Sean Astin has come forward to say he is standing by his friend Corey Feldman’s claim about a pedophile ring in Hollywood
Goonies actor Sean Astin is standing by his co-star’s claim that there is a Hollywood pedophile ring.
Astin, who co-starred in The Goonies with Corey Feldman in 1985, told Page Six on Thursday: ‘Hopefully this doesn’t play out as a personal tabloid story.’
He said that he hopes that Feldman’s allegations helps spark a real conversation about sexual assault in Hollywood.
‘The fact is, real people all over the country are starting to have a conversation and it can be very distracting if it distills down into some kind of typical story,’ Astin explained.
Just last week, Feldman revealed the identities of two alleged child molesters he claims took advantage of him and other adolescent screen stars years ago.
He claimed that in Hollywood there is a pedophile ring of adults in the industry who he alleges preyed on him and other young actors and actresses.
Feldman claims that he was taken advantage of at least two child molesters, starting as early as the 80’s. He is pictured on Monday, after revealing that he filed a report with the LAPD about the men
Astin, who co-stared in The Goonies with Corey Feldman in 1985, said he is proud of his friend and hopes that Feldman’s bravery will result in actual change
And on Thursday, Astin said that while he is proud of his friend, he does worry that the story won’t make any real change in the industry.
‘My only concern is [it] won’t actually develop into the complex conversation that needs to happen,’ he told the tabloid at the TBS Search Party premier at Public Hotel.
‘And if it doesn’t, and it becomes about quickly pointing fingers and making accusations and the obvious stuff, I think it will be a missed opportunity.’
Astin, who starred in the second season of Stranger Things, first addressed Feldman’s allegations in a statement on Monday.
‘Corey Feldman communicated to me at some point, what some of his experiences were,’ he wrote in the statement.
‘I remember aching for him… Victims of sexual assault are speaking. Their bravery and willingness to subject their lives to scrutiny, of the most painful kind, should be supported… it is time for abusers to be stopped.’
On Monday Feldman revealed he has filed a police report with the LAPD, identifying the men he claims sexually abused him as a child.
Astin, pictured far left on Tuesday and right with Feldman in the Goonies, first addressed his friend’s claim about a pedophile ring on Monday in a statement, saying that Feldman had contacted him about his history with being sexually assaulted in the past
On Monday Feldman revealed he has filed a police report with the LAPD, identifying the men he claims sexually abused him as a child
Feldman said on The Dr Oz Show last Thursday that his former assistant Jon Grissom was the first to take advantage of him in the 1980s, adding that the man still posts photos of him online.
‘This guy on his My Space page and his Facebook page has got pictures of me and Corey Haim,’ Feldman said during the interview.
‘He still taunts it and flaunts it.’
Dr. Oz then revealed that Grissom, who is now living in Mexico, has a long history of criminal behavior.
‘Everything from assault, theft, drugs … in 2001 he was arrested on child molestation charges … he was found guilty in 2003 and served time in prison,’ said an attorney for the program in a video posted to Facebook.
Feldman also named former child talent manager and convicted sex offender Marty Weiss, who had revealed in the past.
Speaking out: Corey Feldman appeared on ‘The Dr. Oz Show’ last Thursday (above) to discuss the Hollywood pedophile ring he claims preyed on him and other young stars
Feldman started naming names following an appearance on ‘The Dr. Oz Show’ Thursday to discuss an alleged Hollywood pedophile ring (Pictured: Feldman and Grissom, 1988)
Feldman also named his former assistant and actor Jon Grissom (pictured) as his alleged abuser following an interview with Dr. Oz
The actor has told multiple media outlets last week that he reported members of a supposed Hollywood pedophile ring back in 1993 with the Santa Barbara Police Department.
That claim was disputed however by police and Dr. Oz confronted Feldman with this information.
‘I called the Santa Barbara Police, just got off the phone with them. As you were speaking I was speaking. You claim that you spoke to them about your abuse in 1993 just to be clear,’ said Dr. Oz.
Feldman then interrupts him to state: ‘It’s on the record.’
Dr Oz continued: ‘And you named names. I listened to the recording and I did not hear you name names.’
Feldman responded by claiming that police turned off the recording device when he shared the identity of his molesters, which Dr. Oz accepts as true.
He then pleaded with Feldman to reach out to authorities again, at which point the actor makes the decision to call the Los Angeles Police Department and name the two men who allegedly assaulted him and other minors.
It was during this call that Feldman revealed Grissom is allegedly still posting photos of him and Haim on his social media accounts.
Dr. Oz also read a statement from police disputing Feldman’s claim during the interview.
‘We are aware of the statements that Mr. Feldman is making regarding an investigation in 1993. Our records do not indicate that he named any suspects,’ stated Dr. Oz, reading from the official statement he was given by a spokesperson from the Santa Barbara Police Department.