Geoffrey Rush could win millions over false groping claims
OSCAR winner Geoffrey Rush could be in line for millions of pounds in compensation over false claims that he groped a co-star.
A judge ruled yesterday that the 67-year-old actor was defamed by a newspaper that carried the allegations.
He was awarded an initial £450,000 but the final payout could be much higher. It will be set by a damages hearing next month.
The King’s Speech star says he has missed out on around £2.5million of work since the Sydney Daily Telegraph carried a story headlined ‘King Leer’.
The reports alleged he molested Eryn Jean Norvill, 34, while they were performing in a Sydney Theatre Company production of King Lear in 2015 and 2016.
Rush’s lawyer, Bill McClintock, said the allegations meant the actor might never regain his confidence and desire to work.
Outside court, Rush thanked his wife Jane and family and accused the newspaper of portraying him as a pervert and sexual predator. ‘There are no winners in this case,’ he added. ‘It’s been extremely distressing for everyone involved.’
The defamatory articles appeared in November 2017, a month after the MeToo movement began amid revelations against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein. Michael Wigney, the Australian federal court justice who presided over a three-week supreme court trial, was scathing about the newspaper.
‘This was, in all the circumstances, a recklessly irresponsible piece of sensationalist journalism of the very worst kind,’ the judge said. ‘It was difficult to avoid the conclusion that it was calculated to damage.’
Miss Norvill, who played Cordelia in the production, did not speak to the newspaper before the articles were published but agreed to testify at the trial.
She claimed that while she was playing dead during a preview performance, Rush stroked his hand across the side of her right breast and on to her hip.
He denied these allegations as well as others of making lewd gestures and comments.
Judge Wigney said he did not find Miss Norvill’s evidence ‘credible or reliable’ and he accepted Rush’s testimony. Miss Norvill said outside court that she stood by her evidence.
‘I never wanted these issues dealt with by a court. This case has caused hurt for everyone,’ she insisted. ‘There are no winners, only losers.’
Sydney Theatre Company had said in a 2017 statement that Miss Norvill complained of Rush’s ‘inappropriate behaviour’ after the production ended. The Sydney Telegraph’s editor Ben English said he was reviewing the judgment.
‘We are disappointed with Justice Wigney’s findings, in particular his dismissal of Eryn Jean Norvill’s evidence,’ he said. ‘We disagree with his criticisms of her and she has our full support.’
Rush won his best actor Oscar in 1996 for portraying pianist David Helfgott in Shine and was nominated for Shakespeare in Love, Quills and The King’s Speech. The father of two received his nation’s highest civilian honour in 2014, the Companion of the Order of Australia.