Fraser told GQ that Berk groped him at a luncheon in 2003. Berk tells the magazine that Frasers version is total fabrication. In Berks memoir, he recounts the incident, in which he placed his hand on Frasers butt during a hug, as a jest. In comparison, members of the film and television academies don't get paid to serve on committees, writes CNET. I felt like a little kid. head of Hollywood Foreign Press . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. NEW YORK (AP) The Hollywood Foreign Press Association on Thursday announced reforms to its bylaws and an overhaul of its membership process in a bid to diversify its ranks and potentially restore the heavily criticized Golden Globes. The only other time Berk was exiled from the group was in 2014, when he took a six month leave of absence after his memoir came out. If you need help purchasing a product directly from Allure, go to our FAQ. In an interview with GQ, he confessed, "His left hand reaches around, grabs my a** cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. These steps involve hiring a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) consultant, mandatory member training for both sexual harassment and DEI, and the creation of new bylaws and membership/reaccreditation process. Berk, no longer president of the HFPA but still a member, told GQ Fraser'sversion of events "is a total fabrication.. But the silence was deafening. Fraser tells GQ he was rarely invited back to the Globes after 2003. In March 2021, the HFPA responded to the criticism by pledging to "increase membership to a minimum of 100 members this year, with a requirement that at least 13 percent of the membership be Black journalists," writes The Wrap. We want to reiterate that the HFPA understands todayas it did 15 years agothat what Mr. Fraser experienced was inappropriate. The actor said that the incident made him reclusive and he retreated from public life. "I felt ill," Fraser said. History and future met for a close-up on Sept. 15 in the newly dedicated Hollywood Foreign Press Association wing of California State University, Northridge's Manzanita Hall. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Fraser said the incident led to him becoming depressed and messed with his sense of who I was and what I was doing. He also said it affected the trajectory of his career. Mr. All rights reserved. ", In May 2021, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association responded to the various critiques levied at them by announcing that they were going to be implementing "radical reform." I felt like a little kid. Absolutely.. "Do I feel like I need to say something? Since May, members have shown their commitment to creating a reimagined HFPA. In response, both MRC and NBC, both of which are involved in the production and broadcasting of the Golden Globe Awards, demanded Berk's expulsion from the HFPA, and two days after sending the email Berk was removed from the HFPA after 44 years of membership. But now that PR firms and entertainers are also standing up and voicing their disapproval with the organization, the tide may be turning for the HFPA. Have I wanted to many, many times? (Reuters) Brendan Fraser claims he was groped in 2003 by Philip Berk, then. Do I feel like I need to say something? Feb. 21, 2021. (This letter was referred to in a 2005 New York Times story that read in part, "Mr. Berk wrote a letter of apology to the actor Brendan Fraser for having grabbed the actor's buttocks during a ceremony to announce a charitable contribution, though Mr. Berk said in an interview that he did no such thing and wrote the letter only to mollify the actor. Absolutely. As a member of the HFPA since 1989, he previously served as president in 2003-05. Brendan Fraser (left) accused former Hollywood Foreign Press President Philip Berk of groping him in 2003. president criticizing Black Lives Matter co-founder Patrisse Cullors and likening BLM to a hate group . Absolutely. By clicking Accept All Cookies, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Absolutely. In 2003 he began researching the business case for climate action for the . Although it's still up in the air whether or not this might be the final nail in the Golden Globes' coffin, some say that the Golden Globes simply aren't worth saving. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. the first of which spanned from 2003 . According to the BBC, Berk "forwarded it as a point of information," though after seeing the consequences of his actions Berk later said that he "regretted sending the email.". Brendan Fraser claims he was groped in 2003 by Philip Berk, then president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, an experience Fraser says left him depressed and miserable. Brendan Fraser was at the peak of his career when he was sexually abused by Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), as revealed in an interview published by GQ on Thursday. I felt ill. