Jeffrey Tambor Fired from 'Transparent' Over Harassment Claims
by EG
For quite some time, it looked as if Jeffrey Tambor would be let go from his role on Transparent after allegations surfaced of inappropriate on-set conduct on his part. Amazon Studios made it official this week, finally, confirming that Tambor will no longer be part of the series. The question now is whether Transparent will be able to survive his departure.
It's official: Jeffrey Tambor will not be returning to Amazon Studios' Transparent in the wake of sexual harassment claims and a subsequent internal investigation by the retail and streaming giant.
Amazon confirmed the news Thursday, noting that it had completed its internal investigation into the Emmy-winning actor. Tambor will have no role in the forthcoming season of the Jill Soloway critical darling.
“I have great respect and admiration for Van Barnes and Trace Lysette, whose courage in speaking out about their experience on Transparent is an example of the leadership this moment in our culture requires," Soloway said Thursday in a statement. "We are grateful to the many trans people who have supported our vision for Transparent since its inception and remain heartbroken about the pain and mistrust their experience has generated in our community. We are taking definitive action to ensure our workplace respects the safety and dignity of every individual, and are taking steps to heal as a family.”
“I am profoundly disappointed in Amazon’s handling of these false accusations against me," Tambor said Thursday evening in a statement. "I am even more disappointed in Jill Soloway’s unfair characterization of me as someone who would ever cause harm to any of my fellow cast mates. In our four-year history of working together on this incredible show, these accusations have NEVER been revealed or discussed directly with me or anyone at Amazon. Therefore, I can only surmise that the investigation against me was deeply flawed and biased toward the toxic politicized atmosphere that afflicted our set. As I have consistently stated, I deeply regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone and I will continue to vehemently defend myself. I also deeply regret that this ground-breaking show, which changed so many lives, is now in jeopardy. That, to me, is the biggest heartbreak.”
The news comes after a November statement from Tambor, who faced multiple allegations of sexual harassment, in which he said that he couldn't "see how I can return to Transparent."
At the time, sources told The Hollywood Reporter that while Tambor hinted that he was leaving Transparent, he never outright said he was exiting the show. Amazon Studios, which owns and produces the Soloway series, had been investigating the actor and has now made its official decision that he will not have any role in the show's upcoming fifth season.
Get the rest of the story at The Hollywood Reporter.
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