Absolutely. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the 87-member organization that presents the Golden Globe Awards, issued a statement Saturday in response to increasing criticism concerning its lack of . 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Need a break from the news? Scott. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. The HFPA stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article, the association said in a statement, according to People. All rights reserved, UN Report: How Florida is Fueling Haiti's Arms Trafficking Crisis, Philippine Provincial Governor Shot Dead by Gunmen While Meeting Villagers, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. He said he asked for a written apology and that the HFPA set an agreement to never allow Fraser or Berk to be together in the same room again. I dont know if this curried disfavor with the group, with the HFPA. I felt like a little kid. It made me feel reclusive." Absolutely, he says. Why didn't Fraser go public? Lorenzo Soria (27 November 1951 - 7 August 2020) was an Argentine-Italian journalist and executive who served as the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for three terms. . "It made me feel reclusive," the . User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and 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. Have I wanted to many, many times? Subscribe to Deadline Breaking News Alerts and keep your inbox happy. Absolutely," he said. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Fraser said that he spoke with an independent investigator in April, which the HFPA confirmed. Actual trophies wouldn't be given until the third annual Golden Globe Awards. It's unclear whether or not any other stars will follow suit and physically return their own Golden Globes. "Am I still frightened? I Didn't Start Masturbating Until I Was 30. His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. Fraser's account is disconcertingly reminiscent of reports from women in Hollywood who have spoken out about experiencing professional retaliation after being harassed or assaulted. Members ended up returning the watches in response to the criticism regarding the gifts, while USA Films claimed that "the studio got the watches for free and didn't realize how expensive they were.". By subscribing, I agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Absolutely. The incident happened in public at a summer luncheon held by the HFPA (which hosts the Golden Globes annually). Absolutely. Flaa's lawsuit alleged that the HFPA operated like a cartel and instituted a "culture of corruption," writes the Los Angeles Times, and actively barred qualified candidates such as herself. And HFPA has stated that their payments are "vetted by a professional nonprofit compensation consultant and outside counsel, where appropriate. Helen Hoehne will be the next President of the HFPA, it was revealed today. Market data provided by Factset. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Brendan Fraser (left) accused former Hollywood Foreign Press President Philip Berk of groping him in 2003. I was blaming myself and I was miserablebecause I was saying, This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel. That summer wore onand I cant remember what I went on to work on next.. 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. I think it was. From 'Nymphomaniac' to 'Little Ashes': Unsimulated Sex Scenes in 36 Films, I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative, Fraser said. 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. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association ( HFPA) is a nonprofit organization of journalists [3] and photographers who report on the entertainment industry activity and interests in the United States for media (newspaper, [4] magazine and book publication, television and radio broadcasting) predominantly outside the U.S. He told GQ that he removed Berk's hand. The actor said he refused to sign, because he "didn't get the joke." 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. But his career has noticeably waned over the past decade, leading journalists and commenters to ask multiple variations of the same question: What happened to Brendan Fraser? Active members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association vote for the Golden Globe Awards, which means that "the Globes are overseen by an extremely small number of people," considering that in comparison, the Academy Awards are voted on by over 9,000 people. The organization drew widespread criticism for this year's slate of . Related ", However, as the Los Angeles Times investigation notes, these payments may go beyond what is reasonable. Related Get The Latest IndieWire Alerts And Newsletters Delivered Directly To Your Inbox. "His left-hand reaches around grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. 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. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. 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. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. There have also been numerous claims that voters are easily swayed. Market data provided by Factset. All rights reserved. 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." April 19, 2021 3:30 PM PT. His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. The allegation comes in a current GQ profile of Fraser titled What Ever Happened to Brendan Fraser?. He rushed home and told his wife about the encounter, but was afraid to go public with the incident. And as soon as the HFPA had done the bare minimum, they were back in NBC's good graces. He also said he did not care why Berk touched him. There was also an incident in 1999, when HFPA members were gifted $400 Coach watches by USA Films. I haven't spoken to them in years, but they're my friends. Cruise won his three awards for his roles in "Magnolia," "Jerry Maguire," and "Born on the Fourth of July.". In response, both MRC and NBC, both of which are involved in the production and broadcasting of the Golden Globe Awards, demanded Berk's expulsion from the HFPA, and two days after sending the email Berk was removed from the HFPA after 44 years of membership. I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative, he added. President Lorenzo Soria, who oversaw the organization that puts on the annual Golden Globe Awards, has died. Then, in April 2021, he was expelled from the organization after sending an article that described Black Lives Matters as a "racist hate movement" to HFPA members. 