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association has announced the re-election of Helen Hoehne to another term as president.According to the HFPA's press release, Hoehne won by "an overwhelming margin." Am I still frightened? Have I wanted to many, many times? "If I've done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended," he said in the statement. Here is how Fraser describes the incident, which occurred at the Beverly Hills Hotel during an HFPA luncheon, to GQ: His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. Absolutely. "I felt like a little kid. The actor believes one of the reasons his career hit a standstill was because of an alleged incident with Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, which hosts the Golden Globes. Interviews with leading film and TV creators about their process and craft. In a group email with HFPA members, Berk reportedly. The actor says he believes he was blacklisted in Hollywood partly due to the aftermath of the alleged incident. In May 2021, NBC announced that it wouldn't be broadcasting the following year's Golden Globe Awards (via USA Today). Johansson's"Avengers" co-star Mark Ruffalo has also voiced criticism of the HFPA, claiming that "honestly, as a recent winner of a Golden Globe, I cannot feel proud or happy about being a recipient of this award," per the BBC. June 7, 2018 / 2:27 PM However some, like Alexander Nevsky, joined because they were "just plain curious.". of self-dealing, ethical lapses. Through his reps, Fraser did request a written apology from the HFPA, and Berk told GQ that he did write Fraser a letter but never admitted any wrongdoing. 2023 FOX News Network, LLC. All rights reserved, UN Report: How Florida is Fueling Haiti's Arms Trafficking Crisis, Philippine Provincial Governor Shot Dead by Gunmen While Meeting Villagers, Pa. Woman Went Missing in 1992 and Declared Dead. The actor immediately left the luncheon and went home to his wife, who he said he told about the interaction. Fraser revealed the alleged abuse in 2018,. Brendan Fraser is sharing his own Me Too experience and says a 15-year-old assault may have contributed to the derailment of his career. I Didn't Start Masturbating Until I Was 30. There's many reasons, but was this one of them? Previously on the HFPAs Board of Directors from 2012-19, frequent German TV contributor Hoehne is one of the current board members. A cause of. That's when they came up with the idea for the Golden Globe Awards. Hoehne was one of the trio of HFPA leaders who took the stage at the less-than-stellar hybrid Globes on February 28 to address the growing discontent with a pledge of basically trust us. Which few did, to put it mildly. His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. Have I stopped myself? Then, he said, the HFPA asked him to sign a joint statement saying the investigation found that Berk touched Fraser inappropriately but "the evidence supports that it was intended to be taken as a joke and not as a sexual advance.". Absolutely. ", Fraser recalled that when he left the room, he saw a police officer but could not bring himself to report what happened. And the pattern of men in power hurting the careers of those they have harassed or assaulted is in no way unique to the entertainment industry. "His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint," Fraser told GQ. Have I stopped myself? From 'Nymphomaniac' to 'Little Ashes': Unsimulated Sex Scenes in 36 Films, I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative, Fraser said. Sign up for our Email Newsletters here. Sign Up: Stay on top of the latest breaking film and TV news! Absolutely. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. And he starts moving it around, Fraser told GQ, adding that he felt overwhelmed with panic and fear. We've shared the results of that investigation with Mr. Fraser, and again apologized, but also conveyed our need to abide by the investigation's finding that the exchange was not an intended sexual advance. In response, entertainers have also stated that they will "refrain from any HFPA sanctioned events." And he starts moving it around," the actor said. User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Get the best of Fox News' entertainment coverage, right in your inbox. That board 12 active (internal) members and three TBA non-members (outside) directly picked the new president to take over for Ali Sar. