‘I am ashamed I did this’: Stars reflect on — and rethink — working with Woody Allen
While some have defended him, a growing list of actors and actresses who have worked with director Woody Allen are reconsidering their participation in his films. Some even say they’ll never work with him again. (Jan. 17, 2018)
Sparked by the #MeToo and #TimesUp movements, a renewed backlash against legendary director Woody Allen has been simmering in recent weeks.
In a 2014 open letter published in the New York Times, Dylan Farrow — adopted daughter of Allen and actress Mia Farrow — alleged that Allen sexually abused her when she was 7 years old. It was the first time Farrow had written publicly about the allegations that first surfaced in 1993.
Then, in December 2017, after Harvey Weinstein had been decried by much of the film industry for the dozens of accusations of sexual misconduct made against him, Farrow penned another op-ed.
Writing for the Los Angeles Times, under the headline “Why has the #MeToo revolution spared Woody Allen?,†Farrow asked where was the outrage for what she experienced. She name-checked actresses who had worked with Allen since her accusations had been made, including Kate Winslet and Blake Lively.
“Although the culture seems to be shifting rapidly, my allegation is apparently still just too complicated, too difficult, too ‘dangerous,’ to use Lively’s term, to confront,†Farrow wrote.
Actors and actresses who have starred in Allen’s films have often been confronted with questions about Farrow’s accusations. But now they seem to be taking action, from donating their salaries from Allen’s films to declaring they’ll never work with the embattled director again.
Here are a few of their varied responses over the years:
Alec Baldwin
I worked [with Allen] three times and it was one of the privileges of my career.
— Alec Baldwin, 2018
Cate Blanchett
It's obviously been a long and painful situation for the family, and I hope they find some resolution and peace.
— Cate Blanchett, 2014
Rachel Brosnahan
While I can’t take it back, it’s important to me, moving forward, to make decisions that better reflect the things that I value and my worldview.
— Rachel Brosnahan, 2018
Timothée Chalamet
I don’t want to profit from my work on the film.
— Timothée Chalamet, 2018
Marion Cotillard
I would question more if he were to ask me to work with him again. Maybe I would dig more. I’m very ignorant about the story with him, I just see it hurts.
— Marion Cotillard, 2018
Miley Cyrus
From the way I saw him with his family, I never saw him be anything but an incredible person and a really great dad. People might slam me for saying that.
— Miley Cyrus, 2016
Colin Firth
I wouldn’t work with him again.
— Colin Firth, 2018
Greta Gerwig
If I had known then what I know now, I would not have acted in the film. I have not worked for him again, and I will not work for him again.
— Greta Gerwig, 2017
Selena Gomez
To be honest, I’m not sure how to answer — not because I’m trying to back away from it.
— Selena Gomez, 2017
Rebecca Hall
I regret this decision and wouldn’t make the same one today.
— Rebecca Hall, 2018
Scarlett Johansson
It's not like this is somebody that's been prosecuted and found guilty of something, and you can then go, 'I don't support this lifestyle or whatever.'
— Scarlett Johansson, 2014
Diane Keaton
Woody Allen is my friend and I continue to believe him. It might be of interest to take a look at the 60 Minute interview from 1992 and see what you think.
— Diane Keaton, 2018
David Krumholtz
I deeply regret working with Woody Allen on 'Wonder Wheel.' It’s one of my most heartbreaking mistakes.
— David Krumholtz, 2018
Blake Lively
It's very dangerous to factor in things you don't know anything about. I ... know my experience. And my experience with Woody is he's empowering to women.
— Blake Lively, 2016
Griffin Newman
It was an educational experience for all the wrong reasons. I learned conclusively that I cannot put my career over my morals again.
— Griffin Newman, 2017
Ellen Page
I did a Woody Allen movie and it is the biggest regret of my career. I am ashamed I did this.
— Ellen Page, 2017
Joaquin Phoenix
I know his daughter ended up writing an open letter. I was not aware of that when we worked together.
— Joaquin Phoenix, 2018
Mira Sorvino
We are in a day and age when everything must be reexamined. If this means tearing down all the old gods, so be it.
— Mira Sorvino, 2018
Kate Winslet
It’s just a difficult discussion. I’d rather respectfully not enter it today. We’re always as actors going to say the wrong thing.
— Kate Winslet, 2017
UPDATES:
Jan. 29, 3:25 p.m.: This article was updated to include Diane Keaton’s latest commentary.
Jan. 22, 12:10 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Joaquin Phoenix.
Jan. 19, 2 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Marion Cotillard.
Jan. 19, 9 a.m.: This article was updated with comments from Colin Firth and Griffin Newman.
Jan. 18, 1 p.m.: This article was updated with comments from Rachel Brosnahan.
This article was originally published Jan. 17 at 8:55 a.m.
Only good movies
Get the Indie Focus newsletter, Mark Olsen's weekly guide to the world of cinema.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
