Fred Savage Denies Allegations Of Harassment And Assault

Fred Savage is speaking out.

On Wednesday, March 21, 2018, the 41-year-old actor denied recent allegations of harassment and assault. Only hours before, Youngjoo Hwang, who worked in the wardrobe department for The Grinder in 2015, filed a lawsuit against him and Twentieth Century Fox for alleged harassment, assault, discrimination, and battery.

"I was made aware that a woman working in the costume department of a show I was on almost three years ago has claimed that I treated her harshly on set simply because she was a woman," Savage said in a statement (via E! News). "These accusations are completely without merit and absolutely untrue."

Adding that he "fully participated" in the network's "extensive internal investigation" into Hwang's claims, the former Wonder Years star stated that the allegations couldn't "be substantiated because they did not happen." 

"I have been working in the entertainment industry my whole life and have always endeavored to treat everyone on any set I work on respectfully and professionally," he continued. "While none of the accusations being leveled at me are true, I wholeheartedly support all people who feel they are being mistreated come forward and speak to human resources and those in charge." 

In reference to the #MeToo and Time's Up movements, Savage concluded, "We have witnessed so much bravery from those speaking out recently, but I will just as boldly protect myself and my family from those seeking to tarnish my good name. I cannot let these people in particular denigrate me while harming the message of thousands of women and others who have suffered and continue to suffer." 

As Nicki Swift previously reported, Hwang claimed in her lawsuit that Savage had not only intimidated and created a hostile work environment for the show's female crew members, but also became verbally and physically abusive toward her.

She and her lawyer later held a press conference, during which she elaborated on the allegations. "[Savage would] routinely curse at me, yell at me, demean me, when all I was trying to do was my job," she told reporters, adding that she was "not the only woman that Savage targeted" (via E! News).

During one particular incident, Hwang claimed that while she was brushing dandruff off of Savage's suit jacket during a taping, the actor "snapped," "yelled at me, told me not to touch him, and he hit my arm violently three times." 

Explaining that she was inspired by the #MeToo movement to come forward now, Hwang alleged that higher-ups at The Grinder had encouraged her not to report the alleged incident at the time, saying, "a lot of people would lose their jobs and that [she] would never work in this industry again."

Similarly to Savage, Twentieth Century Fox has since denied the claims. "Fox takes all allegations of improper conduct very seriously," a spokesperson released in a statement to Deadline. "We conducted a thorough investigation into these allegations and found no evidence of any wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Savage. We will vigorously defend against these unfounded claims."