Rita Wilson Claims Scott Rudin Tried To 'Find A Way' To Fire Her After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Rita Wilson is getting candid about her working experience with Oscar-winning producer Scott Rudin, who was dragged into the spotlight this month for his alleged abusive behavior.

In a story published in The New York Times, Wilson, 64, and many others who have worked with Rudin opened up about their experience with the embattled producer, 62. The "Sleepless in Seattle" star was working with Rudin on the Broadway play "Fish in the Dark" in 2015 when she learned that she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Wilson shared with the outlet Rudin's reaction to news of her cancer diagnosis, saying, "He complained that she would need time off during Tony voting season and asked to see her medical records, while Anna Shapiro, the director, grew upset about having to find a replacement."

A few days later, before the play premiered, Wilson received a call from her agent, who told her that her surgeon "needed to call the insurance adjuster" as soon as possible because Rudin demanded it, per the report. "The memory still pains her," the outlet continued.

Rudin's reaction alarmed Wilson, who felt that he was scaring and bullying her. She added that Rudin made her felt she was "replaceable."

"I felt like he was trying to find a way to fire me legally," she continued. "He is the kind of person who makes someone feel worthless, unvaluable and replaceable."

A spokesperson for Rudin, Rick Miramontez, told The New York Times that "his recollection was that Ms. Wilson had wanted to open the show and then leave, but that he and the director had not wanted her to delay treatment."

Meanwhile, director Anna Shapiro told the publication that she was trying to help them and immediately apologized when she learned that her reaction unintentionally upset Wilson.

Earlier this week, Rudin announced that he would be stepping back from his film projects, on top of pulling out from his Broadway productions, after he was accused by several former staffers of alleged abusive behavior.

"I am stepping back from my film and streaming projects in addition to my work on Broadway," Rudin said in a statement Tuesday obtained by Deadline. "I am doing so to take the time to work on personal issues I should have long ago. When I commented over the weekend, I was focused on Broadway reopening successfully and not wanting my previous behavior to detract from everyone's efforts to return. It's clear to me I should take the same path in film and streaming."

"I am profoundly sorry for the pain my behavior has caused and I take this step with a commitment to grow and change," he added.