Trace Lysette plays Shea on Amazon Studios’ Transparent, one of my favorite shows. Lysette says the star of the show, Jeffrey Tambor, sexually harassed and assaulted her during the second season.
From The Hollywood Reporter:
According to Lysette, when she emerged from wardrobe in her costume — a salmon-colored lingerie top and matching short-shorts — Tambor remarked, “My God, Trace. I want to attack you sexually.” Alexandra Billings, the third actor in the scene, was present to hear the remark, she confirms. Both “laughed it off because it was so absurd,” Lysette says.
A few minutes later, while waiting for a camera setup between takes, Lysette was standing in a corner of the soundstage set. That’s when she says Tambor, dressed as Maura, wearing a green satin kimono and gray wig, approached her.
“He came in close, put his bare feet on top of mine so I could not move, leaned his body against me, and began quick, discreet thrust back and forth against my body. I felt his penis on my hip through his thin pajamas,” Lysette says.
Lysette pushed Tambor away and “rolled my eyes.” Billings was not present for this alleged incident, and several crewmembers were nearby “but they were focused on their jobs. It was discreet. If you were behind Jeffrey you might have thought he was giving me a hug.”
This is the second woman who has accused Tambor of sexually harassing her. Amazon Studios has opened an investigation into Tambor’s conduct.
Image: Trace Lysette as Shea on Transparent