Jeffrey Tambor Exits ‘Transparent’ After Sexual Harassment Allegations

Facing two accusations of sexual harassment by members of the Transparent team that he has strongly denied, Jeffrey Tambor has decided not to return to the Amazon series.

“Playing Maura Pfefferman on Transparent has been one of the greatest privileges and creative experiences of my life,” the Emmy winning actor told Deadline on Sunday. “What has become clear over the past weeks, however, is that this is no longer the job I signed up for four years ago,” Tambor added of his role as the lead on the Jill Soloway created show.

“I’ve already made clear my deep regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being aggressive, but the idea that I would deliberately harass anyone is simply and utterly untrue,” Tambor asserted as well. “Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don’t see how I can return to Transparent.”

Jeffrey Tambor as Maura Pfefferman

While a stunner on one level, this move by Golden Globe winner Tambor comes as the show itself was seemingly gearing up to shuffle him off the show.

Since the first allegation against Tambor was made by his former assistant and transgender actress Van Barnes earlier this month, there have been discussions about writing the actor’s transgender Maura character out of the show for the upcoming fifth season. With a tiny bit of wiggle room for what may be legal reasons, it seems that Jeffrey Tambor just made those talks a reality for the writers’ room.

Even before the first claims, Tambor’s option for a Season 5 had not actually been picked up, sources tell Deadline. Amazon is currently investigating both allegations and has been speaking to Soloway, members of the production and Tambor. During a panel in Hollywood, Soloway said she was “not able to say anything at all” about the accusations because of the on-going investigation.

This stunning shift by Tambor comes after transgender Transparent semi-regular Trace Lysette alleged on November 16 that the actor made lewd, sexual and unwelcomed remarks to her repeatedly while they worked together. The Blunt Talk actress also said that Tambor got “physical” with her on at least one occasion.

Trace Lysette

Lysette alleges that, while filming the second season of Transparent, Tambor made sexually explicit comments to her. She says that during the filming the show’s viral “Yaaass queen!” moment, Tambor saw her in lingerie outfit for the scene and said, “My God, Trace. I want to attack you sexually.” Actress Alexandra Billings, who was also in the scene confirmed she heard Tambor make the remark

Minutes later, Lysette says that Tambor approached her and assaulted her. “He came in close, put his bare feet on top of mine so I could not move, leaned his body against me, and began quick, discreet thrust back and forth against my body. I felt his penis on my hip through his thin pajamas,” Lysette told the Hollywood Reporter. Lysette said no one noticed the interaction.

In clear reference to Tambor, Lysette recommended that Amazon and Soloway “remove the problem and let the show go on.”

Saying he was “deeply sorry if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being sexually aggressive,” Tambor also responded to the claims:  “I know I haven’t always been the easiest person to work with. I can be volatile and ill-tempered, and too often I express my opinions harshly and without tact. But I have never been a predator – ever.”

Tracy is the second person from the Transparent production to allege inappropriate conduct against Tambor. Earlier in November, transgender actress Van Barnes made sexual harassment allegations against Tambor in a private Facebook post, as well.

According to the Reporter, the Facebook post alleges that Tambor made sexual advances on Barnes, telling her that it would help her career. Barnes has made no public statements about the post since it leaked outside of her private page.