Morgan Freeman apologizes after eight women accuse him of sexual harassment
Hollywood star Morgan Freeman on Thursday apologized after serious allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct surfaced. Meaww received an email from the actor's spokesperson: “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."
In an explosive report by CNN, eight women had alleged that the 80-year-old actor, best known for movies such as The Shawshank Redemption and Bruce Almighty, had either sexually harassed or misbehaved with them.
A young victim, who reportedly worked with the star on his 2015 comedy Going In Style, claimed that at one point Freeman "kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear."
She further recalled how his attempts were thwarted by Alan Arkin who "made a comment telling him to stop. Morgan freaked out and didn't know what to say."
"He did comment on our bodies... We knew that, if he was coming by, not to wear any top that would show our breasts and not to wear anything that would show our bottoms. Meaning not wearing clothes that [were] fitted," said another female member of the production who also opened up about the harassment.
Altogether, 16 people are believed to have spoken to the publication, at least eight claim to have personally experienced sexual misconduct while the other eight claimed that they have witnessed it.
Freeman's behavior, according to the report, was not a secret within the industry with multiple accusers recounting situations where the actor allegedly made inappropriate comments about their attires. But, in light of the recent anti-harassment movement, the CNN expose about Freeman has made instant headlines.
The accuser has been described, as per the report, as a senior staffer who allegedly worked with Freeman in 2012 on the film Now You See Me.