Following two allegations of sexual harassment on the set of the hit show Transparent, star Jeffrey Tambor announced he will leave the series immediately. Writers had already started scripting the next season without his character in it.
Tambor released fiery statements after both allegations, denying the charges, but his resignation lays the blame squarely at the feet of political correctness and the show’s staff.
Playing Maura Pfefferman on ‘Transparent’ has been one of the greatest privileges and creative experiences of my life. What has become clear over the past weeks, however, is that this is no longer the job I signed up for four years ago.
“I’ve already made clear my deep regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being aggressive, but the idea that I would deliberately harass anyone is simply and utterly untrue. Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don’t see how I can return to ‘Transparent.’”
After his former personal assistant, Van Barnes, made the first allegation in a private Facebook post, Tambor quickly fired back. He deemed Barnes a “disgruntled assistant” making a “baseless allegation.”
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.”
After transgender actress Trace Lysette also accused Tambor of sexual harassment, the star acknowledged he is “volatile and ill-tempered” and chalked up any aggression to misunderstanding.
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For the past four years, I’ve had the huge privilege — and huge responsibility – of playing Maura Pfefferman, a transgender woman, in a show that I know has had an enormous, positive impact on a community that has been too long dismissed and misunderstood. Now I find myself accused of behavior that any civilized person would condemn unreservedly.
“I know I haven’t always been the easiest person to work with. I can be volatile and ill-tempered, and too often I express my opinions harshly and without tact. But I have never been a predator – ever. I am deeply sorry if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being sexually aggressive or if I ever offended or hurt anyone. But the fact is, for all my flaws, I am not a predator and the idea that someone might see me in that way is more distressing than I can express.”
