Warner Bros.’ chief steps down after scandal
NEW YORK — Warner Bros. chief Kevin Tsujihara, one of the highest ranking Hollywood executives to be felled by sexual misconduct allegations, stepped down from the studio Monday following claims that he promised roles to an actress with whom he was having an affair.
WarnerMedia chief executive John Stankey announced Tsujihara’s exit as chairman and chief executive of Warner Bros., saying his departure was in the studio’s “best interest.”
“Kevin has contributed greatly to the studio’s success over the past 25 years and for that we thank him,” said Stankey. “Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the company’s leadership expectations and could impact the company’s ability to execute going forward.”
Earlier this month, WarnerMedia launched an investigation after a March 6 Hollywood Reporter story detailed text messages between Tsujihara and British actress Charlotte Kirk going back to 2013. The messages suggested a quid pro quo sexual relationship between the aspiring actress and the studio head in which he promised to introduce her to influential executives and said she’d be considered for roles.
In a memo to Warner Bros. staff on Monday, Tsujihara said he was departing “after lengthy introspection.” He said that “It has become clear that my continued leadership could be a distraction and an obstacle to the company’s continued success.” Tsujihara’s attorney, Bert Deixler, earlier stated that Tsujihara “had no direct role in the hiring of this actress.”
Tsujihara, who has headed the studio since 2013, earlier pledged to fully cooperate with the studio’s investigation and apologized to Warner Bros. staff for “mistakes in my personal life that have caused pain and embarrassment to the people I love the most.”
Tsujihara’s role had just been expanded on Feb. 28 to include global kids and family entertainment, including oversight of Adult Swim and the Cartoon Network.
Kirk has denied any inappropriate behavior on the part of Tsujihara or two other executives, Brett Ratner and James Packer, she communicated with. “Mr. Tsujihara never promised me anything,” Kirk said.
But the details of the leaked text messages between Tsujihara and Kirk immediately put his future at Warner Bros. in jeopardy. Kirk wrote in one 2015 message to him: “Are u going to help me like u said u would?” Tsujhara responded, “Richard will be reaching out to u tonight,” referring to Richard Brener, president of Warner Bros.’ New Line label.