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*The fallout has begun for Morgan Freeman following a CNN report in which eight women accused him of sexual harassment or making inappropriate remarks.
As the 81-year-old actor issued an apology for making women feel “uneasy,” actors union SAG-AFTRA said it will revisit the Life Achievement Award given to Freeman earlier this year. Also, his longtime gig with Visa has been “suspended.”
As previously reported, 16 people spoke to CNN about Freeman. Eight claimed to be the subjects of either sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior, and eight said they witnessed Freeman’s alleged misconduct. The months-long investigation was sparked by comments made by Freeman to one of the CNN journalists who co-wrote the report over a year ago. During a press junket for “Going in Style,” CNN entertainment reporter Chloe Melas said Freeman shook her hand, not letting go while he looked her up and down and said, “You are ripe.”
“Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy,” Freeman said in his mea culpa obtained by Variety. “I apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected — that was never my intent.”
Freeman was the 54th recipient of the SAG Life Achievement Award, presented Jan. 21 during the SAG Awards by Rita Moreno. The award is given annually to an actor who fosters the “finest ideals of the acting profession.”
A spokesperson for SAG-AFTRA said the union may take “corrective actions” as a result of the accusations, but did not elaborate on the specific actions that could result.
“These are compelling and devastating allegations which are absolutely contrary to all the steps that we are taking to insure a safe work environment for the professionals in this industry,” a SAG-AFTRA spokesperson said. “Any accused person has the right to due process, but it is our starting point to believe the courageous voices who come forward to report incidents of harassment. Given Mr. Freeman recently received one of our union’s most prestigious honors recognizing his body of work, we are therefore reviewing what corrective actions may be warranted at this time.”
Freeman’s long relationship with VISA has also screeched to a halt amid the allegations. A spokeswoman for the company said: “We are aware of the allegations that have been made against Mr. Freeman. At this point, Visa will be suspending our marketing in which the actor is featured.”
This comes after Vancouver-based transit system TransLink backed away as well. It had been featuring a Morgan Freeman voiceover for a VISA ad campaign to promote TransLink’s VISA credit card and mobile payments on its buses and at its automated rapid transit system SkyTrain.
The transit system said in a statement Thursday: “In light of information we’ve learned through news stories this morning of serious allegations against actor Morgan Freeman, TransLink has decided to pause his voice announcements as part of a VISA ad campaign on the transit system,” the transit authority said this morning, in a statement.
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