More details about allegations of sexual misconduct against actor Geoffrey Rush are emerging.
The Associated Press reports the specific allegations were part of court documents submitted to an Australian court by Sydney-based newspaper The Daily Telegraph, who Rush is suing for defamation over their reporting on the story.
RELATED: Geoffrey Rush Sues Australian Newspaper Over ‘Inappropriate Behaviour’ Claims
The 66-year-old actor argues the Telegraph’s articles, which allege inappropriate behaviour during a 2015 production of “King Lear” by the Sydney Theatre Company, portray him as a sexual predator and a pervert.
Documents provided by the newspaper shed light on the allegations made by actress Eryn Jean Norvill, who played Cordelia in the production.
Norvill says that on five separate occasions during the final week of performances, Rush touched her inappropriately during a scene in which he carried her lifeless body on-stage.
The actress claimed the touching was unscripted, and that she told Rush to stop after the first incident. She also said that during a party at a restaurant for the final performance, Rush followed her into the women’s restroom and stood outside the toilet stall until she swore at him to get out.
Rush’s attorney told the court that the allegations against him were vague. The Telegraph is set to argue the actor’s behaviour was serious enough that the theatre company decided they would no longer work with him.
