Warner Bros. CEO is out after report of affair with actress whose career he offered to help advance
The CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment is resigning after a report that he had an affair with an actress and promised to help advance her career.
Kevin Tsujihara announced on Monday that he would step down as chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment, saying that after thinking about how "my past actions might impact the company's future," he has decided this is "in Warner Bros.' best interest," per Deadline. He went on to say that he won't "let media attention on my past detract from all the great work the team is doing."
The Hollywood Reporter had previously reported that Tsujihara had a sexual relationship with an actress, Charlotte Kirk, and promised he would help her land auditions for Warner Bros. projects. Following the report, WarnerMedia said it would launch an investigation. Kirk, who has appeared in the Warner Bros. films How to Be Single and Ocean's 8, denied that Tsujihara promised her anything and said she has "no issues with him or claims against him." Tsujihara also denied having a direct role in casting Kirk. One text published by the reporter showed Tsujihara telling Kirk he had made "a bit of a stir" trying to get her cast in a project, saying that "I just need to be careful."
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This report came just as Tsujihara's role at WarnerMedia had been expanded after the company's purchase by AT&T, per CNN. Tsujihara previously apologized in a memo to employees, saying "I deeply regret that I have made mistakes in my personal life."
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Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.
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