Affleck issued a statement Wednesday.
Ben Affleck apologized for his behavior toward former « TRL » host Hilarie Burton a day after he was accused of grabbing her breast more than a decade ago.
His apology, which he issued as a statement on Twitter, came after a video apparently filmed during the incident resurfaced online on Tuesday.
« I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize, » Affleck said.
The actor’s encounter with Burton received renewed attention Tuesday shortly after Affleck released a statement condemning his former collaborator, Harvey Weinstein, amid numerous allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment against the Miramax co-founder.
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Shortly after Affleck released that statement, a Twitter user wrote that « everyone forgot » that Affleck « also grabbed Hilarie Burton’s breasts on TRL once. »
Burton then replied: « I didn’t forget. »
Video of her interaction with Affleck — who appeared on the show in 2003 — then re-emerged on the internet, showing Affleck reaching around Burton, who then lets out a sort of surprised laugh.
The video does not clearly show the apparent grope, but Burton spoke about the encounter in a testimonial segment filmed afterward.
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« He wraps his arm around me, and comes over and tweaks my left boob, » Burton says in a surprised tone.
Burton posted a video montage containing her testimonial to Twitter on Tuesday, writing, « Girls. I’m so impressed with you brave ones. I had to laugh back then so I wouldn’t cry. Sending love. »
Her husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, portrays Thomas Wayne in the new series of superhero movies starring Affleck as Batman.
Weinstein was the one who picked up Affleck and Matt Damon’s acclaimed 1997 drama « Good Will Hunting. »
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In his statement speaking out against Weinstein, Affleck said, « I am saddened and angry that a man who I worked with used his position of power to intimidate, sexually harass and manipulate many women over decades.
« The additional allegations of assault that I read this morning made me sick. »
Weinstein was accused of raping three women in a new report by The New Yorker on Tuesday, which came on the heels of multiple women accusing him of sexually harassing them in a New York Times article last week.
Numerous women, including Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow, have since come forward accusing Weinstein of making unwanted sexual advances toward them early in their careers.