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Hollywood Foreign Press Assn. According to The New York Times, as a tax-exempt non-profit, "payments to members for their work for the organization are legal as long as they are considered reasonable." Have I wanted to many, many times? The HFPA's board members are also paid, making "between $63,433 and $135,957 in the tax year ending June 30, 2019. I thought I was going to cry, he told the magazine. '", Berk, who took a six-month leave of absence from the HFPA in April 2014 following backlash from his memoir but is still a member, denied the claim in an e-mail to GQ, saying: "Mr. Fraser's version is a total fabrication.". For transparencys sake, along with Hoehne, the current HFPA board includes Gabriel Lerman, Sabrina Joshi, Yukiko Nakajima, Scott Orlin, Kirpi Uimonen, Henry Arnaud, Barbara de Oliveira Pinto, Barbara Gasser, Tina Johnk Christensen, Greet Ramaekers and Armando Gallo. I didn't want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative," he says now. Powered and implemented by FactSet Digital Solutions. The Time's Up organization, as well as numerous entertainers and PR firms, expressed dissatisfaction with the proposed reforms, stating that "the HFPA's list of recommendations largely contains no specifics [and] no commitments to real accountability or change,"writes The Hollywood Reporter. said recently that after being sexually harassed, Meet the Sexual Assault Survivors Attending Trump's State of the Union, Terry Crews Reveals He Was Sexually Assaulted by a "High-Level" Hollywood Executive, What Is Sexual Grooming? During a recent appearance on Howard Stern's SiriusXM talk show, Brendan Fraser continued to diss the Golden Globes. "), Letter aside, Fraser said, the experience "made me retreat. The HFPA stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article, the association said in a statement, according to People. Members receive payments for writing for HFPA's website and for working at the annual grants dinner in addition to the payments they receive for serving on the committees. The 49-year-old Fraser told GQ about the alleged incident at a 2003 luncheon in the Beverly Hills Hotel. There have also been numerous claims that voters are easily swayed. Berk told GQ he was still an active voter with the HFPA and faced no disciplinary action. In the end, as one insider notes, "I don't think anyone will touch this with a 10-foot pole until they get their act together." I think it was. Fraser also shared that he wonders if the HFPA retaliated against him after the incident by depriving him of Golden Globes invitations or other professional opportunities. Berk has repeatedly claimed that all he did was jokingly pinch Fraser's butt. In an interview with GQ, Brendan Fraser alleged that Philip Berk, former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), groped him. 2018 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. According to The Guardian, Cruise isn't the only entertainer speaking out. Fraser, through his representatives, asked the HFPA for an apology, which Berk says he wrote, but added: "My apology admitted no wrongdoing, the usual 'If I've done anything that upset Mr. Fraser, it was not intended and I apologize. Ad Choices. He also said he did not care why Berk touched him. Fraser also surmised his career may have suffered . Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. This announcement came at the heels of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's (HFPA) inability to come up with adequate reforms to address the various criticisms levied at the organization. The Hollywood Foreign Press Association ( HFPA) addressed their controversial diversity issue, namely the fact that the organization currently has no Black members, during Sunday night's. ", Andrea is an entertainment producer at CBSNews.com, First published on June 7, 2018 / 2:27 PM. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. Related Berk reached out to shake The Mummy actor's hand. In the summer of 2003, then-president Philip Berk groped Brendan Fraser at the Beverly Hills Hotel. Dave Quinn is an Editor for PEOPLE, working across a number of verticals including the Entertainment, Lifestyle and News teams. Fraser can be seen asJames Fletcher Chace in Danny Boyles FX series Trust, which debuts March 25. Do I feel like I need to say something? Get the latest hollywood foreign press association news, articles, videos and photos on the New York Post. Fraser went home and told his then-wife, Afton Smith,what happened. "His left hand reaches around, grabs my a** cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint," said Fraser. In an interview with GQ published Thursday, Fraser said that he was groped in 2003 by Philip Berk, a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the organization that hosts the Golden Globes. However, the network added that "assuming the organization executes on its plan, we are hopeful we will be in a position to air the show in January 2023.". However, in an official statement Friday the HFPA stated that "the report included alleged information that the association had previously been unaware of" and that it "stands firmly against sexual harassmentand type of behavior described in this article.". These publicity firms had actually threatened to advise their clients to boycott the Golden Globes earlier in March if the HFPA didn't reform, following the Los Angeles Times investigation. I felt like there was a ball in my throat. