'Pirates Of The Caribbean' Star Geoffrey Rush Accused Of 'Inappropriate Behavior'
Veteran actor Geoffrey Rush has now become entangled in the ongoing scandal currently making headlines. Rush has been accused of conducting 'inappropriate behavior' during the production of the play, King Lear.
The Pirates of the Caribbean actor has been accused by an unnamed staff member who made a complaint about two years ago to the production company, Sydney Theater Company. The production of the show ran from November 2015 to January 2016. Rush has denied the claim stating that he has been made aware of the allegation, but no further information has been provided to him.
"The moment I became aware of rumours of a complaint I immediately phoned and spoke to senior management at the Sydney Theatre Company asking for clarification about the details of the statement. They refused to illuminate me with the details. I also asked why this information was being withheld, and why, according to standard theatre practice the issue had not been raised with me during the production via stage management, the director, my fellow actors or anyone at management level. However, no response was forthcoming," Rush said in a statement.
Rush further elaborated that releasing this information to the public without presenting him the full details is a 'denial' of natural justice and 'not how our society operates'.
Hollywood's Epidemic
Rush joins the list of other men in the industry that have been accused of sexual misconduct or assault since September of this year. The allegations began after an expose article was released about Hollywood mogul, Harvey Weinstein. Weinstein has been accused by over 80 women, including well-known actresses: Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, and Ashley Judd.
Following Weinstein, actors Ed Westwick, Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K. and director James Toback have all been accused of sexual harassment, abuse, or rape by men and women in the industry. Westwick and Toback have denied all allegations against them, while Spacey is currently seeking professional treatment and C.K. has issued an apology to his alleged victims.
Rush is a 'Triple Crown' actor that has won an Academy Award, a Tony, and an Emmy. The 66-year-old actor won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film, Shine. Rush also starred in the film, Shakespeare in Love, which ironically was produced by Weinstein's company, Miramax.
Since 2003, Rush has played the character, Captain Hector Barbossa, in the Disney franchise, Pirates of the Caribbean.
