Women accuse Louis C.K. of harassment
NEW YORK — Comedian Louis C.K. has been accused of sexual misconduct toward several women, including masturbating in front of them to their horror and embarrassment, according to a report in The New York Times.
Five women — including comedians Dana Min Goodman, Abby Schachner, Julia Wolov and Rebecca Corry — allege the Emmy-winning star of FX’s “Louie” either pleasured himself in front of them, asked to do it or did so over the phone. A fifth woman detailed her allegations against C.K. but was not identified.
A publicist for C.K. did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Another publicist told the Times the comedian would not respond.
Corry alleges the comedian, while she was working on a TV pilot in 2005, asked “if we could go to my dressing room so he could masturbate in front of me.” She declined “and he told me he had issues.” The show’s executive producers, Courteney Cox and David Arquette, confirmed Corry’s account.
In anticipation of the report, the New York premiere of Louis C.K.’s controversial new film “I Love You, Daddy” was canceled Thursday night and C.K.’s scheduled Friday appearance on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” also has been scrapped. The small distribution company handling the release of “I Love You Daddy” said it is reviewing the situation.
C.K. is among the latest Hollywood figures to be accused of misconduct in a wave that began when dozens of sexual harassment allegations were reported last month against film mogul Harvey Weinstein.
Known for his candid, warts-and-all personal humor, which often includes bodily fluids and sex, C.K. grew up outside Boston. He performed stand-up sets in New York and eventually landed a writing gig on Conan O’Brien’s “Late Night” and David Letterman’s “Late Show.”
He went on to become the head writer of “The Dana Carvey Show” from 199596 and contributed to the animated “TV Funhouse” vignettes on “Saturday Night Live.”
He was a writer on “The Chris Rock Show” and voiced patients on Comedy Central’s “Dr. Katz, Professional Therapist.” He also wrote and directed the film “Pootie Tang,” an infamous bomb.
C.K.’s comedy-writing and production tentacles spread throughout TV and film. He’s credited as a creator of the Zach Galifianakis show “Baskets,” in its third season on FX, and of Pamela Adlon’s show “Better Things,” now in its second season on FX. He also is developing another series for FX called “The Cops” in which he’s set to star opposite Albert Brooks. C.K. is an executive producer of comedian Tig Notaro’s Amazon series, “One Mississippi.” He starred in a Netflix special earlier this year that was nominated for two Emmy Awards.