Richard Dreyfuss makes ‘offensive’ remarks during Mass. theater’s ‘Jaws’ event, venue apologizes
A Massachusetts theater has issued an apology for “distressing and offensive” remarks made by actor Richard Dreyfuss during a special screening of the film “Jaws.”The Cabot in Beverly hosted an event Saturday night billed as “An Evening with Richard Dreyfuss + Jaws Screening,” which featured a question-and-answer session with the actor before the 1975 film he starred in was shown.People who claim they attended Saturday’s event at The Cabot shared on social media that Dreyfuss made sexist and transphobic comments during the Q&A.Dreyfuss was also accused of making disparaging remarks about Barbra Streisand, with whom he starred in the 1987 film “Nuts.”According to some of those social media posts, dozens of people walked out of The Cabot as a result of the remarks made by Dreyfuss.”We deeply regret that Mr. Dreyfuss’s comments during the event were not in line with the values of inclusivity and respect that we uphold at The Cabot. We understand that his remarks were distressing and offensive to many of our community members, and for that, we sincerely apologize,” reads a message sent from The Cabot’s executive director, J. Casey Seward, to the theater’s patrons. “At The Cabot, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community. The views expressed by Mr. Dreyfuss do not reflect our beliefs, and we do not endorse them in any way.”In the apology, Seward said The Cabot takes full responsibility for not anticipating the direction in which the conversation would go, as Dreyfuss had made controversial comments during a May 2023 appearance on PBS’ “Firing Line” regarding the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ diversity and inclusion rules.”We are taking immediate steps to ensure that such an incident does not happen again. This includes more rigorous vetting of our event participants and more proactive communication strategies to keep our audience informed,” Seward wrote.It does not appear Dreyfuss has made any public comments about Saturday’s event at The Cabot.The majority of “Jaws” was filmed on the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard. The movie won three Academy Awards and was nominated for Best Picture.
A Massachusetts theater has issued an apology for “distressing and offensive” remarks made by actor Richard Dreyfuss during a special screening of the film “Jaws.”
The Cabot in Beverly hosted an event Saturday night billed as “An Evening with Richard Dreyfuss + Jaws Screening,” which featured a question-and-answer session with the actor before the 1975 film he starred in was shown.
People who claim they attended Saturday’s event at The Cabot shared on social media that Dreyfuss made sexist and transphobic comments during the Q&A.
Dreyfuss was also accused of making disparaging remarks about Barbra Streisand, with whom he starred in the 1987 film “Nuts.”
According to some of those social media posts, dozens of people walked out of The Cabot as a result of the remarks made by Dreyfuss.
“We deeply regret that Mr. Dreyfuss’s comments during the event were not in line with the values of inclusivity and respect that we uphold at The Cabot. We understand that his remarks were distressing and offensive to many of our community members, and for that, we sincerely apologize,” reads a message sent from The Cabot’s executive director, J. Casey Seward, to the theater’s patrons. “At The Cabot, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community. The views expressed by Mr. Dreyfuss do not reflect our beliefs, and we do not endorse them in any way.”
In the apology, Seward said The Cabot takes full responsibility for not anticipating the direction in which the conversation would go, as Dreyfuss had made controversial comments during a May 2023 appearance on PBS’ “Firing Line” regarding the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences’ diversity and inclusion rules.
“We are taking immediate steps to ensure that such an incident does not happen again. This includes more rigorous vetting of our event participants and more proactive communication strategies to keep our audience informed,” Seward wrote.
It does not appear Dreyfuss has made any public comments about Saturday’s event at The Cabot.
The majority of “Jaws” was filmed on the Massachusetts island of Martha’s Vineyard. The movie won three Academy Awards and was nominated for Best Picture.
