The HFPA investigated the accusation, but Fraser said the organization declined to share the full results of their investigation with him. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. In my mind, at least, something had been taken away from me., The HFPA responded late Thursday, saying in a statement that the group "stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article. The incident took place at a luncheon hosted by the association, and Fraser alleges that when Berk reached out to shake his hand, the man instead grabbed Frasers butt. In February, Fraser told GQ that in 2003, as he was leaving a luncheon held by the HFPA at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Berk stopped him and shook his hand. Absolutely, he said. Absolutely. Fraser also surmised his career may have suffered . Brendan Fraser claims ex-Hollywood Foreign Press president groped him. Related The story he wants to relay took place, he says, in the summer of 2003, in the Beverly Hills Hotel, at a luncheon held by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the organization that hosts the . Its a privilege to lead this organization as we continue on the path of fundamental change and reform, the Hamburg-born writer Hoehne said Wednesday of her election. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. ", Related: Peter Jackson seems to confirm Weinstein blacklisted Mira Sorvino, Ashley Judd, Fraser added that he was emboldened to come forward by the #MeToo and Time's Up movements, saying: "I know Rose [McGowan], I know Ashley [Judd], I know Mira [Sorvino] I've worked with them. And the pattern of men in power hurting the careers of those they have harassed or assaulted is in no way unique to the entertainment industry. The Los Angeles Times reports that the email was sent to everyone in the HFPA, including its "members, its staff and the group's general counsel and chief operating officer." This also isn't the first time that NBC has declined to broadcast the Golden Globes. Now the new president is hoping for a clean slate. Its investigation concluded that "the evidence supports that it was intended to be taken as a joke" and suggested issuing a joint statement with Fraser. In recounting this incident to GQ, Fraser stated that "his left hand reaches around, grabs my a** cheek, and one of his fingers touches me And he starts moving it around." Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! "), Letter aside, Fraser said, the experience "made me retreat. Berk, who is still a member of the HFPA, told the magazine that Frasers version of events is a total fabrication and has previously denied grabbing the actor to the New York Times. Market data provided by Factset. Brendan Fraser says the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which runs the Golden Globes, pressured him to downplay his allegation that its former president, Philip Berk, groped him in 2003. Despite his inappropriate behavior, Philip Berk stayed on as a part of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Fraser went home and told his then-wife, Afton Smith,what happened. Helen Hoehne will be the next President of the HFPA, it was revealed today. Absolutely. This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.". After Fraser spoke publicly about the incident in 2018, HFPA conducted an investigation into the incident. This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.. Brendan Fraser is the latest actor to come forward with his story of sexual assault in the wake of the #MeToo and Times Up movements. All rights reserved. (Berk denies that the HFPA retaliated against Fraser, telling GQ, His career declined through no fault of ours). Over the years weve continued a positive working relationship with Brendan, which includes announcing Golden Globe nominees, attending the ceremony and participating in press conferences. He claims in 2003, he was sexually assaulted by Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Philip Berk. I felt ill. Absolutely. Your California Privacy Rights. Need a break from the news? ", However, as the Los Angeles Times investigation notes, these payments may go beyond what is reasonable. In February 2021, the Los Angeles Times revealed that among the almost 90 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, there are no Black members, despite the group's own motto being "Unity without discrimination of religion or race." In addition to recognizing 2021's best in film and . Do I feel like I need to say something? While there may seem like an over-saturation of award shows in 2021, at the time, they wouldn't have had any other awards shows to compete with, other than the Academy Awards and a few critics groups. I became depressed. Since 2012, the number of Syrian refugees alone has increased tenfold. I thought I was going to cry., After immediately leaving the luncheon, Fraser told his wife of the interaction but otherwise remained silent for fear of embarrassment and career damage. Fraser, for his part, told the magazine he decided not to go public with his story because he was afraid of "it becoming part of my narrative." And despite having several former and active members who are people of color, according to Variety, the organization hasn't had a Black member since 2002. CBS reports that in 2018, Fraser even asked to see the investigation's full report so he'd "know what I'm signing off on," but the HFPA has repeatedly refused to share its report. Fraser also shared that he wonders if the HFPA retaliated against him after the incident by depriving him of Golden Globes invitations or other professional opportunities. The HFPA, meanwhile, declined to comment for GQ's story. But when they first organized, they still weren't taken too seriously, and mostly all they did was "meet at various members' homes to share information." Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Actor Brendan Fraser accused the former president of theHollywood Foreign Press Association of sexually assaulting him in 2003, the latest in a string of people to speak out in the #MeToo and Times Up movements. I didn't want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative," he says now. Please enter valid email address to continue. / CBS News. Fraser revealed the alleged abuse in 2018,. The 2003 Iraq War resulted in some 200,000 to 250,000 civilian deaths, including over 16,000 directly killed by the U.S. military, and left more than a million homeless.The United States has created 37 million refugees around the world. Absolutely. Although the judge ended up siding with HFPA in November 2020, the lawsuit brought to light a number of the organization's "ethical conflicts, with members accepting 'thousands of dollars in emoluments' from the very same studios, networks and celebrities they conferred trophies upon.". Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Dave Quinn is an Editor for PEOPLE, working across a number of verticals including the Entertainment, Lifestyle and News teams. I felt like a little kid. Fraser also wondered if the HFPA had blacklisted him. And as soon as the HFPA had done the bare minimum, they were back in NBC's good graces. (Reuters) Brendan Fraser claims he was groped in 2003 by Philip Berk, then. Fraser said the incident led to him becoming depressed and messed with his sense of who I was and what I was doing. He also said it affected the trajectory of his career. Berk tells the magazine the HFPA never retaliated against Fraser: His career declined through no fault of ours., Am I still frightened? An email sent Sunday by a former Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. Brendan Fraser (left) accused former Hollywood Foreign Press President Philip Berk of groping him in 2003. Brendan Fraser is speaking out for the first time about his experience with sexual harassment in Hollywood. In order to be considered, journalists are required to pay a $500 membership fee in addition to being based in Southern California while working for a foreign publication, publishing at least four articles a year. That board 12 active (internal) members and three TBA non-members (outside) directly picked the new president to take over for Ali Sar. But the question now is whether or not this is the sound of HFPA's death rattle. 01:57. . Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. "I didn't want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative," he said. In 2003 he began researching the business case for climate action for the . Compared to their previous plan, this timeline is significantly more specific, going through the steps that will be taken between May and August 2021. Although it's still up in the air whether or not this might be the final nail in the Golden Globes' coffin, some say that the Golden Globes simply aren't worth saving. I felt like a little kid. Actor Brendan Fraser accused the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association of sexually assaulting him in 2003, the latest in a string of people to speak out in the #MeToo. LOS ANGELES Brendan Fraser is joining the #MeToo movement, coming forward on Thursday with allegations of sexual assault by an ex-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. ", Fraser recalled that when he left the room, he saw a police officer but could not bring himself to report what happened. In. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.. Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. He did have his reps ask the HFPA for a written apology, telling GQ that the HFPA agreed they would never allow Berk in a room with Fraser again. Brendan Fraser is sharing his own Me Too experienceand says a 15-year-oldassault may have contributed to the derailment of his career. According to the Los Angeles Times, NBC also dropped the Golden Globe Awards in 1968, after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) found that the awards show "substantially misleads the public as to how the winners were chosen and the procedures followed in choosing them." Winners included Paul Lukas, Jennifer Jones, and the film "The Song of Bernadette." After the incident, Fraser's representatives asked the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for a written apology, and although Berk acknowledges that one was written, he insisted that his "apology admitted no wrongdoing." All rights reserved. In response, entertainers have also stated that they will "refrain from any HFPA sanctioned events." I felt like a little kid. Berkclaims he had written a letter to Fraser about the incident claiming that he had done no wrong. This Article is related to: Film and tagged Brendan Fraser, Sexual Harassment. Brendan Fraser, who stars in "The Whale," claims former HFPA President Philip Berk sexually assaulted him in 2003. April 19, 2021 3:30 PM PT. sexually assaulted him in 2003. . Fraser first revealed his #MeToo story in the February issue of GQ : In 2003, at a HFPA luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Fraser said Berk reached out to shake his hand but then proceeded to . I call them friends in my mind. All Rights Reserved. What to Know About Michelle Wolf the 2018 WHCA Dinner Host, Underwater Noise Pollution Is Disrupting Ocean LifeBut We Can Fix It. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. I dont know if this curried disfavor with the group, with the HFPA. Check out 100 years of eye looks: 2023 Cond Nast. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. Influencers: Profiles of a Partnership 2022, How to Pitch Stories and Articles to IndieWire, Leslie Grace Disagrees with Claim 'Batgirl' Was 'Unreleasable': There Was 'Potential for a Good Film', Brendan Fraser Says Lost Superman Role Would've Been 'Faustian Bargain' Anyway: 'I'm Not a One-Trick Pony', Oscars 2023: Best Makeup and Hairstyling Predictions, From 'Nymphomaniac' to 'Little Ashes': Unsimulated Sex Scenes in 36 Films. Up to 100 PR firms also indicated that they were disappointed with the HFPA's lack of commitment to "transformational change. And he starts moving it around. But at the time, his reps did askthe HFPA for a written apology from Berk, and received one, though Berk says his apology admitted no wrongdoing. Olivia Newton-John's daughter Chloe reveals 'promise' she made to mother before her death, Emma Stones 'And' co-star Willem Dafoe had her slap him 20 times to get scene right, Prince Harry's 'attacks' on 'villain' Camilla led to Frogmore Cottage eviction: expert, Film industry reacts to death of 'Saving