Richard Dreyfuss Slammed For ‘Offensive’ ‘Jaws’ Q&A, Theater Apologizes

Lately, “Jaws” star Richard Dreyfuss has come underneath hearth for talking out on topics akin to Oscar range necessities and the usage of Blackface.

At a “Jaws” retrospective screening in Beverly, Mass. on Saturday night, he appeared to take his inflammatory remarks even additional as he ranted about topics reported to incorporate trans individuals, Barbra Streisand, the MeToo motion and girls on the whole. As attendee Diane Wolfe described it to the Boston Globe, “[Dreyfuss] mentioned that the dad and mom of trans youth, permitting them to transition, was dangerous parenting and that sometime these youngsters may change their minds.”

In an announcement, Cabot government director J. Casey Soward apologized for not anticipating that Dreyfuss may say provocative issues on stage.

“We remorse that an occasion that was meant to be a dialog to have fun an iconic film as an alternative grew to become a platform for political beliefs. We take full duty for the oversight in not anticipating the path of the dialog and for the discomfort it induced to many patrons,” Soward mentioned. “We’re in lively dialogue with our patrons about their expertise and are dedicated to studying from this occasion tips on how to higher enact our mission of entertaining, educating and galvanizing our group.”

The Cabot additionally despatched an e-mail to those that bought tickets to the occasion in response to New Bedford, Mass. radio station WBSM, and apologized for feedback it characterised as “offensive and distressing.” In line with WBSM, which obtained the e-mail from a patron, it learn:

“Pricey Cabot Patrons,

I’m writing to deal with an vital matter regarding final evening’s occasion with Richard Dreyfuss at The Cabot.

We deeply remorse that Mr. Dreyfuss’s feedback throughout the occasion weren’t in keeping with the values of inclusivity and respect that we uphold at The Cabot. We perceive that his remarks had been distressing and offensive to a lot of our group members, and for that, we sincerely apologize.

At The Cabot, we’re dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive setting for all members of our group. The views expressed by Mr. Dreyfuss don’t mirror our beliefs, and we don’t endorse them in any approach.

We take full duty for the oversight in not anticipating the path of the dialog and for any discomfort it induced.

We’re taking instant steps to make sure that such an incident doesn’t occur once more. This contains extra rigorous vetting of our occasion individuals and extra proactive communication methods to maintain our viewers knowledgeable.

Thanks on your understanding and continued assist of The Cabot.

We worth your suggestions and are devoted to studying from this expertise to raised serve our group.”

In a video an attendee posted to YouTube, Dreyfuss comes onstage to applause whereas a Taylor Swift tune performs, sporting a gown over his garments, which stagehands then take away earlier than he sits down.

Fb commenters expressed anger over his feedback, characterizing them as “vile, dehumanizing, abhorrent issues about trans youth, LGBTQ+ individuals, girls and survivors of sexual violence.”

“A younger household with a ten 12 months previous daughter needed to depart,” recounted one other commenter. Dozens of patrons reportedly walked out of the venue.

After the screening, one other video posted to YouTube. reveals him speaking a few guide he revealed in 2022. “Why don’t you inform us about your new guide?” the moderator says. “It’s known as ‘One Thought Scares Me,’” Dreyfuss solutions, “And it’s about how 50 years in the past, with out telling anybody, they took civics out of the curriculum. Which suggests now we have no information of who the hell we’re.” His remarks are met with applause from the remaining moviegoers.

Dreyfuss couldn’t instantly be reached for remark throughout the vacation weekend. Representatives for the Cabot didn’t reply to a request for touch upon Monday.