Barry Josephson, a well-known producer, has publicly apologized after emails he exchanged with the late Jeffrey Epstein came to light, revealing objectifying remarks about women and expressions of support for the disgraced financier. In a statement, Josephson acknowledged, “There’s no excuse for what I said in some of my emails.” He described the language used as “crude and juvenile” and expressed deep shame over his behavior.
Josephson clarified that while he attended social events with Epstein and the financier visited his film sets on two occasions, he never participated in any of Epstein’s more notorious activities, such as traveling on his private jet or visiting his island. Reflecting on his interactions with Epstein, Josephson expressed regret for having believed Epstein’s denials of wrongdoing. He admitted that he was “blinded” by Epstein’s connections, which included a diverse array of industry acquaintances.
The producer’s apology followed a report by Variety that scrutinized his relationship with Epstein, noting that he maintained ties with Epstein even after the latter’s guilty plea for procuring a minor for prostitution. An email from February 2011 revealed a shocking exchange in which Epstein solicited Josephson for recommendations of “amazing women” for an assistant position, to which Josephson responded with a description of a potential candidate using offensive language.
Other details from the report indicated that Josephson not only facilitated visits for Epstein’s associates, including young women, but also sought to assist them in securing auditions in Hollywood. Epstein reportedly provided financial support through personal loans, prompting Josephson to express gratitude for their friendship, even as he later condemned media portrayals of Epstein in books such as James Patterson’s “Filthy Rich.”
Overall, Josephson’s apology represents a critical step towards acknowledging and rectifying past mistakes within the entertainment industry, particularly regarding the handling of relationships with individuals like Epstein. The revelation has spurred conversations about accountability and the importance of reassessing connections to figures accused of serious wrongdoing.