Michael Douglas has spoken out to deny a former employee’s claim that he sexually harassed her 32 years ago. The unnamed woman allegedly claims the US
Michael Douglas has spoken out to deny a former employee’s claim that he sexually harassed her 32 years ago. The unnamed woman allegedly claims the US actor, now 73, once masturbated in front of her and then blacklisted her from Hollywood.
“I don’t know where to begin,” he said. “This is a complete lie, fabrication, no truth to it whatsoever.” He added: “It has been a complete nightmare.”
Michael Douglas, who won the best actor Oscar for his role in 1987’s Wall Street, said he had the full support of his wife, the actress, Catherine Zeta-Jones. He said he decided to go public with the accusations against him because he felt the need to get ahead of the story and declare his innocence. He said that his children were terrified that he would be labelled a predator after the accusations.
Michael Douglas said the woman, who once worked for his production company in New York, complained about the colourful language he used in front of her and claimed he spoke raunchily, or dirtily in private conversations with friends. She also claims he stopped her from getting another job in showbusiness. Douglas said he was “floored” by the woman’s claim that he masturbated in front of her.
“She supposedly had three friends who would back her up, that she had mentioned this to,” he said.
While he admitted that he might have used bad language at the time, he also denied blacklisting the woman.
“I pride myself of being so supportive of the women’s movement. My mother was an actress, and I myself married an actress and have been supportive of this movement wholeheartedly, through all my years. I was forced to look over my past. I’ve had up to 20 female executives who worked at my company in different areas over the years. Over 20 producers I partnered with on pictures have been women. Not to mention all the actresses I’ve worked with and the hundreds of performers.
“I pride myself on my reputation in this business, not to mention the long history of my father and everything else. I don’t have skeletons in my closet, or anyone else who’s coming out or saying this. I’m bewildered why, after 32 years, this is coming out, now. The part that hurt the worst is having to share something like this to your wife and your children. My kids are really upset, have to go to school worrying this is going to be in some article about me, being a sexual harasser. They’re scared and very uncomfortable. My wife has a long career, and as a woman, she has been very supportive.
“I’d confess to anything I thought I was responsible for. And it was most certainly not masturbating in front of this woman. This reeks. I would have respected if she had reached out to me any time over these years, to share her pain or concerns and I would have been the first one to respond.”
