Former ‘ER’ actor Anthony Edwards accused entertainment industry veteran Gary Goddard of molesting him in an essay published on Medium Friday.
Actor Anthony Edwards accused writer/producer Gary Goddard of molesting him in an essay that was published on Medium Friday.
Edwards says he first met Goddard when he was 12, at the beginning of his acting career, which included roles in films like 1982’s Fast Times at Ridgemont High and 1984’s Revenge of the Nerds. He is best known for the 1986 film Top Gun and the NBC medical drama ER, in which he played Dr. Mark Greene from 1994 to 2008.
The actor, now 55, said Goddard, 63, taught him “the value of acting,” and served as a leader for Edwards’ group of friends. Edwards says Goddard also used the void of his emotionally unavailable father to manipulate him.
“Everyone has the need to bond, and I was no exception,” said Edwards. “My vulnerability was exploited. I was molested by Goddard, my best friend was raped by him — and this went on for years. The group of us, the gang, stayed quiet.”
Goddard directed the 1987 live-action He-Man film Masters of the Universe. He later founded the Goddard Group, an entertainment design firm. It produced 2009’s Tony Award-winning revival of the musical Hair as well as several theme-park attractions for Universal Studios and Six Flags.
Edwards said that he came face to face with Goddard at an airport 22 years ago and was able to confront his alleged abuser.
“I was able to express my outrage at what he had done,” he wrote. “He swore to his remorse and said that he had gotten help. I felt a temporary sense of relief. I say temporary because when Goddard appeared in the press four years ago for alleged sexual abuse, my rage resurfaced. At 51 years old, I was directed by a group of loving friends to a therapist who specializes in this kind of abuse.”
Edwards was likely referring to a pair of 2014 lawsuits accusing Goddard of sexually abusing teenage males. One suit was brought by an anonymous British citizen; the other was filed in federal court in Hawaii by Michael Egan III, who eventually withdrew his complaint against Goddard.
The ER star continued, “Only after I was able to separate my experience, process it, and put it in its place could I accept this truth: My abuse may always be with me, but it does not own me.”
He concluded, “I did not go from being a victim to a survivor alone. No one does. I had to ask for help, and I am so grateful that I did.”
Goddard’s rep acknowledged USA TODAY’s request for comment and said they would do so once Goddard returns from traveling.
His current project, the film Broadway 4D, which he wrote and co-directed with Bryan Singer, is due next year.
You can read Edwards’ essay in its entirety here .
More: Louis C. K. apologizes for his sexual misconduct: ‘These stories are true’
More: Kevin Spacey scandal: A complete list of the 14 accusers
More: List: All of the Hollywood power players accused of sexual assault or harassment
