Freeman issues apology after women’s claims of harassment
Morgan Freeman, the Oscar-winning Hollywood actor, has been accused of harassment or inappropriate behaviour by eight women.
The allegations were made as part of an investigation by CNN, and the alleged victims included one of the television network’s own journalists.
Two other journalists were also among those making claims against the 80-yearold actor, along with women who had worked on film sets with him, and at his production company.
According to CNN, the eight women claimed to have been subjected to ‘‘what some called harassment and others called inappropriate behaviour’’.
In a statement last night, Freeman apologised for his behaviour, adding that it was ‘‘never my intent’’ to make women feel uncomfortable.
One production assistant on the 2017 film claimed Freeman ‘‘kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear’’.
She said Alan Arkin, who also starred in the film, told Freeman to stop, and ‘‘Morgan got freaked out and didn’t know what to say’’.
The woman, who was in her early 20s, claimed Freeman targeted her almost daily with unwanted comments and touching that included rubbing her lower back, causing her to return home from work in tears.
Others alleged that Freeman made women feel uncomfortable on film sets and at Revelations Entertainment, his production company.
A witness there claimed to CNN that he was like a ‘‘creepy uncle’’ and that he tried to massage an intern’s shoulder before she ‘‘wiggled out of his grasp’’. It was also alleged that he stared at women’s breasts and pressed himself up against a female employee during a group photograph.
He was said to have asked one woman: ‘‘How do you feel about sexual harassment?’’
One woman, who worked as a member of the production staff on the 2012 thriller
claimed: ‘‘He did comment on our bodies. 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 fitted.’’
CNN said its investigation began after Chloe Melas, its entertainment reporter who was six months pregnant at the time, interviewed Freeman over a year ago. She said the actor repeatedly looked her up and down, and made comments including ‘‘You are ripe’’. Cameras were on and caught Freeman saying ‘‘Boy, do I wish I was there’’.
The incident took place in a room full of people that included Michael Caine, who was also in the film. CNN said a representative for Caine had declined to comment.
A further eight people claimed they witnessed inappropriate behaviour.
CNN said it contacted dozens of people who had worked with the actor, and some described him as a consummate professional.
Freeman said: ‘‘Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy. I apologise to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected – that was never my intent.’’