Morgan Freeman released a new statement late Friday in the wake of multiple allegations of harassment, saying he “did not assault women†nor “create unsafe work environments.â€
Sixteen individuals came forward Thursday with allegations of sexual misconduct and “inappropriate behavior†against the 80-year-old actor in a CNN story. After releasing a brief apology via his representative (“Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasyâ€), the 80-year-old actor issued a longer one before the Memorial Day holiday weekend.
“I am devastated that 80 years of my life is at risk of being undermined, in the blink of an eye, by Thursday’s media reports,†the statement reads. “All victims of assault and harassment deserve to be heard. And we need to listen to them. But it is not right to equate horrific incidents of sexual assault with misplaced compliments or humor. I admit that I am someone who feels a need to try to make women—and men—feel appreciated and at ease around me. As a part of that, I would often try to joke with and compliment women, in what I thought was a light-hearted and humorous way. Clearly I was not always coming across the way I intended. And that is why I apologized Thursday and will continue to apologize to anyone I might have upset, however unintentionally. But I also want to be clear: I did not create unsafe work environments. I did not assault women. I did not offer employment or advancement in exchange for sex. Any suggestion that I did so is completely false.â€
After the CNN article was published, the Screen Actors Guild is reportedly deciding whether to revoke on the recent lifetime achievement award it gave to Freeman. “These are compelling and devastating allegations which are absolutely contrary to all the steps that we are taking to insure (sic) a safe work environment for the professionals in this industry,†the union said in a statement obtained by CNN. “Any accused person has the right to due process, but it is our starting point to believe the courageous voices who come forward to report incidents of harassment. Given Mr. Freeman recently received one of our union’s most prestigious honors recognizing his body of work, we are therefore reviewing what corrective actions may be warranted at this time.â€
CNN also reported that Visa suspended its marketing campaign featuring Freeman. “We are aware of the allegations that have been made against Mr. Freeman. At this point, Visa will be suspending our marketing in which the actor is featured,†reads a company statement issued on Thursday
Freeman is currently an executive producer on the CBS drama Madam Secretary and has several films in various stages of production in the works, including the Disney fantasy The Nutcracker and the Four Realms and the Olympus Has Fallen sequel, Angel Has Fallen.
This story by LYNETTE RICE for Entertainment Weekly
Divide 60 by the number of minutes it took you to stroll 1 mile.
Shawshank Redemption IMDB score going down, down, doooowwwwwnnnnn……
Nooooooooooo I love that movie!
All men are disgusting and Morgan Freeman is one of the worst! He was always a disgusting man, we just didn’t know it. Now that it’s been proven that he assaulted all these girls during his career as royalty he deserves no compassion, no mercy, no respect, no life!!! He needs to get his comeuppance. He should be called out for his bad behavior, and his victims have a right to be heard, whether at the moment or later (given the enormous imbalance of power at play) Stupid people like Trump will protect and honor and glodryfi this GDGDGD bastard and to what avail?!?!?!? so these people can keep raping and tourturing young children! When wil it stop1?!? when will men stop abusing women!!?!? yes, I am a black man, but I will not stick by black or any other color rapits!!!.
Now people will take his reruns off the air, take his honorary degrees from him and crack jokes at his expense. Put him on house arrest and leave him alone. He’s old and going blind. What can he do to anybody?
Boy, nothing with a penis is safe these days.
Leave the old guy alone. Shawshank Redemption. March of the Penguins 🧠If he ever crossed the line, there are millions more people that have done much worse.
As an assault survivor, I can assure you there is a difference between harassment and rape. I, obviously, do not support either but I wish everyone would be clearer on the distinction. The punishment should fit the crime. Having your life ruined because you said something 20 years ago is asinine. Certainly, for many of these guys it’s a pattern of behavior that’s been excused and should definitely be corrected. But if you did cocaine in 1979 how would you feel about being arrested for it now. Hold them accountable but please stop making unsolicited comments sound like its gang rape. It is not.
Another perverted liberal bites the dust.
If we, as women, don’t quickly differentiate between the types of sexual behaviour that are criminal and just socially unacceptable, we stand to alienate 49% of the population in our fervent action to cleanse the planet.
Omg! we aren’t going to be popular with the boys anymore. Insert (sad face). We shouldn’t strive for a safe work, school, or home environment where your boss isn’t making verbally inappropriate comments, like Mr. Freeman’s comments to a reporter “ripe” or his attempts to lift the skirts of a co-worker. That’s all ok I guess for you, but not for the women who spent their time going to school and getting good results to be then treated like an “object” yet again in life.
Again, let’s differentiate between criminal sexual behavior and socially unacceptable actions. What was done to women 20, 30 years ago, let alone 2 years ago is no longer acceptable. And that is a good thing. But don’t destroy men, especially those old enough not to have been taught better, for some comments or actions. I am 65 and I have seen everything so don’t try and explain the world to me. I have lived it. But I am also not willing to judge people for actions committed in a different time with different values, I am just grateful that the times are changing and you and all other women will benefit from these changes.
Sorry, there is no differentiation. I respect all Morgan Freeman’s contributions to film and it’s precisely why I thought he should know better, because he should understand the topic of sexism.
I wish everyone was as knowledgeable and perceptive as you.
Nope, I am just normal, the product of a fine education system. I thank my teachers for their instruction. Sexual harassment is sexual harassment. I’d let the investigation proceed, but sixteen people can’t all have it in for Morgan.
Shut up and make me a sandwich.