Brendan Fraser asks former head of Golden Globes who groped him to step down from group

Brendan Fraser is hitting out at the Hollywood Foreign Press after they claim an investigation found no proof that he was groped by the group’s former president.

The actor revealed in an interview with GQ earlier this year that he had been touched inappropriately by Philip Burke, speaking about the long-rumored incident for the very first time.  

In response, the group who hosts the annual Golden Globe Awards declared they were launching an independent investigation, and Fraser said that he was indeed contacted by an investigator who he met and spoke with in April.

The actor was shocked however when he was approached at the end of that investigation and asked to sign a statement that read: ‘Although it was concluded that Mr. Berk inappropriately touched Mr. Fraser, the evidence supports that it was intended to be taken as a joke and not as a sexual advance. All parties consider this matter to be concluded.’

Fraser refused, explaining: ‘I don’t get the joke.’

As for Burke’s claim that it was all a joke, Fraser said: ‘I’m the only one who would know where I was touched on my body.’

Sexual assault: Brendan Fraser gave an update on the investigation launched by the Hollywood Foreign Press into his allegation Philip Berk groped him in 2003 (Fraser above at the 2003 luncheon where he claimed to be groped)

Accused: Berk (above in 2010) apologized at the time but then denied Fraser's allegations to the New York Times in 2005 before admitting he pinched Fraser's butt in his 2014 memoir

Accused: Berk (above in 2010) apologized at the time but then denied Fraser’s allegations to the New York Times in 2005 before admitting he pinched Fraser’s butt in his 2014 memoir

GQ reached out tot he HFPA with no luck, but Burke did respond to a few questions, revealing he was still a member in good standing with the group and faced absolutely no discipline.

He also seemed to confirm Fraser’s claim about the proposed statement.

‘I myself was not shown either report,’ said Berk. 

‘But [I was] told the statement would absolve me of any wrongdoing.’

The HFPA also refused to show Fraser the results of the investigation, despite the fact that it was launched over his allegation. 

‘They’re kind of behaving like wolves in sheep’s clothing about it, saying, “Oh, we want him to heal.” Well, the first step in that direction would be: What am I healing from? Can I please see this report? What is it?’ said Fraser. 

‘They commissioned an investigation. They received their report. And they’re not giving any details about it, and they’re not giving up the report itself.’

Fraser (above at the 98 Globes with Jolie) revealed that the group asked him to sign a joint statement with Berk saying it was a 'joke'

Fraser (above at the 98 Globes with Jolie) revealed that the group asked him to sign a joint statement with Berk saying it was a ‘joke’

Fraser has never been nominated for a Golden Globe and only one of his films, Gods and Monsters, has been nominated for Best Picture.

The group did not nominate his 2005 film Crash for the top prize, which was released two years after the alleged groping incident.

It was the first time since 1981 that the Best Picture winner at the Academy Awards did not receive a Golden Globe nomination.

Fraser was both angry and emotional when he shared his story in February, making him one of the few men who had been brave enough to share allegations of sexual misconduct.

He said that ex-Hollywood Foreign Press Association head Philip Berk grabbed his buttocks and then rubbed him after they shook hands at a 2003 luncheon held by the organisation at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

‘His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. And he starts moving it around,’ said Fraser. 

Berk called the account is a ‘total fabrication,’ and has repeatedly claimed he was pinching Fraser’s buttocks in jest as a response to gossip item at the time. 

‘I felt ill. I felt like a little kid. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. I thought I was going to cry,’ said Fraser.

The HFPA responded by saying it would investigate the allegation and that the group ‘stands firmly’ against sexual harassment.

‘Over the years we’ve continued a positive working relationship with Brendan, which includes announcing Golden Globe nominees, attending the ceremony and participating in press conferences,’ said the group in its statement.

‘This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.’ 

Gods and Monsters

Crash

Resume: ‘I don’t get the joke,’ said Fraser, whose films have been ignored by the HFPA, with Crash failing to get a Best Picture nomination despite winning the Oscar (Gods and Monsters left, the one film Fraser did that reveivced a Best Picture nomination, Crash on right which did not)

Retribution: Berk said he has suffered no punishment or been asked to leave the group in the wake of Fraser's claim, leading the actor to ask him to step down (Fraser above on Wednesday)

Retribution: Berk said he has suffered no punishment or been asked to leave the group in the wake of Fraser’s claim, leading the actor to ask him to step down (Fraser above on Wednesday)

It was said that Berk wrote an apology to Fraser after the actor’s representatives contacted the HFPA.

GQ quoted Berk as saying: ‘My apology admitted no wrongdoing, the usual “If I’ve done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended and I apologize.”‘

Berk discussed the incident in his 2014 memoir, again claiming he pinched Fraser’s behind in jest.

The incident was also reported by The New York Times in 2005, with Berk outright denying that he grabbed Fraser’s buttocks in that article. 

Fraser is now calling for Berk to step down from the group.

‘I wanted them to have every opportunity to change this,’ he said.

‘I think I’m just the first brick in the path. Maybe someone else will put another brick down and the path will continue on. I don’t know.’

He then added: ‘It’s not too late. They can still do the right thing.’ 

The HFPA released a statement the day after GQ ran their updated story.

‘The HFPA continues to stand firmly against sexual harassment. As such, we have always taken Brendan Fraser’s allegations very seriously – both when he originally spoke out in 2003 and now again 15 years later, it read.

‘Back then, after an initial inquiry, we provided Mr. Fraser with the exact redress he sought – an acknowledgement of the transgression and an apology. Mr. Fraser continued to attend HFPA events including the Golden Globes. 

‘When Mr. Fraser raised the allegations again this year in the March issue of GQ, adding several previously unknown details, we conducted an internal review and then took it upon ourselves to commission an independent investigation into the matter to ensure impartiality. 

‘We’ve shared the results of that investigation with Mr. Fraser, and again apologized, but also conveyed our need to abide by the investigation’s finding that the exchange was not an intended sexual advance. We want to reiterate that the HFPA understands today – as it did 15 years ago – that what Mr. Fraser experienced was inappropriate.’ 



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