'The Goldbergs': Did Jeff Garlin REALLY inappropriately touch people on ABC show set?
Jeff Garlin will not return to ABC's 'The Goldbergs' following an HR investigation that began after there were multiple complaints about his behavior on the set of the series. Garlin starred as patriarch Murray Goldberg on the ABC comedy from producers Sony Pictures Television for the past eight seasons.
This news comes after Garlin's interview with Vanity Fair last month, where he said that he has been the subject of HR investigations into his behavior on the set. “There has been an HR investigation on me the past three years. HR has come to me three years in a row for my behavior on set,” Garlin told Vanity Fair’s Maureen Ryan. He also claimed that 'rumors' about him being fired from 'The Goldbergs' were not true. Horrid tales about incidents happening on show and movie sets are sadly not a new trend. Recently, James Bond star Naomie Harris recalled her terrible ordeal at an audition. Model Emily Ratajkowski claimed that Robin Thicke touched her bare breasts during the filming of 'Blurred Lines'.
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Some people on the set allegedly claimed that they were uncomfortable with Garlin's verbal and physical conduct. Garlin was accused of using inappropriate language, and also allegedly touching and hugging people who were not comfortable with such contact. ABC is now allegedly using the body double of Garlin to film his final scenes.
UPDATE: According to sources, #TheGoldbergs used Garlin's double for what was supposed to be his last day. The actor's face will be superimposed using special effects in post. (A practice used a number of times for Garlin in the past for various reasons)
— Deadline Hollywood (@DEADLINE) December 16, 2021
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Jeff Garlin denies allegations
In the interview with Vanity Fair, Garlin said, "As a comedian, if somebody is offended by what I say I, all I can say is, I’m sorry. Okay? I have never physically come at anyone, for any reason, so that I find terribly confusing and untrue. Look, I’ve discussed this with the main crew. The camera department, the sound department, the lighting department, and all of these people who worked on my own movie—I did a movie for Netflix called Handsome—never have any problems. There was nothing. So whoever it is that feels this way has it out for me. That’s my true belief. I would never physically put myself to someone. And I would never hatefully say something to anyone."
Talking about people claiming that he inappropriately hugged them, Garlin said, "I am a person who hugs for sure. And it’s quick hugs, but I didn’t realize that anyone was feeling—so if you want to write that story, that’s a true story. It puts the onus on them to say something, and I would gladly respect anyone who said, “Please don’t hug me. I don’t feel comfortable.”
"It’s about me and my silliness on set. They don’t think it’s appropriate. I do. That’s where we’re at. I’ve not been fired because of it. We just think differently. Now when I’m at Curb Your Enthusiasm, for example, if I’m not doing the things that we’re talking about, Larry David—or a cameraman, the producer, who’s a woman—lots of people come up to me and ask me if I’m okay. I need to do what I need to do to keep my energy up and do what I do. So I don’t know what to say. To me, if you’re a stand-in on a show and you don’t like the content or the behavior... If someone’s going after you, that’s different. But in terms of in general—well, then by God, quit, go someplace else," Garlin said.
