Warner Bros CEO Kevin Tsujihara steps down after sexual misconduct allegations

Kevin Tsujihara:' It is in Warner Bros.’ best interest that I step down as Chairman and CEO.' 

ASAM NEWS

Warner Bros. Chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara has left Warner Bros. amid an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

Days after the Japanese American CEO was given new responsibilities at the company earlier this month, The Hollywood Reporter published a story detailing allegations of sexual misconduct. The article alleged that Tsujihara helped promote the career of actress Charlotte Kirk, with whom he was having a sexual relationship. According to CNBC, Tsujihara was being investigated for allegedly promising acting roles in exchange for sex.

WarnerMedia previously stated that a prior investigation found no evidence of misconduct.

“Through her spokesperson, the actress has publicly denied any impropriety in her casting, and our prior investigation did not find otherwise,” a WarnerMedia rep says in a statement. “Whenever we receive new allegations, it is our standard practice to conduct an appropriate investigation. And that is what we will do here.”

According to CNN, Tsujihara’s lawyer said he had no direct role in the hiring of Kirk. After the article was released, however, Tsujihara apologized for “mistakes in (his) personal life.”

The 54-year old has been with Warner Bros. for over 24 years. He became CEO in 2013 and the chairman a year later.

“Kevin has contributed greatly to the studio’s success over the past 25 years and for that we thank him,” WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey said in a statement Monday. “Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the company’s leadership expectations and could impact the company’s ability to execute going forward.”

Tsujihara also sent his colleagues a memo on Monday telling them he planned to step down. His full letter follows:

Dear Colleagues,

Over the past week and a half, I have been reflecting on how the attention on my past actions might impact the company’s future. After lengthy introspection, and discussions with John Stankey over the past week, we have decided that it is in Warner Bros.’ best interest that I step down as Chairman and CEO 

I love this company and the people that make it so great. I’ve been honored to head this organization and work alongside all of its talented employees over the past 25 years. Together we’ve built this studio into an unequivocal leader in the industry. 

However, it has become clear that my continued leadership could be a distraction and an obstacle to the company’s continued success. The hard work of everyone within our organization is truly admirable, and I won’t let media attention on my past detract from all the great work the team is doing. 

I am overwhelmed and grateful for the outpouring of support I have received from colleagues and industry partners during this difficult time. 

Again, I am so proud of the great work that you do every day to make Warner Bros. the gold standard in our industry. It has been a pleasure to work alongside each and every one of you, and I wish you all the absolute best.

Sincerely,
Kevin

Up until he resigned, Tsujihara was the highest ranking Asian American in charge of a major Hollywood studio. Under his leadership, Warner Bros. helped produce the groundbreaking Crazy Rich Asians motion picture, the first studio-backed film with an all-Asian cast since the Joy Luck Club 25 years ago.

It was Tsujihara's passion and advocacy for the Crazy Rich Asians project that tilted the filmmakers to choose Warner Bros. as its Hollywood partner in 2016. “It’s not coincidental that [Warner Bros. C.E.O.] Kevin Tsujihara is the first Asian American studio boss,” said CRA executive prodcuer Nina Jacobson.

Views From the Edge conributed to this report.

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Warner Bros. exec in hot water in alleged casting couch mess

Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara

One of the highest ranked Asian American movie executives in Hollywood is in hot water because of allegations of a inappropriate casting couch relationship.

WarnerMedia is investigating allegations that its CEO Kevin Tsujihara offered to promote the career of actress Charlotte Kirk with whom he was having a sexual relationship, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

THR's story about the Tsujihara-Kirk relationship that began in 2013, was published Wednesday (March 6) and has rocked the studio responsible for Crazy Rich Asians.

Tsujihara, 54, is the first Asian American to head a major Hollywood studio and has been a leader in the inclusion of minorities in the motion picture industry.

Kirk, who was 21 at the time, was introduced to Tsujihara, who is married, by James Packer, the Australian billionaire and a partner with producer Brett Ratner’s RatPac Entertainment. At the time Packer and Ratner—who was accused by several women of sexual assault in 2017 and has not been active in Hollywood since—were working to close a $450 million financing deal with Warner Bros., reports CNN.

THR published a series of texts that seem to indicate that Tsujihara used his role to introduce the British actress to other Hollywood directors and producers for auditions for various roles for television shows and motion pictures.

Through those connections, Kirk was able to secure roles in 2016's How to Be Single and 2018's Ocean's 8, both of which are Warner Bros. movies but, based on the texts, Tsujihara did not exert pressure or his influence to secure the roles for Kirk.

THR printed a statement from Kirk: "I emphatically deny any inappropriate behaviour on the part of Brett Ratner, James Packer, and Kevin Tsujihara, and I have no claims against any of them. I confirm that I was in a romantic relationship with James Packer in the summer of 2013 and that I was treated with respect by Mr. Packer, and I have no issues with him or claims against him. I further confirm that when the relationship ended I sought the advice of Mr. Tsujihara whom I had been introduced to by Mr. Packer. Mr. Tsujihara never promised me anything. I also confirm that Brett Ratner helped me out of friendship to assist me in getting auditions and trying to help me find an agent, and I have no issues with him or claims against him. I deny that there was any legal settlement or agreement entered into between myself and Brett Ratner in 2016."

“Through her spokesperson, the actress has publicly denied any impropriety in her casting, and our prior investigation did not find otherwise,” said the WarnerMedia spokesperson. “Whenever we receive new allegations, it is our standard practice to conduct an appropriate investigation. And that is what we will do here.”

Tsujihara's attorney, Bert Deixler, added: “Mr. Tsujihara had no direct role in the hiring of this actress.”

While the investigation continues, Tsujihara will remain in his role as Warner Bros. CEO, the WarnerMedia rep said, but the situation may change if additional information is uncovered.

In the current atmosphere of the #MeToo movement spurred by the alleged sexual misconduct by Hollywood power broker Harvey Weinstein, who faces several court dates in New York City. 

SCREEN CAPTURE / CBS

Kevin Tsujihara, (kneeling, 2nd from left) poses with the cast of Crazy Rich Asians.

Tsujihara, recently received the Visionary Leadership Award from the U.S.-China Entertainment Summit sponsored by the Asia Society. He used the podum to advocate for diversity in the entertainment industry. Citing the box office success of U.S.-Chinese co-production “The Meg” and “Crazy Rich Asians,” with its all-Asian cast, he said that “diversity not only feels good; it is good for the bottom line.”

“To maintain our relevance and creative excellence we need to work with new voices to tell new stories, stories that reflect a global perspective, from the faces we see on screen to those writing the scripts and on set, or making the magic happen in the editing room,” said Tsujihara.

He added: “We all must ensure that there is greater inclusion of women, people of color, LGBT+ community, those with disabilities and underrepresented groups both in front of and behind the camera. We know it is right and we know it works.”

Tsujihara, who has served as CEO of Warner Bros. since 2013, saw his role expand this week as part of AT&T's restructuring of WarnerMedia, following an appeals court decision that allowed the go ahead for AT&T's purchase of the company. Tsujihara role expanded under the new ownership, gaining authority over Cartoon Network and Turner Classic Movies. The Holloywood Reporter broke the same day (Wednesday), Tsujihara was on stage with WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey and his direct reports as part of a town hall with the company's employees to discuss the moves. 

At the very least, some of the employees say the allegations demonstrate a serious lapse in judgment and question Tsujihara's leadership. Others interpreted the allegations as painful evidence that the sordid tradition of the Hollywood “casting couch” is real and still alive and well for aspiring actresses.

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