Amazon fires Transparent star Jeffrey Tambor after sexual harassment investigation

Amazon Studios has formally fired Jeffrey Tambor from Transparent after completing an investigation into sexual harassment claims against the actor. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the actor will not participate whatsoever in the show’s upcoming fifth season.

The company began looking into allegations from Tambor’s former assistant Van Barnes last November, less than a month after Amazon Studios head Roy Price resigned in the wake of his own sexual harassment scandal. According to the claims, Tambor had allegedly propositioned and groped Barnes, a transgender woman. At the time, the actor told Deadline that the accusations were “baseless,” though shortly thereafter, transgender actress Trace Lysette accused Tambor of similar behavior. Days later, Tambor acknowledged that it would be difficult for him to return to the show. With today’s announcement, Amazon formally severs its relationship with the actor entirely.

“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,” series creator Jill Soloway wrote 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.”

Thursday evening Tambor responded to the development with a statement in which he continued to defend himself, while speaking out against both Amazon and Soloway herself. “I am profoundly disappointed in Amazon’s handling of these false accusations against me,” the actor wrote. “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 [sic] 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.”

Transparent has been a critical darling since its premiere in 2014. In 2015, it won the Golden Globe award for Best Television Series – Comedy or Musical, with Tambor winning both Emmy and Golden Globe awards for his performance in the series. In many ways, Transparent was the show that gave Amazon critical credibility as a producer of original television, much like House of Cards had done for Netflix. House of Cards, of course, parted ways with its star, Kevin Spacey, after multiple sexual assault allegations emerged against the actor last year.

Update, February 15th, 8:54PM ET: Story updated with Jeffrey Tambor’s response.

https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/15/17017814/amazon-transparent-jeffrey-tambor-sexual-harassment-investigation