The CEO of Warner Brothers Entertainment Kevin Tsujihara has stepped down amid claims that he promised an aspiring actress roles while they were having an affair.
The Hollywood Reporter released leaked text messages purported to being between him and British actress Charlotte Kirk which revealed that he said he would put in a good word for her for auditions while they were having an affair.
The studio has hired a law firm to investigate the claims made against Tsujihara and his own lawyer has also said: "Mr Tsujihara had no direct role in the hiring of this actress."
Warner said: "Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the company's leadership expectations."
The actress appeared in two Warner Bros films: 2016's How to Be Single and 2018's Ocean's 8.
Alleged leaked text messages from Kirk to Tsujihara written in 2015 said: "Are u going to help me like u said u would?"
To which Tsujhara allegedly responded: "Richard will be reaching out to u tonight", referring to Richard Brener, president of Warner Bros' New Line label.
Kirk responded in a statement saying that she is "deeply saddened" to hear the news that he was stepping down and said she had nothing to do with the story being released.
"Our relationship ended many years ago. The release of the story by the Hollywood Reporter was nothing to do with me. In fact I tried to prevent it", she told Deadline.
"Whatever differences we may have had in the past were long since forgotten. I only wish him the best of success in his future endeavours."
