a surprising choice considering Geffen’s considerable wealth, which Forbes estimates at $8.7 billion.

According to recent court documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Michaels’ attorney, Bryan Freedman—also known for representing Justin Baldoni in a legal dispute with Blake Lively—filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit without prejudice. This legal maneuver signifies a temporary halt, allowing the possibility for Armstrong to reinitiate the case at a future date.

On Monday, court documents obtained by Daily Mail show Michaels’ attorney Bryan Freedman — who also represents Justin Baldoni in his legal battle with Blake Lively — filed a motion to dismiss the suit without prejudice, meaning the case is being ended temporarily and Armstrong can refile at a later date.

David Geffen’s estranged boytoy husband Donovan Michaels has abruptly dropped his bombshell civil lawsuit against the billionaire media mogul; (Geffen and Michaels in 2024)

On Monday, court documents obtained by Daily Mail show Michael’s attorney Bryan Freedman — who also represents Justin Baldoni in his legal battle with Blake Lively — filed a motion to dismiss the suit without prejudice, meaning the case is being ended temporarily and Armstrong can refile at a later date

Daily Mail has not received a response to its request for comment from Freedman or Geffen. 

As for the financial conflicts – Michaels has previously claimed he’s entitled to community property – Freedman told TMZ on Tuesday that the issues will be resolved in mediation. 

Court filings by Geffen in September show he’s willing to pay up to $50,000 a month in spousal support — but only for a year, and only if he gets credit for what he’s already paid, according to TMZ.

And fork out he has: filings reveal Geffen has already dished out $200,000 in cash since their February split, another $200,000 for rehab, plus the keys to a $15,000-a-month Manhattan apartment rent-free, per the outlet.

In Michaels’ July civil suit filing, he said their split came after Geffen filed for divorce back in May and is ‘not about a mere personal falling out’. 

Instead, he alleged the breakdown was about the systemic exploitation of a vulnerable, marginalized young gay black man by a wealthy, powerful white gay billionaire who believed himself untouchable’.

‘Behind the glittering façade of their relationship was a calculated pattern of abuse and commodification,’ the 33-page legal complaint alleged.

In his complaint, Michaels said while in Florida, he ‘fell into exotic dancing and X-rated videos’ and that in order to ‘survive’ he went on SeekingArrangements.com – a website he says connects people for ‘mutually beneficial’ relationships’, where Geffen contacted him and was ‘more than eager to meet Michaels in person’.

As for the financial conflicts – Michaels has previously claimed he’s entitled to community property – Freedman told TMZ on Tuesday that the issues will be resolved in mediation; (pictured 2023)

Court filings by Geffen in September show he’s willing to pay up to $50,000 a month in spousal support — but only for a year, and only if he gets credit for what he’s already paid 

Geffen allegedly paid Michaels $10,000 for sex on the night they first met back in 2016, and over time, their paid sexual relationship developed into a romantic partnership, according to the lawsuit seen by the Daily Mail.

‘Geffen told Michaels he loved him, and the two agreed to treat each other as life partners, share all assets equally, and that Geffen would support Michaels financially for life,’ the complaint stated.

‘Michaels gave up his dreams – his modeling career, his independence – to dedicate himself fully to this promise,’ the complaint added.

The complaint also alleged that while Geffen was celebrating aboard his superyacht in Venice last month – surrounded by A-list guests ahead of the Jeff Bezos–Lauren Sanchez wedding – he ordered Michaels to ‘immediately vacate’ their New York home – a move that would leave him without a home. 

The suit claims ‘at the very same time, Geffen was decadently and extravagantly partying and dancing the night away in Venice, Italy with the other .0001% of the wealthiest people on the planet,’ the complaint states. 

Geffen then allegedly cut off Michaels’ financial support, making it ‘impossible’ for him to secure stable housing or cover basic living expenses. 

‘In addition to evicting Michaels, Geffen also cut him off from his status quo financial support, making it impossible for Michaels to secure an appropriate living situation and provide for his daily necessities,’ the complaint states. 

‘While Geffen holds himself out to the public as an extraordinarily charitable man whose foundation gives millions and millions of dollars to advocacy and support groups for the homeless and disadvantaged populations, he is simultaneously endeavoring to render Michaels impoverished and homeless.’ 

As well as Michael’s claims about the final days together, it included a series of astonishing allegations about what went on during their relationship. 

‘Geffen also found additional ways to satisfy his unquenchable thirst for control over Michaels,’ the lawsuit claims.

‘With backhanded insults and put-downs about Michaels’ past and lack of sophistication, Geffen cultivated Michaels’ insecurity and self-doubt. He critiqued every aspect of Michaels’ appearance and exercised strict control over his body hygiene.’ 

Geffen allegedly paid Michaels $10,000 for sex on the night they first met back in 2016, and over time, their paid sexual relationship developed into a romantic partnership, according to the lawsuit seen by the Daily Mail. Pictured: David Geffen, Patrick Whitesell, Donovan Michaels & Michael B. Jordan courtside during the game during Game Three of the Western Conference Semi-Finals of the 2023 NBA Playoffs

The complaint also alleges that while Geffen was celebrating aboard his superyacht in Venice last month – surrounded by A-list guests ahead of the Jeff Bezos–Lauren Sanchez wedding – he ordered Michaels to ‘immediately vacate’ their New York home – a move that would leave him without a home. Pictured: David Geffen’s yacht Rising Sun

The billionaire record executive reportedly ordered his ex-lover to ‘undergo extensive, painful’ treatments to conform to his idea of ‘perfection.’ 

