Theatre issues apology for Richard Dreyfuss’ controversial comments: ‘Racist and homophobic rant’ by Jaws star | Entertainment & Arts Updates
A theatre in the US has issued an apology following offensive remarks made by actor Richard Dreyfuss during a question-and-answer session before a screening of Jaws, the movie that propelled him to stardom.
Dreyfuss was present at the Cabot Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts on Saturday.
The theatre’s executive director, Casey Soward, stated that Dreyfuss’s comments, which reportedly included remarks about Barbra Streisand, the transgender community, and women in film, were not in line with the inclusive and respectful values they stand for as an organization.
Soward expressed regret for any distress caused to patrons and acknowledged that what was meant to be a celebration of an iconic movie turned into a platform for political views.
Richard Dreyfuss in Jaws. Pic: Universal/Kobal/Shutterstock
The theatre shares the concerns expressed by attendees regarding the event.
Lisa Howe, commenting on the theatre’s Facebook page, stated, “We walked out of his interview tonight along with hundreds of others because of his racist homophobic misogynistic rant.”
Another attendee, as quoted by Sky’s US partner NBC News, described the evening as “an evening of misogyny and homophobia with Richard Dreyfuss”.
However, others argued that “there was nothing wrong with what he said,” with one audience member even stating a newfound respect for the actor.
Footage on YouTube showed Dreyfuss appearing on stage in a dress that was later removed to reveal him in trousers, a dress shirt, a jacket, and using a cane.
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Reuters file pic
Richard Dreyfuss. AP file pic
Last year, Dreyfuss, who won an Oscar for his role in The Goodbye Girl, criticized the Academy’s diversity and inclusion standards announcement.
The 76-year-old actor stated, “No one should dictate to me as an artist what morality should be.”
Dreyfuss rose to fame in the film American Graffiti in 1973, and his role in Jaws in 1975 solidified his status as a Hollywood A-lister.
Requests for comment have been made to Dreyfuss’s non-profit organization, The Dreyfuss Initiative, by Sky News.
Using his platform, Dreyfuss has advocated for education and politics reform in the US, supporting privacy, freedom of speech, democracy, and individual accountability, as stated on his initiative’s website.
