Yael Stone has accused Geoffrey Rush of sexually inappropriate behaviour during their time working together on The Diary of a Madman in 2010-11.
In an article published in The New York Times, Stone says she tolerated the behaviour because, “I didn’t want him to think I was no fun, that I was one of those people who couldn’t take a joke.”
She alleges that Rush danced naked in front of her, sent sexually suggestive text messages and used a mirror to view her while she showered. Stone says she “feel[s] a responsibility to speak,” and hopes by coming forward she can contribute to the changes being made by the #MeToo movement.
Stone adds that she contacted Rush via email last year in the hope that he would apologise. She never received a reply.
For his part, Rush denies the allegations. In a statement, he said that: “From the outset I must make it clear that the allegations of inappropriate behaviour made by Yael Stone are incorrect and in some instances have been taken completely out of context.
“However, clearly Yael has been upset on occasion by the spirited enthusiasm I generally bring to my work. I sincerely and deeply regret if I have caused her any distress. This, most certainly, has never been my intention.”
It is not the first time Rush has been accused of inappropriate behaviour. In 2017 Eryn Jean Norvill reported to The Daily Telegraph in Australia that Rush had touched her inappropriately. Rush is currently suing the paper for defamation, with a verdict from the trial expected in early 2019.
