Hollywood actor Fred Savage has responded to his accusers following allegations of misconduct on the set of the “Wonder Years” revival.
The showrunners at Disney fired Savage from his position as director of the reboot due to the claims made by female coworkers who had worked with the former child star. Savage had previously been in the original series from the 1980s, where he was also the subject of allegations of sexual assault on production.
The actor has now come forward to refute the recent allegations of abuse and said he was devastated by the charges that defamed his behavior as a director.
Fred Savage Felt ‘Devastated’
MEGASavage told the New York Post in a statement that he finds it “devastating” that some people think he didn’t create a workplace that was “inclusive, safe, and supportive” for those working on the film projects.
“Since I was 6 years old, I have worked on hundreds of sets with thousands of people and have always strived to contribute to an inclusive, safe and supportive work environment. It is devastating to learn that there are coworkers who feel I have fallen short of these goals,” the 46-year-old told the publication.
The film director continued by claiming that many of the allegations made by his accusers were false and merely made up to tarnish him further. However, he promised to change any negative behavior he may have displayed in the past.
“I will work to address and change any behavior that has negatively affected anyone, as nothing in this world is more important to me than being a supportive coworker, friend, husband, father, and person.”
The Accusations
MEGAIn May, the former child star was let go from the “Wonder Years” revival after a slew of allegations of improper behavior from female coworkers. The accusations were sent in anonymously to the showrunners at Disney to seemingly avoid the overwhelming publicity that comes with such ordeals.
In one of the allegations, it was described in detail how Savage forced himself on a colleague and a supposed friend who had gone to the restroom to relieve herself.
“He put his mouth on mine very forcefully. He went for the top of my pants. I brushed him away,” the woman said of the incident, which occurred during a worker’s hangout in a bar (via The Hollywood Reporter.)
“Then he put his mouth on mine again, grabbed my hand, and pulled it on his groin area. I was pulling back. He stopped very angrily. I shoulder-checked him so I could get out.”
Fred Savage Has Faced Harassment Accusations In The Past
MEGAAnother complainant claimed to THR that Savage had a dark persona that would manifest itself whenever he interacted with “below-the-line employees who don’t have power.” She added that “his eyes would go dead” while “verbally abusing” them.
Savage has faced similar ordeals in the past, which further lends credence to his recent troubles. In 2019, he reached a settlement with Youngjoo Hwang, the costume designer for the former Fox sitcom “The Grinder,” following an assault and harassment accusation from her.
In 2018, actress Alley Mills, who starred in the original “Wonder Years” from the 1980s, stated that the drama series was canceled when a set employee accused the then 16-year-old Savage and 20-year-old Jason Hervey of sexual harassment. At the time, the charge was dropped due to an out-of-court settlement.
Fred Savage Is Self-Reflecting On His Actions
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It remains to be seen if a lawsuit will be filed against Savage following his firing from the “The Wonders Years” reboot. In the meantime, Savage is “doing a lot of self-reflection,” per a report from Page Six.
“Fred has really taken this issue very seriously and is doing a lot of self-reflection about how he could and should have handled different circumstances better,” a source told the publication. The insider also revealed that Savage is aware that he could be “an a–hole at times” and that the film director was making the most of his firing to deal with several unresolved personal issues.
During this period, Savage has received “overwhelming support” from friends, colleagues, and family, per claims from Page Six. The “Dash& Lily” director is currently married to “The In-Between” star Jennifer Lynn Stone.