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. I was blaming myself and I was miserablebecause I was saying, This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel. That summer wore onand I cant remember what I went on to work on next., Fraser says the experience made me retreat. And he starts moving it around," the actor said. And he starts moving it around, Fraser told GQ. Berk tells the magazine that Frasers version is total fabrication. In Berks memoir, he recounts the incident, in which he placed his hand on Frasers butt during a hug, as a jest. In the summer of 2003, then-president Philip Berk groped Brendan Fraser at the Beverly Hills Hotel. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. Brendan Fraser is sharing his own Me Too experience and says a 15-year-old assault may have contributed to the derailment of his career. Have I wanted to many, many times? Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. 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. Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. 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. "And he starts moving it around." Winners included Paul Lukas, Jennifer Jones, and the film "The Song of Bernadette." The actor claims that Philip Berk former president of the HFPA, the organization that hosts the Golden Globes inappropriately touched him in 2003. . Terry Crews is suing the Hollywood agent he accused of groping him last year at an industry event. Brendan Fraser was at the peak of his career when he was sexually abused by Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), as revealed in an interview published by GQ on Thursday. president criticizing Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors and likening BLM to a hate group . It made me feel reclusive. His career seemed on hold. 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 . Deadline is a part of Penske Media Corporation. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.". Anne Thompson This lack of representation also affects the films highlighted by the Golden Globes, which has been criticized numerous times for its lack of racial diversity in both nominations and awards. 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. Is it ever okay to ask a woman especially one who's publicly undergone IVF if she's pregnant? Do I feel like I need to say something? Your California Privacy Rights. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. 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. Absolutely. I felt like a little kid. 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. He was a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association since 1989 and served in the administration for 25 years he formerly held the position of president from 2003-2005 and 2015-2017. Then he went home and told his wife. He also wrote about the incident in his memoir, according to People, but Berk said he pinched Fraser in jest.. Write to Abigail Abrams at abigail.abrams@time.com. 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. And he starts moving it around. Despite his inappropriate behavior, Philip Berk stayed on as a part of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. As the Golden Globes-presenting group hopes to find its way back into a Tinseltown power position, old-guarder Hoehne has her work cut out for her especially with NBC having pulled the plug on the 2022 Globes in May as the organization became mired in more and more controversy over its members/ behavior and its lack of a single Black member. I thought I was going to cry," he says. Historically, the HFPA has sought to maintain its reserved and exclusive appearance. I felt ill, he said, recalling his emotions after he removed Berks hand. 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." For the HFPA, the Golden Globe Awards were meant to be a way to "boost their profile." Fraser, through his representatives, asked the HFPA for an apology, which Berk says he wrote, but added: "My apology admitted no wrongdoing, the usual 'If I've done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended and I apologize. Fraser said when the group approached him and asked him to sign off on the statement, "What I said to them was, 'Show me the investigator's report, and then I'll know what I'm signing off on.'" Dave Quinn is an Editor for PEOPLE, working across a number of verticals including the Entertainment, Lifestyle and News teams. He believes it's partly why his career derailed, and said: "The phone does stop ringing in your career, and you start asking yourself why. Absolutely. The HFPA's board members are also paid, making "between $63,433 and $135,957 in the tax year ending June 30, 2019. June 7, 2018 / 2:27 PM 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. Fraser is not the only male star taking action over assault claims. 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. Magazines, Digital This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.. A comprehensive 2016 study by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission found that some 75 percent of U.S. survivors of workplace harassment experienced retaliation when they spoke up about their experiences, with male-dominated and service-oriented industries as some of the biggest hotbeds of workplace injustice. You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! One member confused Daniel Kaluuya for another Black actor, Leslie Odom Jr., just minutes after Kaluuya's Oscar win, while a former Hollywood Foreign Press president was expelled from the group . In a new interview with GQ published on Thursday, the Mummy star, 49, claims that former Hollywood Foreign Press Association (the non-profit organization that votes for the Golden Globe awards) president Philip Berk sexually assaulted him in the summer of 2003, while at a luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hotel an alleged incident Berk disputes. Former HFPA president Phillip Berk. HFPA President Lorenzo Soria expressed his enthusiasm and hopes for what the grant bestowed upon CSUN will bring. Previously on the HFPAs Board of Directors from 2012-19, frequent German TV contributor Hoehne is one of the current board members. of self-dealing, ethical lapses. [Work] withered on the vine for me.