Theater apologizes to patrons following a controversial appearance by Oscar-winner Richard Dreyfuss – 12 months after he said the Academy’s DEI rules made him ‘want to vomit’

A Massachusetts theater apologized to patrons after a Richard Dreyfuss performance on Saturday night, prompting many to boo the Oscar winner as many left the performance.

Dreyfuss, 78, appeared at The Cabot in Beverly, Massachusetts, for a question-and-answer session followed by a screening of Jaws, the megahit that launched his career in 1975.

Dreyfuss is accused of making derogatory comments about members of the LGBTQ community, women in Hollywood and his associates.

“We deeply regret that Mr. Dreyfuss’ comments during the event were not consistent with the values ​​of inclusivity we uphold at The Cabot,” the press release began.

We understand that his comments were disturbing and offensive to many of our community members, and for that we sincerely apologize.”

“At The Cabot, we are committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of our community. Mr. Dreyfuss’s views do not reflect our beliefs, and we do not endorse them in any way.”

Dreyfuss pictured alongside his late Jaws co-stars Roy Scheider and Robert Shaw

Dreyfuss pictured with his wife, Russian-born Svetlana Erokhin in April 2023

“We take full responsibility for the failure to anticipate the direction of the conversation and any discomfort this may cause.”

In response to the controversy, one attendee, Rogue Mama, tweeted, “Came here to see if Richard Dreyfuss was canceled tonight after appearing on #TheCabot in Beverly.”

Another person tweeted an alternate title for the evening: “An evening of misogyny and homophobia with Richard Dreyfuss. Disappointing doesn’t even begin to cover it.’

Ironically, on May 28, three days after Dreyfuss’ performance, the theater will host an event titled How Discrimination Is Emerging in Our Community and What We Can Do About It.

Just 12 months ago, Dreyfuss was widely criticized for his comments about the new diversity and inclusion requirements at the Academy Awards, saying, “They’re making me throw up.”

Dreyfuss made the comments during an episode of PBS’ Firing Line, which aired Friday, claiming the Academy was treating people like children by implementing the new criteria.

The actor also defended Laurence Olivier’s performance in the 1965 film Othello, in which he played the main character in blackface.

Cabot Cinema management issued a full apology to patrons who attended Dreyfuss’ performance

Host Margaret Hoover asked Dreyfuss what he thought of the upcoming inclusivity rules and he replied, “They make me throw up.”

‘No one should tell me as an artist that I have to give in to the latest, most current idea of ​​what morality is. What do we risk? Are we really at risk of hurting people’s feelings?

‘You cannot lay that down in law. You have to let life be life and I’m sorry, I don’t think there is a minority or majority in the country that needs to be taken care of like this… This is an art form. It is also a form of trading and it makes money, but it is an art.

“And no one should tell me as an artist that I have to give in to the newest, most current idea of ​​what morality is.”

The actor has long been outspoken about his belief in the Constitution.

In 2008, he founded The Dreyfuss Initiative, a nonprofit organization that promotes education about American democracy in classrooms across the country. The initiative offers teachers videos and learning resources, among other things.

In a 2014 interview with The Associated Press, calling for a “citizens’ strike” in support of the U.S. Constitution to encourage citizen participation.

“I’m going to send you a copy of the preamble to the Constitution,” he said. ‘If there’s something in it you don’t agree with, don’t sign it; just send me an explanation back. You will agree with everything because it is beautifully made and intended for everyone. And if I get 500,000 signatures, I will call for a citizens’ strike.