And today in the Mommie Dearest files…
A former assistant has smacked Oscar-winning actress Faye Dunaway with a lawsuit charging her with harassment.
Michael Rocha, who served Dunaway during rehearsals for the Broadway-bound Tea At Five, alleges that Dunaway subjected him to “abusive demeaning tirades” on a regular basis. He also says she attacked him for his sexual orientation, often referring to him as a “little homosexual boy.” According to Rocha, the phrase was common and not only directed at him, as Dunaway often referred to “little gay people.” He also claims he has recordings that confirm his allegations.
Related: Faye Dunaway fired from Broadway-bound show for slapping crew
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Rocha says Dunaway fired him after reporting her behavior to the general manager of the play. Dunaway herself received her walking papers last month after allegations of violent and erratic behavior, as well as the inability to learn her lines. Producers scrapped the Broadway opening of Tea at Five, opting instead to move the show to London and cast a new leading actress.
Dunaway has yet to comment on the matter.
Cam
If he can substantiate that he has recordings, that he reported her, and that he was fired AFTER he reported her, he will win big. America doesn’t have a huge amount of worker protections compared to other countries, but one thing that is a huge no no in the courts is retaliation.
Matthewnow
I’m not one of your FFAANNSS!!
jsmu
Faye is done. Hope this semi-ruins her (she’s too rich to be completely ruined–the SLURANDON problem); this toxic c*ntitude will be the last and only memory most people have of her. GOOD.
justyouandi
She drives a Prius.
rustyiam
Id love to be called that by Miss Faye Dunaway! LOL
Bob LaBlah
The producers and anyone else dumb enough to back anything involving her got exactly what they asked for. Faye has a documented history of being difficult to work with and Betty Davis is on youtube complaining about how unprofessional she was to work with (and it had nothing to do with her playing Joan Crawford).
Stephen
Saw her touring our city in Vancouver. Masterclass. Great show.
Cut her some slack. Vitriolic haters!
She’s senior, struggling to remember lines.
Fearing her limitations you would be in fear in her position. Be civil!
She’s responsible for her behaviour and I have hear from Bette Davis youtube Divas on Divas, she creates “ drama that’s very unprofessional.. Most unprofessional!”
OK, so abusive behaviour can be understood. Not excused. Fear based.
It’s OK to be afraid, when you are verbally or physically abused by someone.
I know it’s illegal
She may have to live with being unemployed and labelled difficult for life.
Not broke financially but burnt her bridges. I am sorry for that.
Artists are artists for life.
My losing that choice due to a back injury has been awful. I can’t act from a wheelchair. I can but they aren’t hiring me! Perhaps a union job on a TV or film?
Very sad to watch a career go up upon smoke for anyone.
For the people who feel exhausted working with her, my sympathy.
You deserve better. And your day in court hopefully will vindicate your suffering.
Let’s get one thing clear, I leave abusive employers. 5 to date.
I warn them. If it continues I report them. Then after reported, if no change, I quit.
Don’t accept poor excuses for bad behaviour.
Just work to get out clearly and support your case before you go.
But GET OUT! Stand up for your worth! You are worth it.
When we start saying no … we start demanding professional respect.
And beating up on mature actors for any reason is not justified.
Who asked for your derogatory opinion?
Do you have any facts beyond the article? I don’t.
So let’s behave a little less like hyenas at the backyard bbq capture of a gazelle.
It’s cruel & bad karma. Be a human being. I am not excusing her conduct.
We are all trying to be professional with bosses, CEO’s, Artists, Athletes, etc.
Humiliation of another human being up or down the food chain is unacceptable.
I hope she meets her consequences with some civility.
Complex emotionally … she was great to meet and enjoy a meal with.
Sadly her run with acting could be over.
#metoo expanded to abuse of every type.
Great show. Look forward to Katherine Hepburn being played by another Actor. Kate Mulgrew. Janeway, Captain of Voyager, does a fantastic Kate Hepburn impersonation. Amazing pitch, tone and vibrato. 5 star choice!
A younger Zoe Caldwell would have burned up the stage! Multiple Tony Awards!
Kangol2
Did you intentionally write your comment in the form of a poem, or did it just turn out like that by accident?
batesmotel
I’m surprised the producers hired her to begin with. It’s pretty known in the entertainment business that she has a history of abuse and unprofessionalism. It’s why she doesn’t get much work anymore. They must’ve been desperate to hire her. Hopefully they learned their lesson.
Kangol2
Sounds like Faye Runaway forgot that “Mommy Dearest” was an acting role and took it as a pointer for how she should behave. Maybe the lawsuit(s) will help her to snap out of her delusion.
Aidanf
Better actress than Streep.
inbama
Who knew Donald Trump followed Queerty?