James Woods Stands Behind Brendan Fraser After Sexual Assault Allegation: 'I, Too, Was Blacklisted'
James Woods backs Brendan Fraser's story against former Hollywood Foreign Press Association president Philip Berk, saying he was blacklisted by the executive for his politics.
The Ghosts of Mississippi actor went on Twitter to express his support for Fraser after the latter's tell-all interview with GQ published on Thursday.
Woods vs HFPA
In his tweets, Woods explained that he was blacklisted after one of the press junkets with HFPA, when Berk asked him if he would support Hilary Clinton if the former First Lady runs for president.
I recommend this interview highly. I, too, was blacklisted by that individual at #HFPA after nine Golden Globe nominations. During a press junket with HFPA, he asked if I would support Hillary Clinton if she ever ran for president. Never nominated again. https://t.co/fnAX5GM4Io — James Woods (@RealJamesWoods) February 22, 2018
A known conservative, the Oscar nominated actor has spoken out on Twitter numerous times about being a conservative in the liberal world of Hollywood. Previous tweets last year revealed that Woods has "accepted the fact" that he's blacklisted in the industry. He added that fellow Republican actors are scared that the same thing will happen to them and cause them to lose work.
Woods used to be a Democrat, until former President Bill Clinton was impeached in 1998. Upon seeing the whole party stand behind Clinton after his conviction, Woods say, he withdrew his support for the party.
Brendan Speaks Out
The award-winning actor linked Fraser's revealing interview in GQ in his tweet. The original Mummy star, who's been out of the spotlight for a number of years, opened up on his family, sacrificing his body for acting, and his traumatizing experience with Berk in 2003.
According to Fraser, Berk groped him on the butt and between his legs until the actor was able to remove the executive's hand. He described it as a depressing experience that had him blaming himself. While the star chose not to make the incident public at the time, his representatives asked the HFPA for a written apology.
Berk did write a letter to Fraser, although the former president is adamant the actor's version of the events "is a total fabrication."
As a result of the incident, Fraser says HFPA told him they will not allow Berk in the same room as him again in the future. The actor also suspected he's blacklisted by the organization, rarely getting invited to attend the Golden Globes after the experience.
A follow-up tweet by Woods clarifies that he was never the subject of sexually inappropriate behavior from Berk like Fraser was, although they're similarly blacklisted by the HFPA.
HFPA Issues A Statement
In response to Fraser's allegations, HFPA released a statement to the Los Angeles Times, saying the GQ article revealed details they were unaware of.
"The HFPA stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article," the group states, adding that they have a good relationship with Fraser. "This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident."
