US actor Fred Willard (A Mighty Wind, Back to You, Everybody Loves Raymond, Modern Family) has been fired as host of PBS factual series Market Warriors after he was arrested for a “lewd act” in an adult theatre.
Los Angeles Police Department said Mr. Willard was arrested after he was seen “engaging in a lewd act” by vice officers on routine inspection in the 5400 block of Santa Monica Boulevard, the location of the Tiki Theater. He was later booked and released.
PBS said Thursday that he had lost his job as the wisecracking narrator of its new show Market Warriors.
TMZ reports there were only 4 others in the movie theatre at the time of his arrest.
Willard said of the police arrest, “I have great respect for them.
“It’s a difference of opinion. It’s all being straightened out as we speak.”
His lawyer added, “With all due respect to the individual officer, our belief is that Fred did nothing in any violation of any law.
“We will be working vigorously to clear his name in this matter.”
Update: Willard will avoid formal charges of lewd conduct by enrolling in a diversion program says LA Attorney’s Office.
Source: NY Times
maybe the photo suggests what the lewd act was…just saying…and not what everyone has assumed…
Oh for god’s sake it wasn’t in a park it was in an adult theatre.
Lewd Act? In an Adult Theatre?! No way! Who would have thought something like that would happen in an Adult theatre?!
Who cares? It’s not like anyone would go to a porn theatre for tea, scones and polite conversation.
Amy’s dad from Everybody loves Raymond? No!!… although nothing surprises me in this crazy world anymore.
Maybe he was researching a new movie role?
I would have thought adult theaters died out with the Internet and easy access to DVDs.
@Ruddeger – ‘The Yank’ see researching a role
@MuchoTB – Yes, he does have issues. Hence, he grabbed the tissues. LOL.
I wonder if the cops got a tip off so as this theatre would get some publicity
This guy is disgusting! I remember he used to play the bumbling boss in Frasier’s axed sitcom Back To You. Now he’s visiting porn theatres and getting arrested?
Ewwww. I don’t even want to know. They should fire him and prohibit him from endorsing anything ever again, it sounds like he has issues
Porn Theatre? They exist? well they still exist?
You know, you have to assume. What else are these places for?
I would personally wonder if there’s some form of entrapment going on. A place whose sole purpose is for one thing. It’s not as if people go and watch Porn for the story.
It’s like the Paul Reubens. He wasn’t actually caught masturbating in a theatre. He was just at one.
Also aren’t these places private property? So wouldn’t it be up to the owners desecration? Which would make me wonder if the people that own these places might try and get some extra cash from patrons they recognise as famous.
Who knows. It’s just one of these things. Yeah it’s odd. Use a laptop at home. Still it’s no big deal.
Love the photo
This article made me laugh … it doesn’t really surprise me.
Regardless of whether it was an adult theatre,its still a public place and we dont know what the lewd act was.
In case it’s not clear, the Tiki is a porn theatre. What do they think the packs of tissues are for? I don’t see what the problem is if you’re not bothering other patrons.
Wha happened!
His next movie has a rather unfortunate title – The Yank