Actor Morgan Freeman has issued an apology after eight woman accused him of sexually harassing them or making inappropriate remarks.
In a CNN report, multiple women have come forward alleging Freeman touched them inappropriately or made suggestive comments about their appearance on movie sets and other professional settings.
One production assistant alleges Freeman repeatedly “kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear” while she was working on the 2017 film Going In Style, behaviour she says happened on a daily basis.
A senior member of production on the staff of Now You See Me in 2012 told CNN that The Shawshank Redemption actor made comments about her body and her female assistant’s body on multiple occasions.
“We knew that if he was coming by … not to wear any top that would show our breasts, not to wear anything that would show our bottoms, meaning not wearing clothes that [were] fitted,” she said.
The article’s co-writer, Chloe Melas, is among Freeman’s accusers, saying the actor made inappropriate comments to her while she was pregnant and interviewing him at a press junket for Going In Style. The reporter alleges Freeman said “I wish I was there” while repeatedly looking her body up and down and adding “You are ripe”.
Of the 16 people in CNN’s report, eight said they had experienced harassment or inappropriate behaviour, while eight reported witnessing conduct of that nature.
The 80-year-old actor has apologised in a statement released by his publicist and published by Variety.
“Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy,” Freeman said.
“I apologise to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected – that was never my intent.”
For support or more information, contact 1800 RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
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