Morgan Freeman apologises amid sexual harassment reports

U.S. film star Morgan Freeman has apologised following allegations of sexual misconduct made by eight women and several other people. Women talk about not attending premieres and changing how they dressed if they were going to be around the 80-year old actor, who started the Revelations production company to give black men and women more choices for TV and movie roles, leading to strong female leads in Along Came a Spider and the CBS show Madam Secretary.

AMERICAN ACTOR Morgan Freeman has responded to accusations of sexual harassment made against him by eight women.

In all, 16 people spoke to CNN about Freeman as part of the investigation - eight witnesses and eight who claim to be victims.

A male employee at Freeman's movie production company, Revelations Entertainment, also alleged that his boss was "very inappropriate".

Numerous people who stepped forward for the report state they feared their employment would be at risk if they presented those allegations against Freeman due to his stature in the entertainment industry.

Freeman, who has an SAG Award; two Golden Globes and an Oscar to his credit, had said he was "beyond honoured" to accept the recognition.

Another woman claimed his inappropriate behaviour was so widespread that colleagues told her, "Don't worry, that's just Morgan".

"Given Mr Freeman recently received one of our union's most prestigious honours recognising his body of work, we are therefore reviewing what corrective actions may be warranted at this time". According to one woman, Freeman approached her on the set of documentary series Through the Wormhole, "looked me up and down" and then asked her "how do you feel about sexual harassment?". At a press junket for Going in Style, during which she was six months pregnant, he looked her up and down and a couple of times said a variation of "I wish I was there".

In another resurfaced interview with Freeman from 2016, as a female reporter adjusts her dress the actor says to her, "Please, I wish you wouldn't". "He did comment on our bodies", she told CNN.

She accused Freeman of touching her repeatedly, resting his hand on her lower back or rubbing it without permission, and frequently making comments about her appearance.

CNN also said other sources denied having seen any questionable behaviour by the actor, and that those sources described him as being professional on set and in the office.

Freeman has been nominated for five Oscars for acting, winning one for Million Dollar Baby in 2005.

"In light of information we've learned this morning of allegations regarding actor Morgan Freeman, TransLink has chose to pause his voice announcements as part of a VISA ad campaign on our transit system".