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Warner Bros boss resigns over sex scandal
Kevin Tsujihara quits amid claims he promised a British actress roles while they were having an affair
The chairman and CEO of Warner Bros, Kevin Tsujihara, has stood down following accusations that he helped secure roles for an actress with whom he was allegedly having an affair.
An internal investigation was launched earlier this month after The Hollywood Reporter claimed that the married 54-year-old executive had a sexual relationship with British actress Charlotte Kirk.
John Stankey, head of WarnerMedia, said it was in the studio’s “best interest” that Tsujihara resign.
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“Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the company’s leadership expectations and could impact the company’s ability to execute going forward,” Stankey said. “[He] has contributed greatly to the studio’s success over the past 25 years and for that we thank him.”
Tsujihara, who was appointed to the top job in 2013, “is the latest high-profile Hollywood figure accused of impropriety since the #MeToo movement put heavier scrutiny on the industry and its executives,” says Bloomberg.
Hundreds of leaked emails and texts reportedly revealed that the studio boss had a sexual relationship with the young actress and promised to help her get television and film roles.
Kirk has appeared in two Warners films - How to Be Single and Ocean’s 8 - and reportedly auditioned for a number of other roles with the studio.
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In a statement sent to The Hollywood Reporter, the actress denied “any inappropriate behaviour” and said that Tsujihara “never promised me anything”.
But in later comments to Fox News, she said: “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Kevin Tsujihara stepping down at Warners.
Our relationship ended many years ago. The release of the story by the Hollywood Reporter was nothing to do with me. In fact, I tried to prevent it.”
