Visa said on Thursday that it is suspending its marketing with actor Morgan Freeman following sexual assault accusations.
“We are aware of the allegations that have been made against Mr. Freeman,” the company said. “At this point, Visa will be suspending our marketing in which the actor is featured.”
Vancouver public transportation system, TransLink, also said it paused the use of Freeman’s voice for transit announcements on Thursday. The city’s transit authority had teamed with Visa for an ad campaign using Freeman’s voice.
“In light of information we’ve learned this morning of allegations regarding actor Morgan Freeman, TransLink has decided to pause his voice announcements as part of a VISA ad campaign on our transit system,” TransLink said in a statement. “We will be reaching out to VISA to discuss further.”
Freeman was accused of sexual misconduct by eight women, including allegations of “unwanted touching” and harassment, in a report published Thursday by CNN.
The actor put out a statement apologizing to “anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected.”
“Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy,” Freeman said in a statement. “I apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected — that was never my intent.”
Freeman was announced as the voice of TransLink on May 22.