Ben Dreyfuss Reveals Estrangement from Oscar-Winning Father, Richard Dreyfuss

Ben Dreyfuss, the son of Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss, has opened up about a long-standing estrangement from his father. He revealed that this emotional distance stems from a series of complex family dynamics and incidents that began during the rise of the #MeToo movement.

Estrangement from Richard Dreyfuss

In a series of now-deleted posts on X, Ben, a 39-year-old journalist, stated that he and his siblings, Emily and Harry, have been cut off from their father for many years. He indicated that they have received no financial support from Richard, who is famous for his roles in iconic films such as Jaws and Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Ben emphasized, “My dad has no money,” suggesting that any wealth Richard may have does not benefit them due to their strained relationship.

Background of Family Strain

The deterioration in their relationship can be traced back to 2017. At that time, Ben managed Richard’s Twitter account and publicly supported his brother Harry, who alleged that actor Kevin Spacey had groped him at the age of 18. Following this support, Richard faced his own accusations, which Ben claims have led to years of conflict. “This led to years of acrimony,” he stated, highlighting the familial impact of the social movement.

Recent Communications

On November 17, 2023, Ben published what he referred to as the most recent email exchange with Richard on his Substack blog, Calm Down. This exchange, dated January 2024, reportedly details Ben’s attempts to mend their relationship following a tumultuous family dinner in 2022.

• Ben mentioned he poorly articulated his feelings regarding public nepotism accusations.
• He admitted to using a homophobic slur during a heated argument, which he regrets.
• Richard’s response was an all-caps email expressing his frustration with Ben and Emily for their public confrontations.

Ben shared that Richard believed he was hoarding financial resources from his children. In Richard’s dramatic message, he insisted on addressing the underlying issues before any reconciliation could occur.

Ben’s Reflections on Their Relationship

In his recent posts, Ben expressed deep love for his father, despite the many challenges they face. He acknowledged the amount of time that has passed and suggested that this exchange might be the final communication he receives from Richard. It’s a sentiment that resonates with the ongoing hurt in their relationship.

Emily Dreyfuss, also a journalist, commented on the situation, expressing a different perspective on their collective sadness over the estrangement. She noted relief that such feelings are now publicly acknowledged.

This unfolding story of familial discord not only highlights the personal struggles within the Dreyfuss family but also emphasizes the long-lasting impact of public accusations and social movements on personal relationships.