Bruce Willis strikes back at photographer

Actor Bruce Willis sued photographer Anthony Goodrich Monday for defamation after the photographer claimed Willis hit him outside an LA restaurant last week.

In the suit, Willis said he did not strike Goodrich, but had "exceedingly minimal and inadvertent" contact with the photographer. Willis said he was trying to protect his face from the blinding camera flashes.

According to WIllis, Goodrich slandered him by telling TMZ.com that he had responded violently to the photographer's advances.

"Goodrich falsely stated that Willis stiff-armed Goodrich, shoved the photographer and pushed his camera into his face, causing injury to Goodrich's nose and teeth," the suit said.

"It was a totally fabricated report," said attorney Martin D. Singer, who added that Willis "was very upset over the story."

Willis is suing for $1 million in damages to his "reputation" and "career."