It’s been ten days since The Hollywood Reporter published ‘Everyone does not know that he is absolute Monster,” a lengthy report focused on the alleged abusive work environment created by Hollywood super producer (and EGOT winner) Scott Rudin. The piece contains the status of Rudin as a kind of apex bully in the LA ecosystem, a tyrant who likes to work physical abuse (mostly throwing things at or near subordinates) in a regime from emotional abuse that can range from verbal belittling to a regular use of firing people and then re-employing when his temper has cooled. Collect anecdotes over decades of Rudin’s history in business (just like this recent Vulture piece) the THR report set out the form of a man who would probably appear as a captivating character in a movie – but who in the real world was just another abuser, albeit a very powerful and financially successful one.
Now, however, it appears that Rudin is facing some consequences for his behavior Variety reporting that the producer apologized and offered to retire from his various Broadway productions. This comes after increasing criticism of his business practices, including by Karen Olivo, the Tony nominated star who said she would not return to Broadway production of Moulin Rouge! (who, to be clear, is not involved with Rudin) due to aversion to supporting the industry for Rudin and people like him.
Rudin gives his cooked plate statement to The Washington Post, who also notes that he is apparently considering anger management classes, which will certainly be a relief for the many assistants and subordinates he believes beaten over the years. Anyway, here’s the statement:
Much has been written about my history of disturbing interactions with colleagues, and I am very sorry for the pain my behavior has caused directly and indirectly to individuals. After a period of reflection, I decided to retire from active participation in our Broadway productions, effective immediately. My roles will be filled by others from the Broadway community, and in a number of cases, from the roster of contestants already featured on those shows. My passionate hope and expectation is that Broadway will soon reopen successfully, and that the many talented artists associated with it will begin to flourish again and share their artistry with the world. I do not want any controversy related to me to interrupt the well-deserved return of Broadway, or specifically the return of the 1500 people working on these shows.