According to a report, 13 women have accused the famous French actor, Gerard Depardieu, of sexual harassment.
Depardieu has been accused of sexual harassment by 13 women, most of whom were extras in films shot between 2004 and 2022, according to a report by Mediapart, a French independent investigative website.
The accusations were made by female actors, make-up artists, and production staff, some of whom spoke on the basis of anonymity, and allegedly occurred during the filming of 11 films released between 2004 and 2022,” as per Variety.
One of the women who worked as an extra on the 2015 film “The Box” claimed that Depardieu “tried to get into (her) knickers” and “put his hand under (her) dress.” She reportedly resisted, at which point the actor became aggressive.
According to an anonymous member of the production team, the movie scene was allegedly modified to ensure that the alleged victim was no longer near Depardieu anymore.
During the filming of a movie, another actor claimed to have heard Depardieu shouting that he could have anyone he wanted and that he did not want the person in question, whom he referred to as a “fat pig.”
Helène Darras, an extra on the movie “Disco,” recounted to Mediapart that Depardieu had touched her inappropriately by “grabbing [her] by the waist” and having a “wandering hand.” She further claimed that the actor had even grabbed her buttocks.
The 26-year-old Darras said that he put “his hand on [her] bum in an insistent way” and suggested that they go to his dressing room.
Three non-French extras working on the filming of “Big House” in New York City in 2015 have alleged that the Golden Globe-winning actor attempted to fondle them.
The film’s wardrobe assistant, Isabel Butel, allegedly reacted to the accusations by saying, “It was kind of ‘Oh, that’s Gérard, he’s a bit mischievous!'”
As per reports, none of the 13 women have taken any legal action against the 74-year-old Depardieu yet.
The statement from the Paris prosecutor’s office noted: “The prosecutor has not received any new lawsuit. A formal investigation, launched in 2020 following the lawsuit filed by Charlotte Arnaud, is still ongoing.”
Cabinet Temime, who is Depardieu’s legal representative, has denied all allegations made against the actor.
Depardieu “formally denies all of the accusations that could be subject to criminal law.”
Depardieu’s legal counsel has released a statement declaring that the actor has no plans to respond to the accusations, which they claim appear to combine diverse topics, including subjective assessments and moral judgments.
Depardieu was indicted on charges of rape and sexual assault on December 16, 2020, following a lawsuit filed by Charlotte Arnould in 2018.
