Ben Dreyfuss Estranged from Father Richard Amid MeToo Allegations
Ben Dreyfuss, the son of Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss, has opened up about his estranged relationship with his father. In a recent series of social media posts, Ben discussed the complicated family dynamics primarily influenced by allegations related to the #MeToo movement.
Estrangement Sparks Controversy
On November 13, Ben took to social media platform X to share insights into his family’s financial situation, stating, “Everyone assumes my siblings and I are wealthy from our dad…but we have no money from my dad.” He emphasized that their estrangement began following events connected to accusations of sexual misconduct involving both family members and public figures.
Incident Involving Harry Dreyfuss
The where the strain in their relationship intensifies revolves around Ben’s younger brother, Harry Dreyfuss. In 2017, Harry alleged that actor Kevin Spacey groped him when he was 18 years old while Richard Dreyfuss was present. This incident followed Harry’s social media post defending himself that led to renewed scrutiny on Richard.
- Harry’s allegations were shared in a Buzzfeed article.
- Spacey directed Richard in the 2009 play “Complicit.”
Harry reported that during a rehearsal at Spacey’s apartment, the inappropriate encounter occurred, which he kept private for years. He later revealed that he had often shared this uncomfortable story in a joking manner at parties.
Richard Dreyfuss and #MeToo Allegations
Adding to the complexity, Ben mentioned that an unnamed woman’s allegations against Richard also contributed to the rift. Writer Jessica Teich accused Richard of harassment in the mid-1980s, claims that he has publicly denied.
Ben remarked, “The woman who MeToo’d my dad… it was right around that time when all of this was going on.” This contributed to years of conflict within the family, culminating in their decision to cease communication in 2022.
Ben’s Call for Transparency
Ben expressed his desire for open dialogue, stating, “I encourage you if you meet my father to ask him for his version. I’m curious to know what it is.” He indicated feelings of exhaustion regarding the ongoing tensions and strives to confront these issues head-on.
Despite his attempts to bridge the gap, he believes Richard will not engage in reconciliation. Ben concluded his posts by acknowledging his struggle with silence relating to these events and his hope for resolution.
For those affected by sexual assault, resources such as the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) are available for confidential support.