Private Ryan' star Tom Sizemore: 'You're a legend', Matthew McConaughey and Camila Alves take bumpy second flight after 'CHAOS' on Lufthansa plane: 'Wish me luck'. Fraser's story is a reminder that while sexual misconduct is disproportionately experienced by women, it can happen to anyone, regardless of gender or sexuality. Then he went home and told his wife. (Reps for Fraser and the HFPA did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment). The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has announced the re-election of Helen Hoehne to another term as president.According to the HFPA's press release, Hoehne won by "an overwhelming margin." The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is a group of just 87 critics, and the LA Times report said the group has no Black voting members. Former HFPA president Phillip Berk. In the end, as one insider notes, "I don't think anyone will touch this with a 10-foot pole until they get their act together." And after being broadcast on the radio for 14 years, on February 26, 1958, the Golden Globe Awards were televised for the first time. His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. Feb. 21, 2021. Over the years weve continued a positive working relationship with Brendan, which includes announcing Golden Globe nominees, attending the ceremony and participating in press conferences. Berk wrote in his memoir that he did so in jest, but Fraser remembers the incident much differently. He previously. NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 14: Brendan Fraser attends AOL Build to discuss his role in 'The Affair' at AOL HQ on December 14, 2016 in New York City. His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint, Fraser said. Perhaps best known for starring as Rick O'Connell in The Mummy trilogy and the title character in 1997's George of the Jungle, actor Brendan Fraser was an omnipresent Hollywood fixture in the 1990s and the first half of the 2000s. According to The Guardian, Cruise isn't the only entertainer speaking out. Here is how Fraser describes the incident, which occurred at the Beverly Hills Hotel during an HFPA luncheon, to GQ: His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. After the 2003 luncheon, Frasers representatives asked the HFPA for an apology, and Berk confirmed to GQ that he did write one. IE 11 is not supported. As a member of the HFPA since 1989, he previously served as president in 2003-05. Madonna Is Pissed That People Focused on Her Face at the Grammys, "I have been degraded by the media since the beginning of my career. "It made me feel reclusive," the . Have I stopped myself? The crisis-plagued Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the body that organises the Golden Globes, has expelled Philip Berk, its former president who sparked widespread outrage by sharing . Fraser is not the only male star taking action over assault claims. History and future met for a close-up on Sept. 15 in the newly dedicated Hollywood Foreign Press Association wing of California State University, Northridge's Manzanita Hall. Withdraw consent by clicking on the link in any issue. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. HFPA also maintained that Berk, a 41-year member of HFPA and eight-term former president, faced no disciplinary action and was going to remain an active member of the HFPA. Is it ever okay to ask a woman especially one who's publicly undergone IVF if she's pregnant? ", It also doesn't help that HFPA member Margaret Gardiner "confused Daniel Kaluuya for another Black actor, Leslie Odom Jr., just minutes after Kaluuya's Oscar win.". June 7, 2018 / 2:27 PM 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Meet the New, Revamped Hollywood Foreign Press Association, 105 Members Strong Finally, the HFPA has entered the modern world, even if they did so kicking and screaming. The star of the "The Mummy" trilogy and "George of the Jungle" is speaking out again after he told GQ earlier this year that Philip Berk, the former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, groped him at a 2003 luncheon in Beverly Hills. Fraser said that the alleged assault left him feeling "ill," "like a little kid," and "like someone had thrown invisible paint on me." In his suit, Russell alleged that the HFPA "abuse their positions and engage in unethical and potentially unlawful deals and arrangements which amount to a payola scheme" and claimed that he was fired after he brought these issues up with then-president Phillip Berk. On his way out, he met Berk, whose organization votes on the Golden Globes. ", In May 2021, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association responded to the various critiques levied at them by announcing that they were going to be implementing "radical reform." "If I've done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended," he said in the statement. However, in an official statement Friday the HFPA stated that "the report included alleged information that the association had previously been unaware of" and that it "stands firmly against sexual harassmentand type of behavior described in this article.". Johansson's"Avengers" co-star Mark Ruffalo has also voiced criticism of the HFPA, claiming that "honestly, as a recent winner of a Golden Globe, I cannot feel proud or happy about being a recipient of this award," per the BBC. This came after the 2021 Golden Globe Awards, which notably snubbed Black-led projects such as "Judas and the Black Messiah," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," and "One Night in Miami." 344 Hollywood Foreign Press Associations Cecil B Demille Award Announcement Premium High Res Photos Browse 344 hollywood foreign press associations cecil b demille award announcement stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. I felt ill, he said, recalling his emotions after he removed Berks hand. Fraser, who came forward in February to accuse Berk of sexual misconduct, talked to GQ magazine about his sexual harassment claim with the HFPA. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association responded in a statement that reads: "The HFPA stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. All rights reserved. I felt like a little kid.