'Last Week Tonight' Host John Oliver Confronts Actor Dustin Hoffman Over Sexual Harassment Claims
Dustin Hoffman is one of the actors who has been named a 'sexual predator' during the on-going epidemic currently taking over headlines. Hoffman was accused by actress, Anna Graham Hunter, of sexually harassing her when Hunter was 17 years old. The alleged incident took place during the filming of the movie, Death of a Salesman, in 1985.
During a panel that celebrated the 20th anniversary for the screening of the film, Wag the Dog, the host of the panel, John Oliver, engaged in a heated conversation with Hoffman in regards to the allegation.
Hoffman was joined on stage with costar of the film, Robert De Niro, and director Barry Levinson. In a clip that was posted online, Oliver brought up the subject by commenting it was 'hanging in the air' with Hoffman rebuffing that the host 'made him guilty' from the few articles he read.
Oliver also called out Hoffman's apology to Hunter.
"'It's 'not reflective of who I am.' It's that kind of response to this stuff that pisses me off. It is reflective of who you were. If it happened and you've given no evidence to show that it didn't [happen] then there was a period of time for a while when you were a creeper around women.," Oliver stated.
Hoffman replied that it was 'difficult' for him to respond to that question because Oliver 'wasn't there'. Hoffman also said that he considers anyone he works with, his 'family' and sexual things are sometimes said but are 'meant to be funny'.
Hoffman's Alleged Victim
The actress wrote a detailed piece to the Hollywood Reporter recounting the event. The actress stated that at the time, she was attracted to Hoffman and was conflicted on coming forward with her story.
"He asked me to give him a foot massage my first day on set; I did. He was openly flirtatious, he grabbed my ass, he talked about sex to me and in front of me. One morning I went to his dressing room to take his breakfast order; he looked at me and grinned, taking his time. Then he said, 'I'll have a hard-boiled egg...and a soft-boiled clitoris.' His entourage burst out laughing. I left, speechless. Then I went to the bathroom and cried," the article stated.
In his apology that he issued to the actress, Hoffman stated that he has the 'utmost respect' for women and that he was 'deeply sorry' for anything he did that could have made her feel "uncomfortable".
