MORGAN ‘THE SEX PEST’
8 women accuse star of inappropriate behaviour
MORGAN Freeman has been accused of sexual misconduct by eight women in the latest Hollywood sleaze scandal.
The screen legend allegedly engaged in “inappropriate behaviour” and “harassment” of co-workers. A film assistant on Going in Style claimed he “kept trying to lift up my skirt”. Another alleged women avoided wearing tight clothing on set as he commented on their bodies. Freeman, 80, said last night: “I apologise to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected, that was never my intent.”
AN assistant on a Morgan Freeman film has claimed the alleged sex pest repeatedly targeted her on set.
The woman is one of eight to accuse the movie legend of “inappropriate behaviour” going back a decade. Eight witness have also come forward.
She claims when working on Going in Style, Freeman “kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear”. And he allegedly tried it on several times until co-star Alan Arkin stepped in. The woman said: “Alan made a comment telling him to stop. Morgan got freaked out and didn’t know what to say.”
A co-worker on the 2012 movie Now You See Me claimed women never wore tight clothes when Freeman was on set.
She added: “He did comment on our bodies. We knew not to wear any top that would show our breasts, anything that would show our bottoms, meaning not wearing clothes that [were] fitted.”
At least one incident was allegedly witnessed by Lori McCreary, co-founder of his Revelations Entertainment firm. Her spokesman refused comment.
Several of the women claim they never spoke publicly about Freeman’s alleged behaviour before because they were afraid of losing their jobs.
The twice-married 80-year-old also made inappropriate comments to reporters at interviews, an investigation by US TV station CNN claims.
One, Chloe Melas accused him of calling her “ripe” as they chatted in a packed room. She was six months pregnant at the time.
The CNN entertainment reporter claims dad-of-four Freeman repeatedly looked her up and down and said: “I wish I was there.”
The investigation reported that his alleged conduct was of an open secret in Hollywood, with multiple sources naming the star.
Freeman said of the claims last night: “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.” Freeman is the latest Hollywood star to be accused of sexual misconduct since the Harvey Weinstein scandal broke.
Others include Steven Seagal, Michael Douglas, Dustin Hoffman and Kevin Spacey, who all deny wrongdoing.
Freeman’s movies include The Shawshank Redemption with Tim Robbins, Bruce Almighty, starring Jim Carrey and Driving Miss Daisy.
Michael Caine also played alongside him in 2015’s Going in Style.