Jeffrey Tambor has officially exited “Transparent,” Amazon confirmed Thursday.
Tambor leaves the series ahead of it’s upcoming fifth season. His departure follows multiple misconduct allegations and a period of waffling on whether he would return to the Amazon Studios series.
A representative for Amazon confirmed Tambor’s exit from the series Thursday but declined to comment further. Series creator Jill Soloway said Thursday, “I have great respect and admiration for Van Barnes and Trace Lysette, whose courage in speaking out about their experience on Transparent is an example of the leadership this moment in our culture requires. We are grateful to the many trans people who have supported our vision for Transparent since its inception and remain heartbroken about the pain and mistrust their experience has generated in our community. We are taking definitive action to ensure our workplace respects the safety and dignity of every individual, and are taking steps to heal as a family. ”
Tambor on Thursday denied harassment allegations leveled against him last year by two people who had worked on “Transparent.”
“I am profoundly disappointed in Amazon’s handling of these false accusations against me,” he said. “I am even more disappointed in Jill Soloway’s unfair characterization of me as someone who would ever cause harm to any of my fellow cast mates. In our four-year history of working together on this incredible show, these accusations have NEVER been revealed or discussed directly with me or anyone at Amazon. Therefore, I can only surmise that the investigation against me was deeply flawed and biased toward the toxic politicized atmosphere that afflicted our set. As I have consistently stated, I deeply regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone and I will continue to vehemently defend myself. I also deeply regret that this ground-breaking show, which changed so many lives, is now in jeopardy. That, to me, is the biggest heartbreak.”
Tambor was accused of sexual harassment by his former personal assistant, a trans woman named Van Barnes, in a private Facebook post on Nov. 8. Later that month, guest star Trace Lysette came forward with further alleged instances of inappropriate behavior.
The actor issued a statement Nov. 19 saying, “Transparent” was “no longer the job I signed up for four years ago,” adding, “Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don’t see how I can return to ‘Transparent.’”
But his spokesperson issued a statement the following month saying, “What he said was that given the toxic atmosphere and the politicization on the set, it’s very hard for him to see how he can possibly return. But no final decision for next year has been made, either by Jeffrey or by Amazon.”
Tambor has won two Emmys and a Golden Globe for his work on the Amazon series, in which he plays Maura Pfefferman, a trans woman and parent to three grown children.
Updated with Tambor’s statement.
