Actor, Johnathon Schaech, Accuses Director Of Molestation!
The Vulnerable Actor Believed No Wasn't An Answer
The allegations of sexual wrongdoing continue to pour out of the woodwork. This time, they come from someone who I've constantly dreamed of!
Actor, Johnathon Schaech, has a long list of acting credits to his name, he's incredibly entertaining on social media, and there is no denying that he's one of the hunkiest actors I've seen in ages. It turns out this stranger who I've admired from my iPhone has been keeping a sad secret to himself for years. Since 1992, he's been silent that Sparrow Director, Franco Zeffirelli, 94, had molested him while filming in Italy.
According to People, Schaech, now 48-years-young and married to the incredibly beautiful and talented, Julie Solomon, had been taken advantage of as almost a rite of passage into the entertainment industry. He alleged that Zeffirelli would heavily drink and then begin knocking on his door late at night, desiring to spend the night with him. Although the accused director was in his 60s, Schaech still didn't feel safe turning away the advances, because at the time he was just a model and wanted to break into the entertainment industry. The starring role in Zeffirelli's film was to be his in. Schaech tells People:
"He molested me in my bed. He put his hands in places that I couldn’t even imagine and he did things that I am not proud of. But it’s not my fault. His pants never came off but I can see him fumbling with his belt. He attempted to give me oral sex. I just remember being like, ’God, please no. I’m OK, I’m OK.’ I did nothing. I just lay there in bed. It felt like four hours but it was probably like 30 seconds. In the moment, I don’t remember thinking, ’Oh no, my career, I have to do this.’ [Instead] I felt like it was a rite of passage, like I had to do it in a sense. I was vulnerable. I didn’t scream and yell. I didn’t physically stop him, and it took me 25 years to answer the question why not.”
Schaech goes on to tell that he's suffered alcohol and sexual addiction since his interactions with Zeffirelli. He stated Rose McGowan's bravery led him to finally come forward with these allegations.
Schaech also took to Instagram to share his story. He touches on holding in secrets, as he did with Ellen DeGeneres, being used as a beard for her on Hollywood red carpets.
God, I feel for Schaech. I just want to nurture the struggling man and rid him of the issues he is dealing with. It's an incredibly deep and powerful story. I can fully empathize being in his position of wanting to succeed.
Moving forward, hopefully his actions will encourage more to speak their truth. Sexual aggression in all industries needs to stop. Consequences must be met.
h/t: People
