Warner Bros. studio head Kevin Tsujihara steps down amidst sexual impropriety scandal
Variety reports that Kevin Tsujihara, the chairman-CEO of Warner Bros., has resigned following an investigation into his relationship with actress Charlotte Kirk, which was the focus of a recent exposé in The Hollywood Reporter. It is alleged that Tsujihara, who is married, began an affair with the actress in 2013 and used his status to help secure her roles in Warner Bros. projects. Disgraced director Brett Ratner and asshole producer Avi Lerner are also wrapped up in the scandal.
“It is in the best interest of WarnerMedia, Warner Bros., our employees and our partners for Kevin to step down as Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros.,” said WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey on Monday, adding that an interim leadership team would be announced on Tuesday. “Kevin has contributed greatly to the studio’s success over the past 25 years and for that we thank him. Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the company’s leadership expectations and could impact the Company’s ability to execute going forward.”
“[I]t has become clear that my continued leadership could be a distraction and an obstacle to the company’s continued success,” Tsujihara, who was made head of the studio in 2013, said in a statement. “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.”
Kirk appeared in Warner Bros. projects How To Be Single and Ocean’s 8, though Tsujihara’s lawyer said his client “had no direct role in the hiring of this actress.” An outside law firm is continuing with its investigation into these claims.