Summary: A costumer claims Fred Savage mistreated her on the set of “The Grinder.”
On Wednesday, a costumer said that actor Fred Savage had harassed her when she worked on the set of the TV show, “The Grinder,” in 2015. She filed a lawsuit against him, and he denied her allegations.
“None of her claims could be substantiated because they did not happen,” Savage said to the Hollywood Reporter. “While none of the accusations being leveled at me are true, I wholeheartedly support all people who feel they are being mistreated come forward and speak to human resources and those in charge.”
Represented by the Cochran Law Firm, Youngjoo Hwang filed her lawsuit on Wednesday. She said that she was verbally harassed on the set of “The Grinder” in 2015 and that Savage created a hostile work environment, which the studio knew about but did nothing to stop.
Hwang said that Savage was also mean to female crew members and had a reputation for it.
Hwang is represented by attorney Anahita Sedaghatfar, and the two held a press conference on Wednesday where Hwang spoke about her alleged mistreatment. She said that it was her job to make sure that Savage’s clothing looked good on camera, and she revealed that she once dusted his dandruff off of his suit and that Savage yelled at her to not touch him. Hwang said he then struck her three times.
“She went over to him to brush dandruff off his jacket, and he immediately yelled at her, ‘Get the f–k away from me,’ and ‘Don’t f—ing touch me,’ something to that effect, and then violently struck her arm three times,” Sedaghatfar told the Daily News.
Hwang said that she reported Savage to the executive producer and to the studio, 20th Century Fox Television, but that her complaint was swept under the rug.
Hwang is suing for assault, battery, discrimination and gender harassment; and she is seeking damages for emotional distress. She is asking for a trial.
At the press conference, Hwang said that she was inspired by the #MeToo movement to come forward and file a complaint against Savage.
This is not the first time that a crew member has accused Savage of mistreating women. One of his costars revealed earlier this year that Savage’s fame-making show “The Wonder Years” was canceled because he had tormented a woman on set and she had filed a sexual harassment lawsuit. Savage also denied those allegations.
Savage and 20th Century Fox Television said that Hwang’s complaint was investigated years ago and found to have no merit.
“Fox takes all allegations of improper conduct very seriously. We conducted a thorough investigation into these allegations and found no evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Savage. We will vigorously defend against these unfounded claims,” Fox said.
Hwang’s attorney said that Fox did not conduct an independent investigation into the matter. She stated that any woman with knowledge of Savage’s behavior contact her or her firm.
- “Wonder Years” Mom Said Show Was Cancelled Because of Harassment Claim Against Fred Savage
- Where Did the Legal Shows Go?