Broadway Producer Scott Rudin Steps Back Amidst Exposé of Abusive Behavior

The cast of the 2017 revival of “Hello, Dolly!”

Scott Rudin, who is only one of 16 people ever to win an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award, said he is “stepping back” from involvement in Broadway shows.

Rudin, who was the subject of an exposé that appeared in the Hollywood Reporter earlier in the month, told the Washington Post he wanted to apologize “for the pain [his] behavior caused” colleagues and people in the industry.

“I am profoundly sorry for the pain my behavior caused to individuals, directly and indirectly,” he said in the interview. “After a period of reflection, I’ve made the decision to step back from active participation on our Broadway productions, effective immediately.”

The industry titan was accused in the Hollywood Reporter article of “acts of intimidation” and abuse of employees going back decades.

Meanwhile, Rudin said he was stepping back to prevent the controversy from overshadowing the eventual reopening of Broadway theater.   The producer of such successful hits as “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “The Book of Mormon” said he is “taking steps” to address his behavior.

“I do not want any controversy associated with me to interrupt Broadway’s well deserved return, or specifically, the return of the 1500 people working on these shows,” Rudin said in a statement e-mailed to the Post.

Rudin is responsible for at least 77 shows on Broadway since the 1990s including the recent revival of “Hello, Dolly!” with Bette Midler, “The Boys in the Band,” “Carousel,” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.”  He is also said to be working with Governor Andrew Cuomo on a timetable for the safe return of Broadway theater amidst the coronavirus pandemic.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)