Richard Dreyfuss, an actor, is currently experiencing criticism for allegedly making remarks that audience members found offensive, homophobic, and misogynistic during a Q&A event that was held over the weekend in conjunction with a screening of “Jaws” at a Massachusetts theater. The 1975 blockbuster, which was filmed in Massachusetts and screened on Saturday night at The Cabot, a performing arts center in the coastal community of Beverly, starred Dreyfuss.
Dreyfuss donned a dress to the “Jaws”-themed event, during which he made disparaging remarks regarding women, LGBTQ+ individuals, and diversity. The venue issued an apology following the event, which it had advertised as “An evening with Richard Dreyfuss” to coincide with the movie screening.
The 76-year-old actor, who portrayed a marine biologist in “Jaws,” entered the stage wearing a blue, floral-patterned dress. Stage personnel assisted him in removing it before he donned a sport coat. Dreyfuss’s entrance is captured in a YouTube video, where he is seen performing an improvised dance in the dress as he ascends the stage. The song “Love Story” by Taylor Swift is playing in the backdrop.
Some members of the audience withdrew from the supposed lighthearted question-and-answer session due to his comments regarding the #MeToo movement, transgender adolescents, LGBTQ+ rights, and the Academy Awards’ initiatives to promote inclusivity, as well as his comments regarding women in film. Dreyfuss has previously stated that the academy’s diversity initiatives “make me vomit.”
One user commented on The Cabot’s Facebook page, “We, along with hundreds of others, exited his interview tonight due to his racist, homophobic, and misogynistic tirade.”
Dreyfuss was met with acclaim at the conclusion of the discussion when he cited his book, “One Thought Scares Me…” and his belief that civics is no longer being taught in classrooms, which is detrimental to the country. He is heard remarking in another video shared online from that portion of the Q&A, “We have no knowledge of who the hell we are,” due to the absence of a foundation in civics.
Dreyfuss continued, “And if we do not retrieve it soon, we will all perish.” “Ensure that your children are not the last generation of Americans.” Additionally, you are acutely aware of the subject matter.
The Cabot Company issued an email apology in which it stated that it did not support the actor’s opinions. The actor was also featured in “American Graffiti,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” and “The Goodbye Girl,” for which he received an Oscar. The executive director of the venue did not respond to communications promptly on Tuesday, and a representative for Dreyfuss was impossible to contact.
“We are deeply sorry that Mr. Dreyfuss’s remarks during the event were not consistent with the principles of respect and inclusivity that we uphold at The Cabot.” We are aware that his comments were distressing and offensive to a significant number of our community members, and we extend our sincerest apologies for this. as stated in The Cabot’s statement. CBS News attempted to obtain further commentary from the venue; however, it did not receive an immediate response.
Dreyfuss was the subject of criticism last year for his comments in an interview on the PBS program “Firing Line with Margaret Hoover,” where he discussed new inclusion initiatives for the Academy Awards. The Academy initially announced in 2020 that it was developing a set of eligibility standards for Best Picture contenders to “encourage more equitable representation on and off screen.” These standards were implemented for the Oscars this year.
When queried about the eligibility requirements, Dreyfuss responded, “They make me vomit.” “Because this is an art form.” It is also a form of commerce that generates revenue. However, it is an art form. As an artist, I should not be compelled to conform to the most recent, most up-to-date definition of morality. Additionally, what are we at peril of? Is it truly possible that we could inflict emotional distress on others? It is impossible to enact legislation that prohibits that.
“It’s about the fact that 50 years ago, without telling anybody, they took civics out of the curriculum of all public schools in America, which means we have no knowledge of who the hell we are,” Dreyfuss stated regarding the publication. “And if we do not retrieve it soon, we will all perish.” Ensure that your children are not the last generation of Americans. Additionally, you are acutely aware of the subject matter.