French actor Gerard Depardieu, 75, is currently in police custody for questioning regarding sexual assault allegations made by two women. The first woman accused Depardieu of groping her on the set of 'The Green Shutters' in Paris during 2021. The second woman claimed that he made inappropriate remarks and touched her inappropriately while she was an assistant on the set of 'Le magician et le Siamois' back in 2015. Depardieu is also facing a rape charge from a woman who alleged that he raped her when she was anorexic in 2018. Spanish journalist Ruth Baza filed a criminal complaint against Depardieu for an alleged rape that occurred in Paris during 1995.
Depardieu, known for his roles in films like 'Green Card', 'The Man in the Iron Mask', and 'Life of Pi', has previously been granted Russian citizenship by Vladimir Putin after announcing his intention to give up his French passport due to government tax hikes. He has also been accused of wild excesses, including drinking and womanizing.
Depardieu's legal team confirmed that he had presented himself at a police station in Paris on Monday morning for questioning. The Paris police force declined to comment on the matter, directing questions to the Paris prosecutor's office which also refused to comment. Depardieu has previously denied all allegations against him.
The alleged incidents took place during filming, and both women have filed complaints with the authorities. The first complaint was filed in February 2024, while the second one was reportedly made in 2015 but only came to light recently. Depardieu's legal team has not yet commented on these specific allegations.
Depardieu's reputation for wild excesses and his association with controversial figures like Putin have been a topic of discussion in the media for years. He has also faced numerous accusations of sexual misconduct, including rape, groping, and making inappropriate remarks to women. Depardieu was handed preliminary rape and sexual assault charges in 2020 following allegations from actor Charlotte Arnould.
The French cinema industry has been under scrutiny for its handling of sexual misconduct allegations against prominent figures. The #MeToo movement brought attention to the issue, leading to investigations and arrests of several high-profile individuals. Depardieu's case is just one of many that have come to light in recent years.