TV actor Isaiah Washington, the former Grey's Anatomy star who fell from grace after uttering an anti-gay slur, believes that ABC "fired the wrong guy."
In a rare interview since ABC sacked the 43-year-old actor, Washington shifted the blame to former castmate T.R. Knight — who was allegedly the subject of the epithet.
Former Grey's Anatomy castmates T.R. Knight, left, and Isaiah Washington, seen in August 2006. Washington, fired from the show, says he feels Knight stoked the uproar to raise his own status.
(Matt Sayles/Associated Press)
"I have to clear my name," Washington told the Houston Chronicle for an article published Thursday.
"I'll start from the beginning. I'm telling everything. So here's the truth," he said in a telephone interview from the set of his new movie, The Least of These.
According to Washington, he had initially uttered the remark last fall during an exchange with castmate Patrick Dempsey on the set of the medical drama — which details complicated relationships among Seattle surgeons — and promptly apologized for it.
However, news of the incident emerged in the press and drew criticism from gay-rights groups. Knight, who had not previously spoken publicly about his sexual orientation, later revealed his homosexuality on The Ellen DeGeneres Show and spoke about the situation. According to Knight, Washington had used the slur against him and everyone on set had heard it.
At the Golden Globe Awards in January, Washington denied he had directed the slur at Knight and was subsequently denounced again by activists and co-star Katherine Heigl.
After Washington issued a public apology for his comment, said he was seeking therapy and filmed a public service announcement about the power of hurtful words, ABC announced on June 7 that it was not renewing his contract.
The news came shortly after a Grey's Anatomy season finale in which Washington's cardiac surgeon character leaves his fiancée, played by Canadian actress Sandra Oh, at the altar. Oh's character later discovers that he has also cleared his most treasured belongings from their shared home.
Washington, who claims he is not homophobic, now says he feels Knight used the situation to enhance his own status on the show.
"I feel all this was about him getting a raise and getting his character to stop being perceived as a dopey, kooky kind of character. He perceives himself as a leading man. That's why you could see the change this past season," Washington told the Chronicle.
"I was used and I was exploited. I may be wrong but that's how I feel about it."
He also said he is considering a lawsuit over the ordeal.
Filming is set to begin on the new season of Grey's Anatomy in early July.
With files from the Associated PressRelated
More TV Headlines »
- No Price is Right for Rosie O'Donnell
- Rosie O'Donnell has changed her mind about filling Bob Barker's shoes on The Price is Right.
- CBC Radio wins Murrow award for North Korea feature
- CBC National Radio News has won an Edward R. Murrow National Award from the Radio-Television News Directors Association (RTNDA).
- Canadian film, TV group names Sara Morton as new chief
- A lawyer who helped implement Ontario's film and television tax credit program has been named the new chief of the industry group that administers Canada's annual Genie and Gemini Awards.
- NBC denies $1M US deal for Hilton interview
- U.S. broadcaster NBC's news division is fighting back against rumours that it has offered $1 million US for tabloid princess Paris Hilton's first post-prison interview.
- Fired Grey's Anatomy star offers his side of the story
- TV actor Isaiah Washington, the former Grey's Anatomy star who fell from grace after uttering an anti-gay slur, believes that ABC "fired the wrong guy."
More Arts Headlines »
- Scorched best play at Toronto's Dora awards
- Scorched was named outstanding play and We Will Rock You outstanding musical at the 28th annual Dora Mavor Moore Awards.
- No Price is Right for Rosie O'Donnell
- Rosie O'Donnell has changed her mind about filling Bob Barker's shoes on The Price is Right.
- Prize-winning ballerina among National Ballet promotions
- The National Ballet of Canada dancer who completed a competitive performance despite a serious injury to her partner has been rewarded with a promotion by the Toronto-based company.
- Bill Richardson to host CBC Radio Two weekend shows
- Bill Richardson, the popular host of Richardson's Roundup and Canada Reads, will become host of CBC Radio Two's flagship classical performance show.
- National museums group to administer $5M summer-hiring fund from Heritage Department
- The federal Heritage department has announced a funding initiative designed to help small and medium-sized museums across the country to hire summer student workers.
Arts Features
Blog Watch
Most Blogged about CBC.ca Articles
Note: CBC does not endorse and is not responsible for the content of external sites - link will open in new window
