“The views expressed by Mr. Dreyfuss do not reflect the values of inclusivity and respect that we uphold as an organization,” the venue said in a statement.
On Saturday, May 25, Richard Dreyfuss spoke at The Cabot theater in Beverly, Massachusetts, during an event called “An Evening with Richard Dreyfuss + Jaws Screening.” Attendees were looking forward to enjoying behind-the-scenes stories from the iconic film, but what they got instead were Dreyfuss’ controversial views on trans youth and the Academy Awards’ new inclusivity rules, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
A recent screening and Q&A event with Richard Dreyfuss, star of the iconic film “Jaws,” caused quite a stir when the 76-year-old actor allegedly made sexist and transphobic remarks. The event, titled “An Evening with Richard Dreyfuss + Jaws Screening,” took place at The Cabot theater in Beverly, Massachusetts. While attendees expected to hear behind-the-scenes secrets about the film, they were instead subjected to Dreyfuss’ controversial thoughts on trans youth and the inclusivity rules of the Academy Awards.
Although there is no public transcript of the event, social media posts indicate that Dreyfuss’s comments began with a discussion about Barbra Streisand and quickly escalated from there. Disgruntled audience members walked out during the screening, expressing their disappointment with Dreyfuss’s “racist, homophobic, misogynistic rant” on The Cabot’s Facebook page.
The Cabot, the venue hosting the event, issued a statement apologizing to attendees and expressing their concerns over Dreyfuss’s remarks. They emphasized that his views do not align with the values of inclusivity and respect that they uphold as an organization. The venue acknowledged their oversight in not anticipating the direction of the conversation and expressed regret for the discomfort caused to many patrons. They pledged to engage in dialogue with their patrons and learn from this incident to better fulfill their mission of entertaining, educating, and inspiring the community.
This is not the first time Dreyfuss’s comments have sparked controversy. In 2023, he faced backlash after expressing his disdain for the Academy’s diversity and inclusion requirements for the Oscars. Dreyfuss strongly criticized these requirements, calling them “patronizing” and stating that they made him “vomit.” He defended the freedom of artists and expressed his belief that artistic expression should not be governed by current ideas of morality. Dreyfuss also praised Laurence Olivier’s portrayal of Othello in 1965 as a powerful example of artistic merit.
While some may appreciate Dreyfuss’s candidness, his comments have clearly struck a nerve with others. With controversy surrounding his recent remarks at the “Jaws” event, it remains to be seen how this will impact his public image and future engagements.
