Five women have come forward with allegations of s**ually inappropriate conduct against Louis CK, a renowned comedian, as reported by the New York Times.
Dana Min Goodman and Julia Wolov disclosed to the Times that in 2002, during a gathering in his hotel room, Louis CK surprised them by asking if he could expose himself.
To their astonishment, he proceeded to undress and masturbate while the two women initially laughed, assuming it was a jest.
The report follows years of circulating rumors surrounding the influential comic.
In addition to Goodman and Wolov’s account, three other women shared incidents where Louis CK either masturbated in their presence, over the phone, or sought permission to do so.
Louis CK’s spokesperson, Lewis Kay, informed the New York Times that the comedian would not be addressing the accusations.
In an email response, Kay stated, “Louis is not going to respond to any inquiries.”
Recognized as one of the most esteemed figures in modern comedy, Louis CK, an Emmy-winning artist behind the FX series Louie, commands sold-out arenas and holds a reputation as an innovative talent.
In response to the allegations, HBO removed Louis CK’s programs from its on-demand service.
The controversy unfolded as Louis CK was gearing up for the release of his new film, “I Love You, Daddy,” which revolves around a TV writer grappling with his teenage daughter’s involvement with an older movie producer rumored to be a pedophile.
The premiere of the film in New York was abruptly canceled, coinciding with Louis CK’s withdrawal from an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
Speculation regarding Louis CK’s inappropriate behavior has circulated within the comedy community for an extended period.
Previous reports in 2015 linked him to incidents involving indecent exposure at comedy festivals, sparking further discussions among comedians like Roseanne Barr and Tig Notaro.
Jen Kirkman, in a podcast, hinted at a “known perv” masquerading as a genius, which many inferred to be a veiled reference to Louis CK.
Despite demands for accountability from peers, Louis CK has consistently evaded addressing the accusations publicly.
Referring to the seriousness of harassment and assault, Tig Notaro emphasized the importance of addressing such allegations promptly.
Meanwhile, Roseanne Barr highlighted the prevalence of accusations within Hollywood circles involving Louis CK.
Louis CK’s dismissive stance towards these claims was evident in his past statements to the media.
Refusing to acknowledge the allegations, he maintained that rumors should not be dignified with a response, dismissing them as inconsequential.