Morgan Freeman issues apology over sexual harassment allegations

The actor claims he would 'never knowingly make anyone feel uneasy'

Morgan Freeman has issued an apology in the wake of the allegations of sexual harassment and inappropriate behaviour made against him

CNN spoke to 16 people who accused the Oscar-winning actor of behaving in manners that made them feel uncomfortable on film sets, at junkets and in the office of his production company Revelations Entertainment. The report sees one woman claim that Freeman attempted to lift her skirt multiple times.

Freeman released a statement responding to the allegations. It said: “Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy. I apologise to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected – that was never my intent.”

The actor, 80, is said to have made comments about women’s clothing or their bodies in front of multiple witnesses and even on camera.

CNN said seven people had described Freeman’s pattern of inappropriate behaviour at Revelations Entertainment, the production company he founded in 1996 with a stated mission to “reveal truth”.

Freeman set up the company with Lori McCreary, the current president of the Producers Guild Association, who has championed the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements.

The report said it had spoken to three entertainment reporters who claimed Freeman made inappropriate remarks during interviews.

They included CNN reporter Chloe Melas, who was pregnant at the time and co-wrote the investigation into Freeman.

She alleged he shook her hand and repeatedly looked her up and down and said “I wish I was there” and “You are ripe” less than a year ago.

Freeman is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars. He became a household name with roles in films such as Driving Miss Daisy and The Shawshank Redemption.

He won an Academy Award for best supporting actor in 2005 for his role in Million Dollar Baby and has received Oscar nominations for four other films.