Sony Pictures Co-Chair Amy Pascal apologizes for emails about Obama

Dec. 11, 2014 10:19 AM PT

Sony Pictures Co-Chairman Amy Pascal has apologized for remarks made in emails to producer Scott Rudin that contained racially charged comments about President Obama.

“The content of my emails to Scott were insensitive and inappropriate but are not an accurate reflection of who I am,” Pascal said in a statement on Thursday. “Although this was a private communication that was stolen, I accept full responsibility for what I wrote and apologize to everyone who was offended.”

The remarks were made public as part of the release of a slew of messages between Pascal and major Hollywood figures including Scott Rudin, Seth Rogen and Aaron Sorkin. The studio’s computer systems were shut down on Nov. 24 after a devastating cyber attack.

In a November 2013 email exchange between Pascal and Rudin, the Sony co-chair asked the producer what she should ask the president at a breakfast hosted by DreamWorks Animation.

According to the emails, obtained by the Times, Rudin replied: “Would he like to finance some movies.”

Pascal said, “I doubt it. Should I ask him if he liked DJANGO?” Rudin replied: “12 Years.”

After Pascal asked whether the president would like the Kevin Hart movie “Think Like a Man,” Rudin said: “Ride-along. I bet he likes Kevin Hart.”

The White House declined to comment on the Pascal emails. Pascal is known as a supporter of Democratic politicians. According to OpenSecrets.org, Pascal donated $2,300 to Obama in June 2007, $5,000 in April 2011.

Rudin has also publicly apologized for his remarks, in a statement to the Times: “Private emails between friends and colleagues written in haste and without much thought or sensitivity, even when the content of them is meant to be in jest, can result in offense where none was intended. I am deeply sorry and apologize for any injury they might have caused.”

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