Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara sent an email on Friday to the company’s staff, where he wrote that he deeply regrets mistakes that he’s made in his life after a report about his ties to actress Charlotte Kirk was published earlier this week.
On Wednesday, Warner Bros. parent company WarnerMedia said it would further investigate ties between Tsujihara and Kirk after The Hollywood Reporter published what it said were texts between them indicating a sexual relationship and that she asked him to help with her career.
“I also deeply regret that these personal actions have caused embarrassment to the company and to all of you. I realized some time ago you are right to expect more from me and I set a course to do better,” Tsujihara said in his email on Friday. “Following these most recent news reports, the company will again work with a third-party law firm to review the situation, and I will cooperate fully with this investigation. Please don’t let my mistakes become a distraction.”
Warner Bros. first investigated whether there was any impropriety in Kirk’s casting in 2017 at Tsujihara’s request, according to an individual with knowledge of the investigation. The company looked into whether Kirk unfairly got roles in films because of a relationship with Tsujihara. Both Tsujihara and Kirk denied any wrongdoing.
THR reported that billionaire James Packer introduced Tsujihara and Kirk in 2013 when she was 21. It also said that an “increasingly desperate struggle” ensued among Tsujihara, Packer and director Brett Rather to “manage Kirk’s urgent demands to be cast in movies and TV series.” THR said Ratner, at one point, accused her of “extortion.”
Since meeting Tsujihara in 2013, Kirk has appeared in two Warner Bros. films: “Ocean’s 8” and “How to Be Single.”
THR published what it said was a March 3, 2015 text where Kirk texted Tsujihara: “You’re very busy I know but when we were in that motel having sex u said u would help me and when u just ignore me like you’re doing now it makes me feel used. Are u going to help me like u said u would?”
The story comes at a critical juncture for Tsujihara, who is set to take on a larger role at WarnerMedia following AT&T’s $85.4 billion acquisition of Time Warner.
Read Tsujihara’s full email below:
Dear Colleagues,
By now, you’ve all seen the news reports from earlier this week.
I deeply regret that I have made mistakes in my personal life that have caused pain and embarrassment to the people I love the most. I also deeply regret that these personal actions have caused embarrassment to the company and to all of you. I realized some time ago you are right to expect more from me and I set a course to do better. That journey continues.
I am so proud of the great work you do every day. Together, we have built a company that is the gold standard in our industry. Warner Bros.’ culture is as important to our success as our business model. We need to continue the hard work we’ve done over the years to create a workplace where everyone feels included and heard. To that end, I’ve asked HR to make additional accommodations if anyone needs to talk.
Since WarnerMedia’s leadership became aware of details surrounding this situation some time ago, it has carefully reviewed the matter and handled appropriately, including having engaged a third-party law firm to conduct a series of inquiries. Following these most recent news reports, the company will again work with a third-party law firm to review the situation, and I will cooperate fully with this investigation.
Please don’t let my mistakes become a distraction. It’s important that we all stay focused on our work–and part of that is creating a culture and company of which we can all be proud. Thank you all for everything you do to make that happen every day.