Scott Rudin Fallout grows to producer with emotional video message

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Outrage surrounding producer Scott Rudin intensified over the weekend, with Broadway star Sutton Foster speaking out as the twin brother of a late former Rudin assistant posted an emotional video message claiming his brother was traumatized by his experience with the producer.

Both statements follow Rudin’s announcement on Saturday that he is “stepping back” from Broadway. In a statement to the Washington Post, Rudin wrote, “Much has been written about my history of troubling interactions with colleagues, and I deeply regret the pain my behavior caused directly and indirectly to individuals.”

In a live conversation on Instagram with performer and personal trainer Beth Nicely on Sunday, Foster, who co-stars with Hugh Jackman, spoke in a Rudin-produced revival of “The Music Man.”

“It’s a really unfortunate situation, but the only positive outcome is the one that comes up, and I know Hugh [Jackman] feels exactly the same, ‘said Foster, referring to her’ Music Man ‘co-star.

Also on Sunday, the twin brother of a former Rudin assistant called the producer in an emotional video on Twitter, demanding “real consequences” from the entertainment industry for Rudin’s alleged behavior. The combination of Foster’s statement and David Graham-Caso’s emotional video will put pressure on mainstream Hollywood companies to cut ties with one of the most prolific producers in film, TV and theater.

Graham-Caso, who is deputy chief of staff and communications director for LA Councilman Mike Bonin, said his brother, Kevin Blake Graham-Caso, was “ horribly abused ” while working for Rudin in 2008 and 2009. Kevin Blake Graham-Caso died in October 2020, according to a death certificate reviewed by Variety.

“The motivation was accountability,” said Graham-Caso Variety about his decision to post the message. Scott Rudin’s gruesome abuse of assistants has been an open secret in Broadway and Hollywood circles for decades. I wanted to make this video to make sure that he not only understood, but that the people who turned him on for years understand. I wanted to do my brother good and this is the way I know how. “

A Hollywood Reporter story published April 7 first contained a detailed description of the allegations of abuse and bullying, including alleged cases where Rudin threw a stapler and baked potato at workers and smashed a computer monitor in the hand of an assistant . Since the article’s publication, the Actors’ Equity Fund and Time’s Up have both called on Rudin to release all of his former employees from nondisclosure agreements.

As to why Foster hadn’t spoken out about Rudin before, she said she had to ‘step back’ to see the situation clearly, and apologized for not ‘touting’ her feelings.

“I had to leave to really deal with how I wanted to handle the situation and I didn’t feel like I had to post it for it to happen. I didn’t feel like that was something I had to do because it’s going to be a reactionary thing, ”said Foster. “And for me I had to take a step back to make sure the decision I made was mine, and not based on the noise of social media … I apologize if it seemed like I wasn’t running challenged my feelings, but I couldn’t get a clear mind and I really had to leave. ”

Despite the controversy, Foster said she’s excited to be working on “The Music Man” again.

“I am so honored to be a part of ‘The Music Man’ and can’t wait to create an incredible, safe, inclusive, loving, wonderful environment for everyone involved. And that’s all I think is important to get ahead, ”said Foster.

That kind of safe environment was not to be found at Rudin’s production company, claimed Graham-Caso, who shared stories of Kevin’s experience.

“You scolded and humiliated, bullied and harassed him for eight months,” Graham-Caso said, as if speaking directly to Rudin. “It was so intense that he developed anxiety and depression and post-traumatic stress, and like many traumatic abuse survivors, he soon found himself in another abusive relationship later in life. It was so intense that he committed suicide last October. “

Graham-Caso went on to promise to make it his personal duty that Rudin faces “real consequences.”

“This post is to let you know that as I move forward, I’m going to make sure people know that when they choose to work with you, they choose to work with a bully. They choose to work with a racist. They choose to work with a small and narrow-minded person who hurts those who help him succeed, ”said Graham-Caso. “I’m going to make sure people know the value and importance of a union, and the kind of protections needed to keep flaccid criminals like you from ruining the lives of the people who work with you.”

In an interview with Variety, Graham-Caso claimed that at one point Rudin got so angry with his brother that he threw him out of a moving car.

“I think some appointment didn’t sync to his phone,” he said. “It was years ago, but Kevin told me that Rudin either opened a door or pushed it against the door, but was actually screaming, ‘Fuck you, get the fuck out of my car’ and Kevin said, ‘The car is moving. I can’t, ‘and Rudin said,’ No, now. ‘And I don’t know if he pushed him physically or pushed open the door he was leaning on, but either way. Kevin said he didn’t really have to bend and roll , but it was the shock that he was thrown out. “

In the video, Graham-Caso also elaborates on Rudin’s recent decision to “step back” from Broadway, calling it “a smart PR strategy to avoid real consequences.” Graham-Caso then explained what response he would like the entertainment industry to take.

“The real consequences now would be distributors announcing that no movie with your name on it will be purchased. Not as long as someone who treats people like you benefits, ”Graham-Caso said. “The real consequences would be that the talented writers, directors and actors you work with don’t return to your calls. Basically showing that they care about people’s rights and dignity and that no one deserves the kind of abuse you inflict. Real justice would be knowing that it was Kevin who helped hold you accountable. “

Graham-Caso said his brother kept quiet about Rudin’s alleged wrongdoing because of the ramifications for his career.

“He never wanted to say anything, he always felt like it would be the iron nail in the coffin of his career, it would be admitting he would never make it,” he said. Variety‘He wanted to be a writer, he was really talented. But he never really wanted to do that. He cared a lot about social justice. We grew up in a union family, we were really progressive, but there were conflicting things. But then the Hollywood Reporter [article] hit, I felt it was an opportunity to do really good and share his story and his truth and hopefully help other people. “

Rudin’s representatives did not immediately respond Variety‘s request for comment regarding the statements made by Foster and Graham-Caso. A representative from A24, which distributes several Rudin-produced films, such as ‘The Humans’ and ‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’, did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and a representative from Netflix, who will stream the films produced by Rudin. The Woman in the Window “in May, did not immediately comment.

Rudin has been active on TV for the past few years. He is currently executive producer of the FX comedy “What We Do in the Shadows”. In 2015, Rudin’s banner signed a wide-ranging and lucrative TV development and producer deal for multiple 21st Century Fox TV units. That deal is no longer active in the Disney era.

Watch the full video from Graham-Casino below.

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