Lawyer tells Australian court Geoffrey Rush barely eating
SYDNEY, Australia — Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush has become virtually housebound, barely eats and wakes each morning with a “terrible sense of dread” since a Sydney newspaper alleged inappropriate behaviour toward an actress, his lawyer swore in an affidavit.
Lawyer Nicholas Pullen’s affidavit submitted to the Australian Federal Court in Sydney on Monday said the 66-year-old Australian actor had suffered “tremendous emotional and social hardship” since The Daily Telegraph accused him in December of inappropriate behaviour toward actress Eryn Jean Norvill during the Sydney Theatre Company’s production of “King Lear” in 2015.
Rush has denied the allegation. He is suing the newspaper over the articles, which he says portray him as a pervert and sexual predator. Details of the alleged behaviour remain vague.
Rush “suffers lack of sleep and anxiety requiring medication” and believes his worth to the entertainment industry “is now irreparably damaged,” his lawyer wrote.