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Helen Hoehne will be the next President of the HFPA, it was revealed today. 344 Hollywood Foreign Press Associations Cecil B Demille Award Announcement Premium High Res Photos Browse 344 hollywood foreign press associations cecil b demille award announcement stock photos and images available, or start a new search to explore more stock photos and images. And he starts moving it around. Cruise won his three awards for his roles in "Magnolia," "Jerry Maguire," and "Born on the Fourth of July.". I felt ill. Is it ever okay to ask a woman especially one who's publicly undergone IVF if she's pregnant? Biography [ edit] Soria was born in Argentina to Italian parents who left the country during World War II. Fraser then said he removed Berks hand and immediately left the event. (Reps for Fraser and the HFPA did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment). This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.. Although the judge ended up siding with HFPA in November 2020, the lawsuit brought to light a number of the organization's "ethical conflicts, with members accepting 'thousands of dollars in emoluments' from the very same studios, networks and celebrities they conferred trophies upon.". The HFPA investigated the accusation, but Fraser said the organization declined to share the full results of their investigation with him. In a new interview with GQ, The Mummy starreveals he was groped in 2003byPhilip Berk,a former president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. CBS reports that in 2018, Fraser even asked to see the investigation's full report so he'd "know what I'm signing off on," but the HFPA has repeatedly refused to share its report. Shonda Rhimes, producer of the show "Bridgerton," even noted that HFPA rejected their press conference until the show became a "surprise hit. Market data provided by Factset. Absolutely, he says. After the GQ story was published, the HFPA responded saying that it was investigating the incident. Held in 1944, the first Golden Globes Awards were, according to Vox, an "informal luncheon" at the Beverly Hills Hotel. All Rights Reserved. One member confused Daniel Kaluuya for another Black actor, Leslie Odom Jr., just minutes after Kaluuya's Oscar win, while a former Hollywood Foreign Press president was expelled from the group . Write to Abigail Abrams at abigail.abrams@time.com. September 8, 2021 4:57pm Courtesy HFPA Fighting to stay alive, the beleaguered Hollywood Foreign Press Association has elected a nearly 20-year veteran to lead the group into what may or may. "And he starts moving it around." I thought I was going to cry., After immediately leaving the luncheon, Fraser told his wife of the interaction but otherwise remained silent for fear of embarrassment and career damage. "It made me feel reclusive," the . The actor said he refused to sign, because he "didn't get the joke." Fraser also shared his belief that he may have been blacklisted by the HFPA after the incident and that his career may have suffered as a result. Berkclaims he had written a letter to Fraser about the incident claiming that he had done no wrong. Flaa's lawsuit alleged that the HFPA operated like a cartel and instituted a "culture of corruption," writes the Los Angeles Times, and actively barred qualified candidates such as herself. The New York Times notes that the HFPA's history of insensitive behavior coupled with their seemingly shady financial dealings may make it difficult for the Golden Globes to make a comeback, especially if another awards show takes their place. And after being broadcast on the radio for 14 years, on February 26, 1958, the Golden Globe Awards were televised for the first time. Lorenzo Soria (27 November 1951 - 7 August 2020) was an Argentine-Italian journalist and executive who served as the president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for three terms. I was blaming myself and I was miserablebecause I was saying, This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel. That summer wore onand I cant remember what I went on to work on next., Fraser says the experience made me retreat. Brendan Fraser Says Former HFPA President Sexually Assaulted Him and Derailed His Career In an interview with GQ, Brendan Fraser claimed that former Hollywood Foreign Press Association. According to Fraser, Berk placed his hand on his butt when they hugged at an HFPA luncheon. This report includes alleged information that the HFPA was previously unaware of and at this time we are investigating further details surrounding the incident.. This is the shady truth about the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. After Fraser spoke publicly about the incident in 