Actors face new allegations
UNITED STATES: Hollywood’s widening sexual harassment crisis brought forth a second actor’s allegation against actor Kevin Spacey yesterday, halted production on his Netflix series House of Cards, and prompted TV network CBS to check an actress’s claim that she was groped by Entourage star Jeremy Piven.
Mexican actor Robert Cavazos wrote on his Facebook page that he encountered Spacey at the bar of London’s Old Vic Theatre, where Spacey was artistic director from 2004 to 2015, and the actor tried to fondle him against his will.
In a statement, the theatre expressed ‘‘deep dismay’' at the allegations and said ‘‘inappropriate behaviour by anyone working at The Old Vic is completely unacceptable’'.
In recent days, Hollywood has reacted swiftly to allegations of sexual harassment and assault. Producer Harvey Weinstein was fired from the company he founded. Weinstein has denied engaging in any nonconsensual sexual contact.
Dozens of women, including actresses Selma Blair and Rachel McAdams, have alleged that writer and director James Toback sexually harassed or assaulted them. Toback has denied the allegations.
Yesterday, however, the Beverly Hills Police Department said it was investigating both men after receiving ‘‘multiple complaints’'. It did not specify the nature of the complaints.
CBS said it was ‘‘looking into’' a claim by actress and reality TV star Ariane Bellamar that Emmy Award winner Piven groped her on two occasions.
Piven said in a statement that he ‘‘unequivocally’' denies the ‘‘appalling allegations being peddled about me’’. Meanwhile, an Ontario actress said yesterday she wanted to file a civil lawsuit against Weinstein, alleging that he sexually assaulted her nearly two decades ago, if she could proceed without her name being made public.
The actress says Weinstein overpowered her in a hotel suite, pushed her on to a bed, and exposed himself and performed oral sex on her without her consent.