Amazon Studios is currently conducting an investigation after a former assistant to actor Jeffrey Tambor accused him sexual harassment via social media, according to Variety.
In a private Facebook post, Van Barnes alleged that the actor engaged in inappropriate conduct. While it is unclear at this time what exactly what she accusing him of, Tambor has said the allegations are "baseless."
"I am aware that a former disgruntled assistant of mine has made a private post implying that I had acted in an improper manner toward her," Tambor said in a statement on Wednesday. "I adamantly and vehemently reject and deny any and all implication and allegation that I have ever engaged in any improper behavior toward this person or any other person I have ever worked with. I am appalled and distressed by this baseless allegation."
Amazon Studios, which broadcasts "Transparent," has begun the process of speaking with members of the show's "production and Tambor personally, per the studio’s policy," Variety reported.
This news comes just weeks after, Roy Price, the former head of Amazon Studios, resigned following accusations of sexual harassment leveled by Isa Dick Hackett, producer of the Amazon show "The Man in the High Castle."
Both of these reports come amidst the daily cascade of allegations attached to notable men in Hollywood for sexual misconduct following the October exposés detailing allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein. In the last month, charges against industry veterans such as Brett Ratner, James Toback, Kevin Spacey, Dustin Hoffman and others have surfaced. Some of these allegations have precipitated firings. Some have spurred police investigations. None have, as of yet, led to indictments of any kind (though there appears to be at least one pending in Weinstein's case according to some reports).
The winner of 42 industry awards, "Transparent" centers on a family dealing with dysfunction and the transition of its patriarch, played by Tambor, from a man to a woman. Tambor has taken home two Emmys and a Golden Globe for the role and the series itself has earned three GLAAD Awards for Outstanding Comedy Series. Tambor's previous work includes "Arrested Development," "The Larry Sanders Show" and "Hill Street Blues."
In addition to working as Tambor's assistant beginning in 2014, Barnes has also become visible in front of the camera. Herself a trans woman, Barnes has appeared in a minor role on "Transparent" and had turns on Caitlyn Jenner's reality show "I Am Cait" and a documentary television series focused on transgender issues called "This Is Me." She is also credited as the director, producer and star of the short film "You Will Never Ever Be a Woman. You Must Live the Rest of Your Days Entirely as a Man, and You Will Only Grow More Masculine with Each Passing Year. There Is No Way Out."
Shares