2018, HFPA conducted an investigation into the incident. In 1943, actress Argentina Brunetti and her husband Miro Brunetti, a foreign correspondent, co-founded the Hollywood Foreign Correspondents Association, which was renamed the Hollywood Foreign Press Association in 1954 (via Golden Globes). Anne Thompson "Maybe I am over-reacting in terms of what the instance was. He says he didn't have the courage to speak out about it earlier because of the "risk of humiliation, or damage to my career.. All rights reserved. The crisis-plagued Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), the body that organises the Golden Globes, has expelled Philip Berk, its former president who sparked widespread outrage by sharing . With some even speculating that the IRS has reason to investigate, it's not unlikely that HFPA members may have to do more than attend a few seminars on diversity and sexual harassment. In his suit, Russell alleged that the HFPA "abuse their positions and engage in unethical and potentially unlawful deals and arrangements which amount to a payola scheme" and claimed that he was fired after he brought these issues up with then-president Phillip Berk. Absolutely," Fraser said in the interview. Fraser is not the only male star taking action over assault claims. The elevation of the groups VP to the top job of the 80-member-plus organization comes just under two weeks after the HFPA expanded its Board of Directors to 15 in the latest of a series of reform endeavors by the much-scorned group. Fraser, who came forward in February to accuse Berk of sexual misconduct, talked to GQ magazine about his sexual harassment claim with the HFPA. LOS ANGELES Brendan Fraser is joining the #MeToo movement, coming forward on Thursday with allegations of sexual assault by an ex-president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. IndieWire is a part of Penske Media Corporation. HFPA President Lorenzo Soria expressed his enthusiasm and hopes for what the grant bestowed upon CSUN will bring. I felt like a little kid. . Allure may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with Fraser said that the alleged assault left him feeling "ill," "like a little kid," and "like someone had thrown invisible paint on me." I didnt want to contend with how that made me feel, or it becoming part of my narrative. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. retailers. Absolutely. And he starts moving it around. Send us a tip using our annonymous form. "The Hollywood Foreign Press Association is thrilled to continue its relationship with CSUN, which now spans nearly two decades and has provided invaluable opportunities for deserving students to hone their craft," Soria said. With a group of 21 other journalists, their hope was to pool their knowledge and "formalize their relationship with the studios" in the hopes of making it easier to work on film journalism. Fraser said when the group approached him and asked him to sign off on the statement, "What I said to them was, 'Show me the investigator's report, and then I'll know what I'm signing off on.'" Despite his inappropriate behavior, Philip Berk stayed on as a part of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. I thought I was going to cry. Among those efforts, transparency seems to be the major buzzword for now, I hear. 01:57. (Reuters). We are excited for the future of our association and look forward to connecting with our colleagues in the industry both old and new over these next few months.. On May 10, 2021, it seemed like the industry heads were taking note when NBC announced that they wouldn't be broadcasting the 2022 Golden Globe Awards. And in 2019, HFPA members were flown to the set of "Emily in Paris," which later received two nominations. Market data provided by Factset. Oscars 2023: Best Makeup and Hairstyling Predictions Its investigation concluded that "the evidence supports that it was intended to be taken as a joke" and suggested issuing a joint statement with Fraser. ", The Shady Truth About The Hollywood Foreign Press Association, Hollywood Foreign Press Association: A History. Fraser, for his part, told the magazine he decided not to go public with his story because he was afraid of "it becoming part of my narrative." Absolutely. In addition to setting up a hotline to report violations, the HFPA planned to increase membership over the course of 18 months, in addition to "creating a list of [Diversity, Equity and Inclusion] consultants.". He previously. (Berk denies that the HFPA retaliated against Fraser, telling GQ, His career declined through no fault of ours). In the 21st century, according to the Golden Globes, "HFPA members attend more than 300 interviews and countless movie and television screenings throughout each year." I felt like a little kid. I was blaming myself and I was miserable because I was saying, This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel,' Fraser