FREEMAN SEEKS REDEMPTION
Star apologises after eight make claims of sexual harassment
MORGAN Freeman has apologised after shocking revelations of sexual harassment against him by multiple women.
The Oscar-winning actor has issued an apology for making women feel “uneasy” after a CNN report in which eight women alleged that he sexually harassed them or made inappropriate remarks.
“Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy,” Freeman said in a statement obtained by Variety.
“I apologise to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected — that was never my intent.”
Eight women have accused Freeman of harassment and inappropriate behaviour, alleging he touched them inappropriately and made suggestive comments about their appearance, according to a report by CNN.
The network interviewed 16 people who described a pattern of inappropriate behaviour by the 80-year-old star on set, while promoting his movies and at his production company, Revelations Entertainment.
Seven women described an environment at the company that included alleged harassment or inappropriate behaviour, with one incident allegedly witnessed by Lori McCreary, his co-founder in the enterprise, and another in which he made demeaning comments at her in a public setting.
In one incident cited by CNN, a young production assistant who worked on Going In Style, a 2015 bank heist flick starring Freeman, Michael Caine and Alan Arkin, said she was harassed for several months.
She alleged Freeman subjected her to unwanted touching and comments about her figure and clothing almost every day and that he would place his hand on her lower back or rub her lower back.
In one case, she said, he “kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear,” but he never succeeded in lifting it up because she would move away.
Eventually, she said, “Alan (Arkin) made a comment telling him to stop. Morgan got freaked out and didn’t know what to say.”
The Shawshank Redemption and Driving Miss Daisy actor’s alleged inappropriate behaviour also took place on other movie sets, sources told CNN.
Three entertainment reporters also said Freeman made inappropriate remarks to them during press junkets, publicity events for reporters who cover new films.
One of them, CNN reporter Chloe Melas — who co-authored the network’s expose — alleged that Freeman made inappropriate comments to her about her pregnancy when she was covering the release of Going in Style.
Melas, who was six months pregnant, said Freeman told her “I wish I was there” as he ogled her while cameras were recording. She said Freeman also told her: “You are ripe.”
CNN asked Freeman’s spokesman for comment.