Weekend Argus (Saturday Edition)
Freeman accused of sexual harassment
Eight women make claims against Oscar winner
AT LEAST eight women have accused Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman of subjecting them to inappropriate behaviour or harassment on film sets or at promotional events, CNN has reported.
As part of its investigation of the 80-year-old, CNN said it had spoken to 16 people, some who also alleged inappropriate behaviour by Freeman at his production company Revelations Entertainment. Freeman said he was sorry to anyone who had been made to feel uncomfortable or disrespected.
“Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy,” he said. “I apologise to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected – that was never my intent.”
Representatives for Freeman and Revelations Entertainment did not respond to requests for comment.
Following the report, credit card company Visa said it was suspending its “marketing in which the actor is featured”. Freeman has been the long-time voice of Visa television adverts.
A torrent of accusations of sexual misconduct against male actors, filmmakers and agents have roiled Hollywood over past months, some leading to resignations and halting of projects.
Similar accusations have also engulfed powerful men in US politics and business and inspired a #MeToo social media movement by people publicly sharing their stories of sexual harassment or abuse.
CNN reported on Thursday that eight people told the network they were victims of what some labelled harassment and others called inappropriate behaviour by Freeman, and eight others said they witnessed the alleged misconduct. It reported sources denied having seen questionable behaviour and described him as behaving professionally on set and in the office.
Freeman, whose career has spanned 50 years and more than 100 movies, won a Oscar in 2005 for best supporting actor in Million Dollar Baby. – Reuters