Isaiah Washington Apologizes, Admits Conduct Unacceptable, Will Seek Help
Under fire by both ABC and gay leaders, Isaiah Washington has apologized for what he called his "unacceptable in any context" comments about gay co-star T.R. Knight at Golden Globe Awards Monday night.
"I can neither defend nor explain my behavior," Washington said in a statement, according to People. "I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help."
Apologizing to "T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community," Isaiah Washington said he "marred what should have been a perfect night" for Grey's Anatomy and hurt both Knight and "everyone who has struggled for the respect so many of us take for granted.
"T.R.'s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity," Washington said.
Washington, who plays Dr. Preston Burke on the hit ABC show, denied in the pressroom at the Golden Globes on Monday that he ever used a gay slur in reference to Knight.
"No, I did not call T.R. a faggot," said Washington. "Never happened, never happened."
But during an appearance Wednesday on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Knight said that Washington did use the word during an on-set argument with co-star Patrick Dempsey in October.
"He referred to me as a faggot," he told DeGeneres. "Everyone heard it."
Neil Giuliano, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD), said Thursday night that Washington "has scheduled a meeting with us for early next week, and we look forward to exploring opportunities for moving forward and healing some of the wounds of the past four months."
Earlier GLAAD had demanded that Washington apologize for his actions. Some fans have also circulated a petition online to have the actor fired.
ABC has responded by saying that Washington's remarks at the Golden Globe Awards were unacceptable and are being addressed.
"We have a long standing policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees," the network said in a statement.
"We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, language that he himself deemed 'unfortunate' in his previous public apology. We take this situation very seriously. His actions are unacceptable and are being addressed."
January 19th, 2007 8:21 AM
Thank you, Isaiah, for being man enough to apologize, yet again, for one word uttered in anger and not directed at TR or any other gay person. I hope that the haters will turn their attention to someone more worthy of that emotion. I don't know if ABC/Touchstone will think it is enough for you to publicly apologize, face your castmates so that they can all tell you how they feel (hopefully you will get your chance to tell them how you feel as well), and seek counseling of some sort for uttereing one word, one time, not directed at anyone gay, and then trying to defend yourself against a constant barrage of gay friendly media. Hopefully you will be able to remain on GA because you are far more than a support character. You are 1/2 of one of the most interesting couples on television and no one else can embody that character the way that you have. You have helped to create him from the start. I hope that anyone who loves this character and respects this actor inspite of one word uttered in anger, one time on a closed set, and not intended to wound or hurt anyone, will put messages on whatever online boards they have access to in support of Isaiah, because there are head hunters out there who have once again blown this whole thing completely out of proportion to what was originally said and done. He needs our support and he certainly has mine.
January 19th, 2007 9:31 AM
"...for being man enough to apologize, yet again, for one word uttered in anger and not directed at TR or any other gay person."
What planet do you live on? At whom it was directed, Patrick?
January 19th, 2007 9:51 AM
This is one fan who WILL quit watching if IW is asked to leave. He is the only one who can play Dr. Burke and does so exceptionally. I agree, BB, this has been blown completely out of proportion - these people are coworkers for heavens sake and every now and then coworkers clash - it doesn't mean folks should be calling for his resignation as I heard on my radio station this morning. What is wrong with this world - people make mistakes every now and then.....eveyone needs to get over it and get back to work.
January 19th, 2007 10:12 AM
This happened two times (that we know of), and second time it wasn't a mistake, it was on purpose. Please keep in mind that he also made some comments on the red carpet prior to the event, and that TR himself said nothing happened, when they were asked about it during press conference, but then Mr. Washington stepped in and performed his stunt.
I guess turning a blind eye on all of this and ignoring facts makes it easier to look at ourselves in the mirror.
Oh, the ignorance...
January 19th, 2007 10:51 AM
I am a very big fan of GA. I am also a very big fan of TR and IW. Being a fan shouldn't mean that we turn a deaf ear to one's mistakes either. I believe IW has some issues with the gay community that he needs to address and resolve and he does not need to take his frustrations out on TR. I also believe the media is blowing this way out of porpotion. We live in a society that is hyper-sensitive to everything. I think we have a tendency to allow the media guide our thoughts as to how we should think and feel about any subject matter. I don't think IW should be forced to resign, but I do think he needs to take some time to seek some help and resolve his issues. I think he needs to do more than apologize to TR. IW of all people should no better than to make descriminatory, gratuitous comments about one's sexual preference when he himself has experienced his own discriminations for his ethnicity. We have a forgiving society. I think he should take some time to redeem himself. I don't think he needs to kiss the public's bottom. This is between TR and IW.
January 19th, 2007 11:15 AM
i believe it was blown out of proportion as well. i am in no way condoning his choice of words, however, i do feel the situation should have remained in the workplace and not leaked out to the public. the media created this frenzy and amplified everyone's emotions surrounding it. IW is being crucified for goodness sakes. he has tried to make amends more than once, albeit his manner in doing so was more than questionable. nonetheless numerous apologies were given. i think these last comments which include the denial were his attempt to lay the media scrutiny to rest. (hopefully his private apologies to TRK and PD acknowledged his mistake and were heartfelt and sincere.) however, KH and TRK's public comments have heightened the situation yet again. as far owing the entire gay community an apology, that's just ridiculous. this is between the 3 actors involved and no one else. everyone else needs to just let it be, let them be, and enjoy the show. if there is any more said he truly will be in danger of losing his job and that would be a terrible, awful thing. he is a wonderful actor and preston burke is IW. no one could fill his shoes on grey's anatomy.
and please don't hurt me because of my comments -- i'm little! lol ;)
January 19th, 2007 11:41 AM
well i am glad that IW is once again apoligizes and he is going to do what he needs to inorder to make this okay....
Now lets all concentrate on the show...........
January 19th, 2007 11:53 AM
This has been said before, but I wonder how Burke Backer would have reacted if someone had called Isaiah Washington or spoken about him in a racist fashion...
January 19th, 2007 12:01 PM
Sorry, but this whole thing is NOT of the media's making. Last October's frakas was laid to rest until IW stupidly gave it the light of day again on Monday night at the GG's and out and out lied on top of it. KH was right, he should not speak in public. I'm tired of this kind of behavior from people who should know better. An apology is great the first time something happens, but not the second time. I don't know whether IW should be fired over it, but I don't think it would be a great loss to the show if he was. I know others feel differently, and I respect your views. Obviously, some of you think his actions were no big deal. But for many of us, his remarks are very hurtful and demeaning. Not something you just "get over."
And please also notice that his apology only came after been officially chastised by ABC and he realized his job might be on the line. That's about as insincere an apology as I've ever heard. A forced apology has no meaning.
January 19th, 2007 1:43 PM
I'm glad he apologized. I know people are hurt, but we as fans of the show need to start taking steps forward too and not continue to argue the subject. I heard on the news that people are boycotting the show until he's fired. People, TR is suffering too if the show isn't being watched. We shouldn't penalize such a talented cast and crew for this. I know its a big deal, but the worst thing we can do is blow it up even bigger. We need to let them move on!