recalled. Kevin Spacey faces 7 more sexual offense charges in the U.K. CBS and Les Moonves reach settlement with N.Y. attorney general, Brendan Fraser says former Hollywood Foreign Press Association president sexually harassed him. Brendan Fraser is the latest actor to come forward with his story of sexual assault in the wake of the #MeToo and Times Up movements. Withdraw consent by clicking on the link in any issue. He was a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association since 1989 and served in the administration for 25 years he formerly held the position of president from 2003-2005 and 2015-2017. Brendan Fraser (left) accused former Hollywood Foreign Press President Philip Berk of groping him in 2003. I dont know if this curried disfavor with the group, with the HFPA. Signup for Breaking News Alerts & Newsletters. He believes it's partly why his career derailed, and said: "The phone does stop ringing in your career, and you start asking yourself why. But when they first organized, they still weren't taken too seriously, and mostly all they did was "meet at various members' homes to share information." The incident happened in public at a summer luncheon held by the HFPA (which hosts the Golden Globes annually). Throughout its history, the HFPA membership has never gone over 100, and as of May 2021 there are 86 members. Actor Brendan Fraser accused the former president of theHollywood Foreign Press Association of sexually assaulting him in 2003, the latest in a string of people to speak out in the #MeToo and Times Up movements. Between 2002 and 2018, only five Golden Globe Awards had at least one BIPOC acting winner. Members ended up returning the watches in response to the criticism regarding the gifts, while USA Films claimed that "the studio got the watches for free and didn't realize how expensive they were.". ", It also doesn't help that HFPA member Margaret Gardiner "confused Daniel Kaluuya for another Black actor, Leslie Odom Jr., just minutes after Kaluuya's Oscar win.". What is unusual is a man publicly opening up about experiencing sexual harassment, which is one of the reasons Fraser's account is garnering so much attention. In February, Fraser told GQ that in 2003, as he was leaving a luncheon held by the HFPA at the Beverly Hills Hotel, Berk stopped him and shook his hand. I was blaming myself and I was miserablebecause I was saying, This is nothing; this guy reached around and he copped a feel. That summer wore onand I cant remember what I went on to work on next.. Brendan Fraser is sharing his own Me Too experienceand says a 15-year-oldassault may have contributed to the derailment of his career. Brendan Fraser claims ex-Hollywood Foreign Press president groped him. "Am I still frightened? However, he said the note did not admit anything. "His left hand reaches around, grabs my ass cheek, and one of his fingers touches me in the taint. According to. This came after the 2021 Golden Globe Awards, which notably snubbed Black-led projects such as "Judas and the Black Messiah," "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," and "One Night in Miami." Magazines, Or create a free account to access more articles, Brendan Fraser Says Former Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Assaulted Him. HFPA also maintained that Berk, a 41-year member of HFPA and eight-term former president, faced no disciplinary action and was going to remain an active member of the HFPA. The HFPA stands firmly against sexual harassment and the type of behavior described in this article, the associated said in an official statement. ", In response to the Hollywood Foreign Press Association's inability to come up with effective reforms, both Netflix and Amazon stated that they would be boycotting the 2022 Golden Globe Awards. It made me feel reclusive. His career seemed on hold. Absolutely., Berk responded to Frasers story by telling GQ it is a total fabrication. He admitted to writing a letter to Fraser about the incident but said his apology admitted no wrongdoing.. All Rights Reserved. It made me feel reclusive." Fraser didn't attend this year's Golden Globes, despite being nominated . Actor Brendan Fraser has accused a member of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, the group that presents the annual Golden Globe Awards, of groping him at an event in 2003. [Work] withered on the vine for me. Meet the New, Revamped Hollywood Foreign Press Association, 105 Members Strong Finally, the HFPA has entered the modern world, even if they did so kicking and screaming. A new profile of Fraser by GQ asks the same question, and adds more context to the answer: In an interview with the magazine, Fraser spoke publicly for the first time about his experience of sexual assault, alleging that he was groped by former Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) president Philip Berk in the summer of 2003.