Jeff Garlin Has Reportedly Parted Ways With "The Goldbergs" After Allegations Of On-Set Inappropriate Behavior
After nine seasons, Jeff Garlin is leaving The Goldbergs.
People confirmed the news, which comes after reports of Garlin's inappropriate behavior on set as well as Garlin's own admission that the studio's HR department had been investigating him for three years.
According to Deadline, sources told the publication that the actor was "extremely verbally and emotionally abusive,” with alleged misbehavior ranging from an excess of jokes around the word "vagina" to referring to female-identifying crew members by inappropriate nicknames.
In a recent and wide-ranging interview with Vanity Fair about the allegations, Garlin claimed that his behavior was "silly" but didn't do anyone any harm.
"I'm on a comedy show," he said. "I am always a kind and thoughtful person. I make mistakes, sure. But my comedy is about easing people's pain. Why would I ever want to cause pain in anybody for a laugh? That's bullying. That's just uncalled for."
When asked to address allegations of unwanted hugging on set, Garlin said, "I gotta be honest with you. I am a person who hugs for sure. And it's quick hugs...if you want to write that story, that's a true story. It puts the onus on them to say something, and I would gladly respect anyone who said, 'Please don't hug me. I don't feel comfortable.'"
Garlin also claimed that he "didn't write" a text to a co-worker suggesting she show up to work "wearing only panties." "But everything that I write like that is about joking," he added. "I am respectful of women and women's bodies. And I don't make jokes about that, because I don't find it funny."
When asked at the time of the interview if he was fired from the show, Garlin replied, "We're trying to come to a place where we come to an agreement. Either I can behave the way [they want] or not. We'll see, but I'm not being fired and I've not been fired. We're in the middle of talking about what we're going to do, but there will not be a firing."