‘Geffen required Michaels to undergo extensive, painful laser and dental treatments. Even something as minor as an ingrown hair could provoke Geffen’s ire and prompt a barrage of instructions to correct the imperfection,’ according to the complaint.

Michaels claimed he was ‘awestruck by Geffen’, a ‘philanthropist’ who ‘talked the talk’ when the younger man revealed issues ‘during his underprivileged upbringing,’ during the ill-fated couple’s first meeting nine years ago.

In his complaint, Michaels said he ‘opened up to Geffen’, confiding in him ‘about the painful realities of his life – his traumatic upbringing in the Michigan foster care system, his lack of a real family, his instability, and his prior run-ins with the law’.

He went on that he ‘spoke candidly, not to gain sympathy from Geffen, but because he believed he had finally found someone who could understand and maybe even care’.

But Michaels claimed his then future husband ‘weaponized [his] vulnerability to fulfill his own personal fantasies’, including the lucrative financial transaction he alleges was made on the first night they met.

The former model turned go-go dancer claimed Geffen ‘used Michaels’ tragic story not as a reason to offer genuine support, but as a grooming tool – casting himself as savior, ‘white knight,’ mentor, and gatekeeper to a better life’.

Michaels claims he was ‘awestruck by Geffen’, a ‘philanthropist’ who ‘talked the talk’ when the younger man revealed issues ‘during his underprivileged upbringing,’ during the ill-fated couple’s first meeting nine years ago. Pictured: David Geffen (L) and Elton John attend the opening of the Roxy Theatre in Hollywood, California

Geffen reportedly dated famous singer, Cher, for about two years in the mid-1970s, their relationship began shortly after Cher separated from Sonny Bono. Pictured: Cher and her then-boyfriend music mogul David Geffen attend an event in 1973

The younger man claimed he became a ‘private sexual object and a public prop’ that Geffen allegedly used to show off his ‘self-proclaimed altruism to impress his powerful network’.

‘From that moment forward, Geffen began transporting Michaels across the globe as his paid sex worker,’ the complaint continued.

In the documents, Michaels claimed the mogul used him as a ‘living social experiment – a trophy to show off to his wealthy friends, under the guise of benevolence’.

In Geffen’s September filing, handled by Hollywood’s go-to divorce shark Laura Wasser, Geffen claims he’s bent over backwards to settle the ugly spousal support fight — but mediation tanked, and he accused Armstrong of trying to squeeze him with a media smear campaign.

The mogul also reminded the court of the obvious: he was already 80 and long retired when he walked down the aisle, meaning there was no community property built up during the whirlwind 23-month marriage. 

In another filing, Geffen cut to the chase, asking the judge to legally declare him single, per TMZ.

He said the marriage was ‘undoubtedly irremediably broken down’ and makes it crystal clear he wants out as soon as possible.

Geffen and Michaels reportedly tied the knot quietly in Beverly Hills.

Just weeks later, the pair were spotted stepping off a Manhattan helipad, with Geffen flashing a gold wedding band — the first public clue the mogul had made it official with his much-younger beau.

But Michaels has a past that’s anything but polished. 

And fork out he has: Court filings reveal Geffen’s already shelled out $200,000 in cash since their February split, another $200,000 for rehab, plus the keys to a $15,000-a-month Manhattan pad rent-free, per the outlet; (pictured June 2024)

His career has consisted of stringing together odd-jobs while socializing in NYC modeling circles, sources told The New York Post.

Michaels was born in small town Michigan with the name David Armstrong, a friend told The Post, saying he came from ‘very humble beginnings’ in a family of 13 kids.

He changed his name to Brandon Foster by the time he moved to Florida in 2014, and began working as a dancer and promoter at Miami gay clubs. 

Friends told The Post he was frequently seen ‘along with plenty of other hot sexy guys,’ and attending ‘clothing optional’ swim parties.

His social media posts included numerous shirtless shots where he flaunted his fit body, including one from that year that said he would be ‘doing a little camming tonight.’ He noted that for paying customers he would ‘put on a good show.’

Sometime between 2016 and 2017 he moved to New York City and started going by Donovan Michaels.

A former girlfriend said she only knew of him dating women, but that she ‘wouldn’t be surprised’ if he were with men.

In the fresh court filings handled by Hollywood’s go-to divorce shark Laura Wasser, Geffen claims he’s bent over backwards to settle the ugly spousal support fight — but mediation tanked, and he accuses Armstrong of trying to squeeze him with a media smear campaign 

‘I mean, he’s very attractive,’ she told The Post. ‘He would tell me people just assumed that he was into guys from what he posts on Instagram.’

‘I know that he was getting comments like that from gay men, that he was really attractive and in really good shape.’

A friend of Michael’s said he wouldn’t be surprised if he’d married Geffen, noting he was ‘always looking for his next adventure and was really determined to improve his life.’

Geffen came out as gay in 1992 after years of being linked to a string of well-known women, including Cher.

It was not Geffen’s first age gap romance. In 2012, when he was 69, he split from Jeremy Lingvall, who was 41 at the time, after six years together. 

Geffen (R) co-founded Dreamworks in 1994 with Jeffrey Katzenberg (L) and Steven Spielberg (C); they are pictured in 1996

In 2012 the music mogul also dated 20-year-old former college football player Jamie Kuntz, and at one point filed a restraining order against him. 

Earlier in his storied career, Geffen founded Asylum records, which signed musical sensations like Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, and the Eagles. 

He later founded Geffen records, which went on to release the work of artists including Elton John, Cher, Aerosmith, Blink-182, Guns N’ Roses, and Nirvana.

Along with Jeffrey Katzenberg and Steven Spielberg, Geffen co-founded DreamWorks in the 1990s.