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Rita Wilson Opens Up About How Scott Rudin Made Her Feel 'Worthless' After Her Breast Cancer Diagnosis
Over the past few weeks, harrowing allegations of abuse have come to light from former interns and assistants of Hollywood and Broadway mega-producer Scott Rudin.
Now, a household name is joining the list of those coming forward. Actress Rita Wilson went on the record about the way Rudin made her feel "worthless" and tried to fire her following her diagnosis with breast cancer in 2015.
Wilson revealed her experience in a New York Times article this past weekend.
Wilson worked with Rudin on the Broadway play Fish in the Dark in 2015. She learned of her cancer diagnosis during its run.
Wilson told the Times Rudin's response to her diagnosis was to express dismay she would need time off during Tony Awards voting season. He demanded to see her medical records.
Wilson also described an incident in which, as she was about to go onstage, she received a phone call from her agent saying Rudin was demanding Wilson's surgeon call the production's insurance adjuster immediately.
Wilson said she felt like Rudin's actions belied an ulterior motive.
"I felt like he was trying to find a way to fire me legally."
And she described the way Rudin made her feel in harrowing terms.
"He is the kind of person who makes someone feel worthless, unvaluable and replaceable."
Rudin, via a spokesman, denied Wilson's account.
Wilson joins several high-profile luminaries in film and theater who have spoken out against Rudin in recent weeks, including Pulitzer-winning playwright Adam Rapp, financier David Geffen, South Park and Book of Mormon co-creator Matt Stone and author Michael Chabon.
Wilson's comments come on the heels of two sweeping exposés in The Hollywood Reporter and Vulture of Rudin's alleged workplace misconduct, including racism, misogyny, verbal abuse and throwing objects at employees. Among the revelations were an assistant so badly injured by Rudin hurling a computer at him he had to go to the hospital, and another who developed severe PTSD and eventually committed suicide.
On Twitter, Wilson's experience only intensified the scrutiny and anger towards Rudin.
Long considered one of the most powerful men in entertainment on both coasts, Rudin has produced Oscar-winning films including The Social Network and No Country for Old Men. He also producedTony-winning Broadway shows like The Book of Mormon and Aaron Sorkin's adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird.