Amazon Studios is conducting an investigation into Jeffrey Tambor. The investigation against the Transparent star comes weeks after the studio's boss Roy Price resigned over claims of sexual harassment. Despite being investigated, Price stayed in his job for two years until news of Harvey Weinstein’s alleged behavior, consisting of sexual harassment and sexual assault, went public. Weinstein's accusers include Angelina Jolie, Lupita Nyong’o and Rose McGowan. The industry has responded to Weinstein’s behavior with outrage, and he is currently under criminal investigation by the Los Angeles Police Department. Weinstein was also expelled from the Academy and forced out of his own company.
Kevin Spacey, known for his role on Netflix’s House of Cards, also faced consequences after actor Anthony Rapp claimed that he was sexually assaulted by Spacey when has 14. Netflix severed ties with the Academy Award winner earlier this week. He has also been fired from Ridley Scott’s All the Money in the World and Carol Burnett’s 50th Anniversary Special on CBS.
Related: All the Money in the World Drops Kevin Spacey
As reported by Deadline, the probe in Tambor began after his former assistant Van Barnes implied that the Golden Globe winner had engaged in inappropriate behavior. Tambor has denied the claims, calling them “baseless.” Tambor said:
“I am aware that a former disgruntled assistant of mine has made a private post implying that I had acted in an improper manner toward her. I adamantly and vehemently reject and deny any and all implication and allegation that I have ever engaged in any improper behavior toward this person or any other person I have ever worked with. I am appalled and distressed by this baseless allegation.”
Amazon is dedicated to investigating the claims thoroughly. The studio is currently speaking to members of Transparent production and Tambor. Production of the show has been halted. The accuser, Van Barnes, has appeared on E’s I am Cait and Amazon’s documentary anthology This is Me in 2015.
Several executives at Amazon Studios have been dismissed over the last few weeks. Price was suspended and later resigned after details concerning his proposition of Isa Dick Hackett, an executive producer for The Man in the High Castle, during San Diego Comic-Con in 2015.
The news of sexual assault in Hollywood comes as a shock to many. Actresses like Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts and Emma Thompson have spoken out against the perpetrators of the alleged abuse. Organizations, like The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, are actively working to curb the abuse and sexual harassment in Hollywood. The Academy is working to institute a code of conduct, consisting of rules that outline consequences for inappropriate behavior. Hopefully, these scandals lead to real change in the industry. It is about time.
Next: Hollywood’s Sexual Assault Scandals Create an Oscars Dilemma
Source: Deadline