Fred Savage has issued a statement in response to multiple claims of verbal abuse on the set of “The Wonder Years” reboot, which led to the director being let go from the project earlier this year.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, six women banded together and took their concerns to a Disney HR executive, claiming Savage engaged in inappropriate behavior, ranging from verbally harassing his colleagues to at least one incident of assault.
The women, who requested anonymity to protect their careers, allege that the 46-year-old father of three had two sides to him and would often lash out in anger when he was in a bad mood. “His eyes would go dead,” one of the accusers said, per THR.
Savage just released a statement addressing the allegations. Per THR, the “Wonder Years” alum said, “Since I was 6 years old, I have worked on hundreds of sets with thousands of people, and have always strived to contribute to an inclusive, safe and supportive work environment. It is devastating to learn that there are co-workers who feel I have fallen short of these goals.”
He continued, “While there are some incidents being reported that absolutely did not and could not have happened, any one person who feels hurt or offended by my actions is one person too many. I will work to address and change any behavior that has negatively affected anyone, as nothing in this world is more important to me than being a supportive co-worker, friend, husband, father and person.”
The actor allegedly moved in with a younger woman in Atlanta while he was living there temporarily during filming. She did not agree to speak with THR, but an unnamed source described his interactions with the young woman as “manipulative and erratic.”
The anonymous group of accusers said they came forward mostly out of concern for this unnamed woman, who they allege was the target of Savage’s worst abuse.
The Daily Wire reported in May that the director had been let go from the reboot of “The Wonder Years.”
“Recently, we were made aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct by Fred Savage, and as is policy, an investigation was launched,” a spokesman for 20th Television said in a statement, according to Deadline. “Upon its completion, the decision was made to terminate his employment as an executive producer and director of ‘The Wonder Years.’”
Many of Savage’s former co-workers came to his defense, calling the claims baseless. There were several other misconduct allegations against him over the years, but so far no convictions.
Source: Dailywire
