Richard Dreyfuss’ controversial remarks at a “Jaws” screening in Massachusetts on Saturday have prompted the venue that hosted the event to apologize about the Oscar winner’s “distressing and offensive” observations. The “American Graffiti” and “Close Encounters of the Third Kind” star, who appeared onstage wearing a floral-patterned dress, allegedly made transphobic remarks and put down women, the #MeToo movement and inclusivity during the discussion, according to the Associated Press . Dreyfuss’ words at the film screening — billed as “An Evening With Richard Dreyfuss + ‘Jaws’ Screening” at the Cabot — resulted in some attendees walking out at the Beverly, Mass.
, theater. In a YouTube video that appears to be from the event, Dreyfuss dances onto the stage wearing a dress over his button-up shirt while Taylor Swift’s “Love Story” plays. Two stagehands appear and remove the dress as Dreyfuss mimics a striptease before putting on a blazer and taking his seat ahead of the screening.
It’s unclear why the actor made such an entrance; representatives for Dreyfuss could not immediately be reached Monday by The Times. While footage of Dreyfuss’ full remarks has yet to emerge, many took to social media to air their grievances with the 76-year-old actor. NBC 10 Boston reported that audience members said their tickets cost about $300 apiece.
The news station also reported that one attendee was disgusted when Dreyfuss delivered “a hate-fille.
