‘The Goldbergs’ Star Jeff Garlin Exits Show Amid Allegations of Extreme ‘Abusive’ Behavior
The Goldbergs star Jeff Garlin has exited the ABC sitcom after nine seasons following allegations of abusive behavior on set.
On Wednesday (Dec. 15), Deadline reported that Garlin left the longstanding series with just one more day of shooting left to film Season 9. It is unknown if the network will renew it for Season 10 or how his character's absence, Goldberg patriarch Murray Christian Goldberg, will be explained in the series.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the cast and crew of the comedy learned of his departure yesterday while on the set. Allegedly, a veteran producer told them that "the decision was a mutual one between Garlin and Sony."
Earlier this year, Garlin's work had been reduced on the series. On Dec. 3, Vanity Fair published an investigation and interview with Garlin regarding his “verbal and physical conduct on set that made people uncomfortable." Garlin admitted that there has been an HR investigation into his actions for the last three years and that the human resources office has talked to him numerous times about his behavior.
Meanwhile, Garlin claimed that his physical and verbal actions were misunderstood comedic gestures that rubbed people the wrong way. At the time, he said that he was not being fired from the series.
“It’s always the same thing,” Garlin told the outlet. “It’s about me and my silliness on set. They don’t think it’s appropriate. I do. That’s where we’re at.”
ABC and Sony TV have not released a statement regarding his departure. Garlin currently stars in and executive produces the HBO series Curb Your Enthusiasm.
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