Richard Dreyfuss ruins “Jaws” screening with misogynistic and transphobic speech

BEVERLY, Massachusetts, USA. (AP) — Actor Richard Dreyfuss appeared on stage in a dress at a “Jaws”-themed event in Massachusetts, where the hit 1975 movie he starred in was filmed, and then proceeded to make degrading comments about women, LGBTQ+ people and diversity.

The forum, The Cabot in the Beverly community, issued an apology after Saturday’s event.

The 76-year-old actor, who played a marine biologist in the film, took the stage in a blue floral-print dress which he was helped to remove before putting on a sports coat.

During what was supposed to be a light-hearted question-and-answer session, some people in the audience walked out over his comments about women in film and the #MeToo movement, transgender youth and LGBTQ+ rights, and the efforts of the Academy Awards to encourage inclusion.

Dreyfuss had previously said that the academy’s diversity efforts “make me want to vomit.”

Richard Dreyfuss on Hollywood’s inclusivity standards: “They make me vomit.” pic.twitter.com/JlV7H4jQJg

— Terri Green (@TerriGreenUSA) May 27, 2024

The actor received applause when he ended the talk by referencing his book, “One Thought Scares Me…” and his opinion that civics education is no longer taught in classrooms, to the detriment of the United States.

The lack of a foundation in civics means “we have no knowledge of who the hell we are,” he said. “If we don’t get it back soon, we’re all going to die.”

The Cabot emailed an apology saying it did not endorse the views of the actor, who also starred in “Close Encounters of The Third Kind,” “American Graffiti,” “) and “The Goodbye Girl”, a performance for which she received an Oscar.

The forum’s executive director did not immediately respond to emails sent Tuesday, and a representative for Dreyfuss could not be reached.

“We deeply regret that Mr. Dreyfuss’ comments during the event were not in line with the values ​​of inclusion and respect that we uphold at The Cabot. We understand that his comments were distressing and offensive to many of our community members, and therefore “We sincerely apologize,” The Cabot’s statement said.