9 women hit Freeman as a harasser

NINE WOMEN have accused legendary actor Morgan Freeman of crossing the line with sexually inappropriate comments or conduct, including one who claims the Oscar-winner asked if she was wearing underwear and tried to lift her skirt.

Eight of the women spoke to CNN as part of a months-long investigation. They said the 80-year-old star of “Driving Miss Daisy,” “The Shawshank Redemption” and “Million Dollar Baby” made unwanted advances, ranging from sexually charged verbal harassment to touching.

The 20-something production assistant in the alleged skirtlifting incident said it happened the summer of 2015, when she worked on “Going in Style,” a crime comedy starring Freeman (top), Michael Caine and Alan Arkin.

“(He) kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear,” the unidentified woman told CNN. She said each time Freeman tried to tug at her clothing, she would move away.

“Alan (Arkin) made a comment telling him to stop. Morgan got freaked out and didn’t know what to say,” the woman said. She also said Freeman rested his hand on her lower back and rubbed it without consent.

Freeman says he never intentionally harassed anyone. “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 apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected — that was never my intent,” he said.

Longtime entertainment reporter Florence Anthony (center), who freelances for The News said that she had a run-in with Freeman in 1987 that included a “sexually inappropriate” comment she never forgot.

Anthony said she was late to an interview with the actor about his role in the Off-Broadway production of “Driving Miss Daisy,” and she was taken aback by his response when she explained she was recovering from surgery for ovarian cancer.

“You girls and your ovarian cancer. Didn’t your mother tell you to keep your legs crossed and your dress down?” Freeman said, according to Anthony. A spokesman for Freeman did not respond to a request for comment on Anthony’s recollection.

Three other entertainment reporters recounted problematic behavior from Freeman, according to CNN, including the station’s entertainment reporter Chloe Melas (bottom), who co-authored the investigation.

Melas said she was six months pregnant when Freeman made multiple crass comments, including one caught on tape.

“Boy, do I wish I was there,” he told Melas as he looked her up and down in the clip played on CNN.

After the encounter more than a year ago, Melas reported the incident to her bosses and started calling other women.

The Screen Actors Guild said it’s considering whether to take “corrective actions” regarding Freeman, which could include rescinding the Life Achievement Award he received in January.

Visa and TransLink, the Vancouver public transit system, which feature Freeman in their advertisements have put their work with the actor on hold.