Dustin Hoffman apologises, adds to growing list of Hollywood harassment.
Incidents on the set of telemovie in 1985 are the latest to embroil Hollywood.
- Published by David Knox
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Legendary Dustin Hoffman has apologised after a former production assistant intern recounted inappropriate behaviour toward her in 1985.
Anna Graham Hunter told the Hollywood Reporter she was just 17 when she was working on the TV adaptation of Death of a Salesman, with a 49 year old Hoffman.
Publishing excerpts from letters she sent to her sister, she alleged, “Today, when I was walking Dustin to his limo, he felt my . . . [rear] four times. I hit him each time, hard, and told him he was a dirty old man. He took off his hat and pointed to his head (shaved for the part) and said, ‘No, I’m a dirty young man, I have a full head of hair.’”
In a 1985 letter she told Hoffman she “didn’t appreciate his wandering hands or his comments. He apologized and said he would stop. After that he was so nice to me I was shocked. . . . I guess he felt really bad.”
This week Hoffman issued a statement saying, “I have the utmost respect for women and feel terrible that anything I might have done could have put her in an uncomfortable situation.
“I am sorry. It is not reflective of who I am.”
Source: Newsday
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- Tagged with Death of a Salesman, Prison Break, Rush Hour
8 Responses
After the Jimmy Saville expose in the UK there was a flood of 1970s/80s/90s stars facing accusations and for some prison. I think we are seeing a similar scenario playing out in the US. Some of it will be very serious and true and I guess some will be spurious and driven by $$$. I wonder if any of it will result in criminal/civil court cases. It has to be said, it always seems to be mainly blokes being accused…..who’s next?
The music industry.
In the UK it’s the political “industry” already in the headlights.
What was an overdue and very worthwhile expose of sexual harassment in the workplace has now become a demented witch-hunt in the grand American tradition of Salem and McCarthy. The rather lame allegations about Spacey are being mindlessly conflated with those against Weinstein in a way that demeans the more genuine victims. One of Spacey’s accusers (clearly hopeful of a payout) claims to suffered six months of PTSD after having his crotch grabbed in a public bar when he was 35. Seriously?
David, I’m just curious why some comments have been turned ‘Off’ but others left on for the various alleged sexual misconduct stories?
It’s a fair question and one I am happy to answer. It’s certainly been a challenge knowing when to post, how much detail, and how to moderate comments around recent stories. In each case I’ve attempted to be ruled by the responses from those accused. Once they have addressed it, and depending on whether they deny, is imperative. So far none of these cases have resulted in charges, so they are allegations (including some in social media and not journalism). Where identities have denied I am keeping comments closed. Where they apologise or confirm I will open. All comments must still meet an overall site policy. Hope that helps.
While I don’t condone Hoffman’s initial behaviour at all, it seems to be a bit harsh to drag him under the bus now, as she even states that after she brought the issue to his attention back in 1985 he apologised and completely changed his behaviour towards her going forward.
You have to factor in the entertainment business at that time which by recent accounts was a devils playground for high profile celebrities and producer / career makers looking to gain sexual favours, obviously young people looking to make a career could say little for fear of being kicked out, Hoffman most likely could have had her removed by the producers but did not.