In a disappointing turn of events, The Cabot theater in Beverly, Massachusetts, has issued an apology after attendees of a screening of Jaws were subjected to alleged sexist and homophobic comments from actor Richard Dreyfuss over the Memorial Day weekend.

The event, "An Evening With Richard Dreyfuss + Jaws Screening," was expected to provide amusing and insightful anecdotes from the legendary actor about filming the iconic Steven Spielberg action blockbuster. Instead, Dreyfuss went on a freeform rant that reportedly began with remarks about Barbra Streisand and then delved into his discriminatory perspectives on trans youth, the Academy Awards' inclusivity rules, and trans kids affirming their gender.

Social media posts from individuals in attendance revealed their disappointment and outrage, with some even choosing to leave the event. Attendee "Rogue Mama" expressed their concerns on X.com, stating, "Came here to see if Richard Dreyfuss had been canceled tonight after appearing at #TheCabot in Beverly." Another attendee sarcastically suggested renaming the event to "An Evening of Misogyny and Homophobia With Richard Dreyfuss. Disappointing doesn't even begin to cover it."

The backlash continued on the venue's Facebook page, with one person sharing, "We walked out of his interview tonight along with hundreds of others because of his racist homophobic misogynistic rant." Another commenter condemned Dreyfuss' comments as "disgusting" and "offensive."

Reacting to the public outcry, The Cabot theater issued a written apology, acknowledging the seriousness of the situation. In a statement obtained by The Hollywood Reporter, the venue stated, "We are aware of, and share serious concerns, following the recent event with Richard Dreyfuss prior to a screening of the film Jaws at The Cabot. The views expressed by Mr. Dreyfuss do not reflect the values of inclusivity and respect that we uphold as an organization. We deeply regret the distress that this has caused to many of our patrons."

The theater took full responsibility for the oversight in not anticipating the direction of the conversation and the discomfort it caused. The venue reassured patrons that they are actively engaged in discussions with attendees to understand their experiences and learn from this incident in order to better fulfill their mission of entertaining, educating, and inspiring the community.

This is not the first time Dreyfuss has faced criticism for inappropriate conduct and language. Attendees of a similar event at The Music Hall in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, also voiced their dissatisfaction, describing his behavior as sexist and mean.

In May 2023, Dreyfuss made remarks on PBS similar to those he expressed at The Cabot regarding the Film Academy's inclusion rules. The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Dreyfuss' representative for comment on the recent incident, as well as The Cabot staff for further remarks.

As the fallout from this incident continues, it serves as a reminder that public figures must be mindful of the impact of their words and the importance of promoting inclusivity and respect in all aspects of their public engagements.