A Memorial Day weekend event showcasing ‘Jaws’ was definitely memorable, but for all the wrong reasons.
‘Jaws’ Actor Richard Dreyfuss not only showed up at an event in Beverly, Massachusetts, wearing a dress, he went on a rant about women, LGBTQ+ people and diversity, the Associated Press reported.
Saturday’s event was held at The Cabot, a venue in Massachusetts, the state where the blockbuster movie was shot.
Dreyfuss, 76, walked on stage wearing a blue, floral-patterned dress, that was replaced with a sport coat. Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” was played as he walked on stage.
What followed was supposed to be a question-and-answer session, but some audience members found Dreyfuss’s words regarding women in film and the #MeToo movement, transgender youths and LGBTQ+ rights, and the Academy Awards’ efforts to foster inclusivity too offensive.
Dreyfuss has previously commented on the academy’s diversity efforts, saying they “make me want to vomit.”
The Cabot apologized for Dreyfuss’ comments and said it does not endorse his opinions expressed at the event.
“We deeply regret that Mr. Dreyfuss’s comments during the event were not in line with the values of inclusivity and respect that we uphold at The Cabot. We understand that his remarks were distressing and offensive to many of our community members, and for that, we sincerely apologize,” The Cabot’s statement said.
Not all of Dreyfuss’ words were rejected. The audience applauded when he referenced his book, “One Thought Scares Me…,” at the end of the event.
The actor decried that civics is no longer being taught.
Not having civics as a foundation in education 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.”
