What was initially billed as a delightful and intimate evening, a screening of "Jaws" in Beverly accompanied by none other than Richard Dreyfuss, took an unexpected turn this weekend. According to eyewitnesses, the actor embarked on a divisive tirade, filled with transphobic, misogynistic, homophobic, and sexist sentiments.
Sarah Hogg and her partner, Jonah Hoffmann, were among the eager audience members gathered at The Cabot theater in Beverly for "An Evening With Richard Dreyfuss + Jaws Screening" on Saturday. It seemed like the perfect celebration for Hoffmann's birthday—not only watching his favorite film but also having the rare opportunity to meet and greet the legendary actor before the show, a privilege that came with a hefty price tag of approximately $300 per ticket.
"We were eagerly anticipating hearing Richard Dreyfuss speak about his experiences filming 'Jaws,' sharing insights into what it was like behind the scenes and his journey in Hollywood," Hogg recounted on Monday. "But the reality of the evening was far from what we had imagined."
According to interviews with attendees and social media posts recounting the event, Dreyfuss's speech quickly deteriorated into a hateful rant, railing against women in the film industry, the MeToo movement, and LGBTQ rights. The evening left many in the audience shaken, with some choosing to leave in disgust while others regretted not doing so sooner. The atmosphere was tense, and the beloved actor's divisive words echoed in the theater, casting a shadow over what was meant to be a joyful and celebratory evening.
