'Not A Predator:’ Jeffrey Tambor Defends Sexual Misconduct Accusation From Trace Lysette

Jeffrey Tambor defended himself after his "Transparent" co-star Trace Lysette accused him of sexual misconduct, saying the 73-year-old star "made many sexual advances and comments at me, but one time it got physical."

Responding to the allegations, which are not the first that have been brought to light, Tambor said he has "never been a predator."

"For the past four years, I've had the huge privilege — and huge responsibility — of playing Maura Pfefferman, a transgender woman, in a show that I know has had an enormous, positive impact on a community that has been too long dismissed and misunderstood. Now I find myself accused of behavior that any civilized person would condemn unreservedly," he told USA Today. "I know I haven't always been the easiest person to work with. I can be volatile and ill-tempered, and too often I express my opinions harshly and without tact. But I have never been a predator — ever."

Tambor continued, "I am deeply sorry if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone as being sexually aggressive or if I ever offended or hurt anyone. But the fact is, for all my flaws, I am not a predator and the idea that someone might see me in that way is more distressing than I can express."

On Thursday, Lysette issued a statement to the Hollywood Reporter where she claimed Tambor "acted inappropriate to me."

"Jeffrey has made many sexual advances and comments at me, but one time it got physical," she alleged. "My back was against the wall in a corner as Jeffrey approached me. He came in close, put his bare feet on top of mine so I could not move, leaned his body against me, and began quick, discreet thrusts back and forth against my body. I felt his penis on my hip through his thin pajamas and I pushed him off of me. Again, I laughed it off and rolled my eyes. I had a job to do and I had to do it with Jeffrey, the lead of our show."

Lysette said the "physical" incident took place while filming a scene with Tambor in the show's second season. Amazon Studios initiated an investigation into the allegations against Tambor.

Earlier this month, a private Facebook post from the actor's former assistant, a transgender woman named Van Barnes, accused Tambor of inappropriate behavior.

The post, which reportedly did not directly name Tambor, claimed an employer gave "butt pats," played pornography at loud volumes and made comments like, "I should be sleeping with him if I want a Hollywood industry-appropriate pay grade."

At the time, Tambor responded, saying “I am aware that a former disgruntled assistant of mine has made a private post implying that I had acted in an improper manner toward her. I adamantly and vehemently reject and deny any and all implication and allegation that I have ever engaged in any improper behavior toward this person or any other person I have ever worked with. I am appalled and distressed by this baseless allegation.”