Amazon Investigating ‘Transparent’ Star Jeffrey Tambor for Sexual Harassment
Weeks after Amazon parted ways with studio boss Roy Price over sexual harassment claims, Transparent star Jeffrey Tambor has become the subject of another investigation. Tambor’s former assistant has reported him for inappropriate behavior, though the actor apparently rejects the claims.
Deadline reports that the actor’s prior assistant, Van Barnes (who herself is transgender), notified Amazon management of Tambor’s sexual harassment, of which the streaming outlet confirms an investigation is ongoing. The process includes “speaking to members of the Transparent production and Tambor personally,” though the already-ordered fifth season is not currently in production.
The allegations themselves have only been published in a private Facebook post, though Tambor issued a statement to Deadline denying the charges:
I am aware that a former disgruntled assistant of mine has made a private post implying that I had acted in an improper manner toward her. I adamantly and vehemently reject and deny any and all implication and allegation that I have ever engaged in any improper behavior toward this person or any other person I have ever worked with. I am appalled and distressed by this baseless allegation.
The investigation will likely unnerve Transparent fans in particular, as Tambor has repeatedly advocated for transgender voices; stating of his 2016 Emmy win “I would not be unhappy were I the last cisgender male playing a female transgender on television.” Whatever the outcome, it is not yet clear if Netflix might rethink Tambor’s role in Arrested Development Season 5, given their choice to part ways with House of Cards Kevin Spacey over sexual assault allegations.
Stay tuned for the latest on Tambor and Transparent’s future in the meantime.
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