Richard Dreyfuss Causes Outrage With Anti-LGBT & Sexist Tirade At Jaws Screening
Image: Image: John Manard / Flickr
Hollywood actor Richard Dreyfuss has caused outrage at a ‘Jaws’ screening, after a Q&A with the actor veered into a 3-hour long tirade of sexism, racism, homophobia and transphobia.
The event on Saturday night at The Cabot Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts, was advertised as a discussion with fans of the hit 1975 film.
Social media posts allege he mocked trans people and made misogynist remarks.
“He started the evening mocking trans people, and then further leaned into his bigotry as the interview progressed,” described one witness.
Further comments attributed to Dreyfuss appeared to target trans kids: “You shouldn’t be listening to some 10-year-old who says they want to be a boy instead of a girl.”
Dreyfuss on Barbra Streisand: ‘Women shouldn’t have that much power’
Other social media posts from those in attendance allege he shared views on the #metoo movement, and offered bizarre takes on Steven Spielberg and Barbra Streisand, whom he co-starred in the movie ‘Nuts’ with.
He reportedly called Streisand a “genius” but added he “didn’t listen to her because she is a woman and women shouldn’t have that power.”
My girlfriend’s parents were there, here’s what they said lol pic.twitter.com/915i3O6Zb3
— kell-i 🔪 (@kleemcadams) May 26, 2024
Others reported Dreyfuss opined that women are too passive to make big movies work, and that he continued his recent attacks on the Academy Awards’ new inclusivity rules which he has said “make (him) vomit”.
Whilst video or a transcript of the full rant hasn’t surfaced yet, a clip on YouTube shows entering the stage wearing a dress over his clothes, performing a dance of sorts to Taylor Swift’s ‘Love Story’ before being helped into a blazer.
Attendees began leaving Dreyfuss’ “vile” talk after 20 minutes
The actor’s tirade was reportedly so shocking that Variety reports people began leaving after just 20 minutes.
Attendees began sharing their experiences on the Facebook page of The Cabot Theatre.
One commenter called Dreyfuss’ hours-long rant as “vile, dehumanising, abhorrent things about trans youth, LGBTQ+ people, women and survivors of sexual violence.”
“A young family with a 10 year old daughter had to leave,” recounted another commenter.
“Should have been fun, but what a disappointment. Dreyfus is a pathetic clown and an intolerant jerk. Sad.” wrote another attendee.
Others stayed, but spoke out about the ‘off the rails’ event.
Okay so we saw him do a pre-show talk in 2019 and holy shit it went off the rails, too. He talked for at least 3 hours too long. In the grip & grin before, we told him we worked in history & sustainability and he went down a rabbit hole for ~10 minutes. It was WEIRD. pic.twitter.com/zd3Zx2nurO
— dr.domesticsupply (@kwittman) May 27, 2024
Cabot Theatre apologises and ‘deeply regrets’ event
The Cabot Theatre sent a lengthy apology to those in attendance, and also in a statement issued to The Hollywood Reporter:
“The views expressed by Mr Dreyfuss do not reflect the values of inclusivity and respect that we uphold as an organisation. We deeply regret the distress that this has caused to many of our patrons.”
Someone clearly UNWORTHY to still be receiving 1 millisecond of public adulation. Can’t recall the last must see movie he was in? Nor any previous I have the smallest priority, to catch up with seeing his best known flicks. ERASE them ALL! NONE are that good to excuse such an abuse of hospitality, towards those that invited him to be there.