Roy Price’s road of drinking and sexual harassment

Disgraced Amazon studio head Roy Price allegedly had a long history of horrid behavior before his eventual resignation from the company over sexual harassment claims.

Interviews with current and former executives, as well as with producers who have worked with Amazon Studios, revealed that Price allegedly appeared intoxicated at several professional functions – with Amazon executives having to help him into a cab on one occasion.

In addition to suggesting to producer Isa Hackett that they have an affair to help promote her series, on two occasions, he made actresses so uncomfortable with his advances that colleagues had to move them away from him, said people who witnessed the events.

Several people told The Wall Street Journal that the company gives divisions a great deal of autonomy to maintain an innovative start-up culture. It may explain why the Seattle giant let those issues build for so long.

In light of allegations that Roy Price allegedly sexual harassed a female producer, many are wondering how he got away with his string of horrid behavior for so long

Price allegedly appeared intoxicated at several professional functions and on two occasions made actresses so uncomfortable with his advances that colleagues had to move them away from him, said people who witnessed the events

Price allegedly appeared intoxicated at several professional functions and on two occasions made actresses so uncomfortable with his advances that colleagues had to move them away from him, said people who witnessed the events

Price (left and right) allegedly appeared intoxicated at several professional functions and on two occasions made actresses so uncomfortable with his advances that colleagues had to move them away from him, said people who witnessed the events

Producer Isa Hackett went public on October 12 of this year with her allegations that Price sexually harassed her in 2015.

She brought the matter to the attention of the company at the time, Amazon conducted an investigation but didn’t appear to seriously discipline Price, people who worked with him at the time said.

When Hackett’s story broke in The Hollywood Reporter, Amazon placed 51-year-old Price on leave that day. The next week, he resigned.

Senior Vice President Jeffrey Blackburn, Price’s boss wrote that wrote that ‘Roy’s resignation followed new information that surfaced last week’.

He added that ‘we will use these events as an opportunity to review our sexual harassment policy and processes to ensure they are doing their job to provide a harassment-free workplace. And if they are not, we will make the necessary changes.’

Just one week prior to Price resigning, Blackburn said at a conference that the company had a ‘fantastic team’ in Hollywood.

Two weeks later, at a visit to Amazon Studio, Blackburn said: ‘We have to do better,’ according to a person present. 

Blackburn was aware of the 2015 investigation into Price’s conduct, a person with knowledge of the probe told the Journal.

Producer Isa Hackett (pictured, April 2017) went public on October 12 of this year with her allegations that Price sexually harassed her in 2015

Producer Isa Hackett (pictured, April 2017) went public on October 12 of this year with her allegations that Price sexually harassed her in 2015

He also reportedly made actresses, Yara Martinez (pictured) and Anna Friel, in 2013 and 2016 respectively, so uncomfortable with his advances that colleagues had to move them away from him, said people who witnessed the events

He also reportedly made actresses, Yara Martinez and Anna Friel (pictured), in 2013 and 2016 respectively, so uncomfortable with his advances that colleagues had to move them away from him, said people who witnessed the events

He also reportedly made actresses, Yara Martinez (left) and Anna Friel (right), in 2013 and 2016 respectively, so uncomfortable with his advances that colleagues had to move them away from him, said people who witnessed the events

Price joined Amazon in 2004 and oversaw the company’s video-on-demand service from its Seattle headquarters. When the company expanded into original movie and TV production, Price moved to Southern California.

Some former executives say Price’s troubling behavior – heavy drinking and inappropriate remarks – became apparent once he began spending more time in Hollywood and New York.

On two occasions, he made actresses so uncomfortable with his advances that colleagues had to move them away from him, said people who witnessed the events. Once was in 2013 when he pursued actress Yara Martinez and at last year’s Edinburgh Televsion Festival, when he pursued actress Anna Friel.

At another party in 2013, he appeared inebriated and allegedly told a group of executives he was looking for a young actress to sleep with that night. 

Price’s harassment of Isa Hackett also occurred at a dinner – in July 2015. After being introduced to her, he allegedly suggested they ‘have an affair’ to help promote her series and bragged about his sexual prowess, such as telling her ‘You will love my d**k’.

The morning after the incident, Hackett complained to two senior Amazon Studios programming executives,one of the people familiar with the episode told the Journal. This past summer, she was told Price was ‘counseled’ but she did not received spcifics about any reprimands.

The same week that Hackett went public, actress Rose McGowan (pictured, right, with Price) criticized Price on Twitter for his ties to Harvey Weinstein

The same week that Hackett went public, actress Rose McGowan (pictured, right, with Price) criticized Price on Twitter for his ties to Harvey Weinstein

Weinstein (pictured, right, with Prince in June 2017)  has been accused by 60 women of sexual harassment or assault

Weinstein (pictured, right, with Prince in June 2017) has been accused by 60 women of sexual harassment or assault

McGowan claimed she told Price that she has been raped by Weinstein and that Price killed her TV show when she demanded the shamed movie mogul not be involved 

McGowan claimed she told Price that she has been raped by Weinstein and that Price killed her TV show when she demanded the shamed movie mogul not be involved 

Following the reports, Price’s fiancée, Lila Feinberg, called off their wedding. The pair was set to marry on November 12 in a lavish ceremony at The Carlyle on Madison Avenue in New York.

The same week that Hackett went public, actress Rose McGowan criticized Price on Twitter for his ties to Harvey Weinstein, who has been accused by 60 women of sexual harassment or assault.

McGowan claimed she told Price that she has been raped by Weinstein and that Price killed her TV show when she demanded the shamed movie mogul not be involved.

In the wake of Price’s departure, Amazon has made changes in the studio’s leadership and specifically promoted a lot of women to lead roles in the television division. 

‘They’re cleaning house,’ said a person close to the company. ‘They got rid of all the people who were perceived to be close to Roy.’

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk