Morgan Freeman has issued an apology in response to a CNN report alleging a history of sexual harassment and inappropriate comments from the lauded actor, saying he would never “intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy.”
The statement comes after CNN spoke to 16 people who state they have been the target of the 80-year-old’s actions, or have witnessed his allegedly inappropriate behaviour towards others.
CNN spoke to individuals who allege inappropriate behaviour by Freeman on movie sets, at his production company Revelations Entertainment, or at press events.
One production assistant alleges Freeman repeatedly tried to lift her skirt on the set of Going In Style, and only stopped when he was chastised by male co-star Alan Arkin.
A female member of production staff on Now You See Me alleges that Freeman sexually harassed her by repeatedly commenting on her body and those of other women on set, and that they deliberately wore non-fitted clothing on days they knew he’d be present.
Others allege Freeman engaged in similar practices at Relevations Entertainment. One senior manager said “I can’t say it was an accident that I’d be wearing a potato sack and a ponytail on certain days when he was there and do my best to avoid him when he was in the office.”
Reporters, including the CNN article’s co-author Chloe Melas, allege Freeman made troubling comments at various press events.
Melas, who was pregnant when she interviewed Freeman at a Going In Style press event, alleges he made concerning remarks including “I wish I was there” and “you are ripe.”
Many of the people who stepped forward for the report state they feared their employment would be at risk if they presented those allegations against Freeman due to his stature in the entertainment industry.
While Freeman has not responded to the specific allegations laid out in the report, he told the network “anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy.
“I apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected — that was never my intent.”
The report is just the latest in a long line of articles alleging inappropriate behaviour by Hollywood luminaries in the wake of the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements.
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