Richard Dreyfuss’ comments about women, LGBTQ+ people and diversity prompt local apology

BEVERLY, Mass. Actor Richard Dreyfuss appeared in a dress at a “Jaws”-themed event in Massachusetts, where the 1975 blockbuster film he starred in was filmed, and later made demeaning comments about women, LGBTQ+ people and diversity.

The venue, The Cabot in the Beverly community, issued an apology following Saturday’s event.

The 76-year-old actor, who played a marine biologist in the film, took to the stage wearing a blue floral-print dress that stage workers helped him take off before changing into a sport coat.

During what was supposed to be a light-hearted question-and-answer session, some in the audience abandoned their comments about women in film and the #MeToo movement, transgender youth and LGBTQ+ rights, and the Oscars’ efforts to promote inclusivity. . Dreyfuss has previously said that the academy’s diversity efforts “make me want to vomit.”

Dreyfuss received applause when he ended the discussion by referencing his book, “One Thought Scares Me…” and his opinion that civic education is no longer taught in classrooms, to the detriment of the country. The lack of a civic base means “we have no knowledge of who the hell we are,” he said. “If we don’t get him back soon, we will all die.”

The Cabot sent an email apologizing saying he did not endorse the views of the actor, who also starred in “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “American Graffiti” and “The Goodbye Girl,” a performance for which he received an Oscar. The venue’s executive director did not immediately respond to emails Tuesday, and a representative for Dreyfuss could not be reached.

“We deeply regret that Mr. Dreyfuss’s comments during the event were not aligned with the values ​​of inclusion and respect that we espouse at The Cabot. We understand that his remarks were distressing and offensive to many of our community members, and for that we sincerely apologize,” The Cabot’s statement said.