Geoffrey Rush Accused of Sexual Misconduct, Exposing Himself

Skanky Vamp

Skanky Vamp

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Yael Stone, an Australian actress best known for her starring role on Netflix’s comedy-drama series “Orange Is the New Black,” has accused Geoffrey Rush of sexual harassment. In an interview with The New York Times, Stone alleges Rush acted inappropriately with her while they worked together on a 2010 production of “The Diary of a Madman” in Sydney, Australia. Stone has played convict Lorna Morello since the first season of “Orange Is the New Black.”

Stone told The Times that Rush’s inappropriate behavior included sending her sexually explicit text messages, exposing his penis to her in the dressing room, joining her uninvited as she took a nap backstage, using a mirror to watch her shower, and touching her in a “very sexual manner” at an awards show. Yael said, “There was no part of my brain considering speaking to anyone in any official capacity. This was a huge star. What were they going to do? Fire Geoffrey and keep me?”

“I’ve been in that particular dressing room in Sydney on many occasions with many wonderfully talented actors and many wonderfully talented clowns,” the actress continued. “And people have made me belly laugh till I couldn’t breathe. Never once has someone needed to show me their penis to do that.”

Rush reacted to Stone’s accusations by telling The Times they are “incorrect and in some instances have been taken completely out of context.”

“However, clearly Yael has been upset on occasion by the spirited enthusiasm I generally bring to my work,” Rush said in a statement. “I sincerely and deeply regret if I have caused her any distress. This, most certainly, has never been my intention. When we performed in ‘The Diary Of A Madman’ 8 years ago, I believe we engaged in a journey as artistic comrades. Over the years we have shared correspondence that always contained a mutual respect and admiration. As I have said in the past, I abhor any behavior that might be considered as harassment or intimidation to anyone – whether in the workplace or any other environment.”

Stone’s allegation is the latest made against Rush. The actor sued an Australian tabloid earlier this year for defamation over running sexual misconduct claims made by an actress who appeared in a production of “King Lear” with him.
 
So why now? Why accuse someone via an interview with the New York Times instead of going privately to the police or jumping on the #metoo bandwagon when it was in full swing?

This seems like an attempt to publicly dirty someone's reputation (when their field of work relies on reputation) without evidence, rather than allowing the matter to be investigated first.
 
DeadlyDuo said:
So why now? Why accuse someone via an interview with the New York Times instead of going privately to the police or jumping on the #metoo bandwagon when it was in full swing?

This seems like an attempt to publicly dirty someone's reputation (when their field of work relies on reputation) without evidence, rather than allowing the matter to be investigated first.
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From what I understand some of it has to do with Oz laws regarding that. I didn't read too much but seems like (and someone correct me if I am wrong) the burden of proof is on the accuser. Rather than facing all of that mess, which she still may have to, it was easier to just report it via media.
 
I don't really want to comment too much until we get all the facts, but his statement does sound pretty weak and on the fence. It's quite similar to Spacey's.
 
I've been hearing about Rush's misconducts for years now. I remember discussing this with a friend a year ago and how we were deploring the fact that the defamation law in Australia prevented people from going forward about him.

DeadlyDuo said:
So why now? Why accuse someone via an interview with the New York Times instead of going privately to the police or jumping on the #metoo bandwagon when it was in full swing?

This seems like an attempt to publicly dirty someone's reputation (when their field of work relies on reputation) without evidence, rather than allowing the matter to be investigated first.
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Maybe you should read the article before immediately questioning her motives.
 
DeadlyDuo
DeadlyDuo
I did read the article, and the question still remains, why now?
Spanky said:
“However, clearly Yael has been upset on occasion by the spirited enthusiasm I generally bring to my work,” Rush said in a statement.
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He's not lying. Not many people know that 'spirited enthusiasm' is Geoffrey's pet name for his todger.

But in all seriousness acting/Hollywood in general seems to be a magnet for people who have an odd approach to other people's personal space. After Spacey nothing surprises me.
...However I do want to give people the benefit of the doubt until more information comes to light. No more creepy witch hunts please.
 
thetopher said:
...However I do want to give people the benefit of the doubt until more information comes to light. No more creepy witch hunts please.
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Exactly. If your going to accuse someone, go to the police and let the matter be investigated privately before it is reported on by the media, don't splash a name across a front page where it's just one word against another.
 
@DeadlyDuo I think the article makes it pretty clear but
1. The defamation law in Australia scared people and prevented them from coming out with their story.
2. She decided to go public with it after a law firm offered to defend her pro bono. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to come forward.
3. She wrote a letter to Rush and he ignored her.

I will add : it can take years to be able to face something/someone that made you feel so powerless. Having experienced psychological harassment myself at work for the last 10 months, I can already tell you that I have absolutely no plan in the foreseeable future of reporting it. I am too scared, exhausted and just want to move on and never go back. I think it shows incredible strenght knowing full well the possible consequences she might face.

I will never understand why people keep putting a powerful man’s reputation above treating other people with dignity. And perhaps the better answer to « why now » is that were finally living in a world where some victims (mostly rich and influencial) are starting to feel like they are allowed to share their stories, even there will always be some people who want to discredit them. The « why now » is because of the law in Australia that could financially ruin her and because before Weistein this could have ruined her career.
 
Mylie said:
I will never understand why people keep putting a powerful man’s reputation above treating other people with dignity.
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It has nothing to do with the person's sex. It's not "putting a powerful man’s reputation above treating other people with dignity" it's reminding people that all it is is an accusation and nothing more. Many times people equate an accusation to proof.
 
Mylie said:
I think the article makes it pretty clear but
1. The defamation law in Australia scared people and prevented them from coming out with their story.
2. She decided to go public with it after a law firm offered to defend her pro bono. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have been able to come forward.
3. She wrote a letter to Rush and he ignored her.
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We must've read two different articles because in the one @Spanky posted, it says none of that.

I will add : it can take years to be able to face something/someone that made you feel so powerless. Having experienced psychological harassment myself at work for the last 10 months, I can already tell you that I have absolutely no plan in the foreseeable future of reporting it. I am too scared, exhausted and just want to move on and never go back. I think it shows incredible strenght knowing full well the possible consequences she might face.
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Are you going to wait 8 years then say about it in a newspaper interview or (if you do decide to report it) go through the proper channels?

You should report what you've been through if you can, at least make your employers aware of what's been going on and prevent someone else having to deal with the same thing. You could tell one of your co-workers, it might've happened to someone else before.


I will never understand why people keep putting a powerful man’s reputation above treating other people with dignity. And perhaps the better answer to « why now » is that were finally living in a world where some victims (mostly rich and influencial) are starting to feel like they are allowed to share their stories, even there will always be some people who want to discredit them. The « why now » is because of the law in Australia that could financially ruin her and because before Weistein this could have ruined her career.
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Has the law changed or something? Surely it's more likely to ruin her career accusing via a newspaper than it is reporting it privately to the police so they can investigate?
 
So is he someone famous then? Shall I stay living under my rock?
 
nightshade said:
So is he someone famous then? Shall I stay living under my rock?
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You might know him from:
Barbossa-geoffrey-rush-17304303-600-400.jpg
 
nightshade
nightshade
he's a monkey! poor monkey! and no I still don't know the guy or what that shot is from, I'll go back to my rock
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