5 women accuse Louis C.K. of sexual misconduct

Separate accounts told of comic’s alleged behavior.

Comic Louis C.K. is the latest artist to be ensnared in allegations of sexual misconduct, joining a growing list of Hollywood power players including Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Brett Ratner and James Toback, among others.

Rumors of inappropriate behavior have dogged C.K., star of multiple comedy specials and the TV show “Louie,” for years. On Thursday, five women went on the record to accuse the Emmy-winning comedian of inappropriate sexual behavior, according to an investigation published in the New York Times.

Hours ahead of the report’s publication, Thursday’s New York premiere of C.K.’s film “I Love You, Daddy” was canceled, as was his scheduled appearance on CBS’ “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”

Actresses and comedians Dana Min Goodman, Julia Wolov, Abby Schachner, Rebecca Corry and a fifth woman who remained anonymous shared their stories in the New York Times’ Weinstein-style exposé. Each of the women, several of whom once looked up to C.K., alleged incidents of him masturbating — or requesting to — in front of them.

A lawyer for C.K. did not immediately respond to comment from The Associated Press, but a representative for the comedian said Thursday that C.K. would issue a written statement in the coming days.

The 50-year-old C.K., real name Louis Szekely, has frequently discussed and mimed masturbation in his stand-up routines, often referring to the “constant perverted sexual thoughts” he has.

When stories of alleged misconduct went public over the last few years, C.K. dismissed them as “rumors.”

The N.Y. premiere of Louis C.K.’s new film was canceled.