UPDATE: Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017 at 3:40 p.m. EDT: Seth MacFarlane released a statement claiming the joke was made at the expense of Harvey Weinstein after a friend confided he’d acted inappropriately toward her.

With news of sexual harassment by film producer Harvey Weinstein dominating headlines, several stars have come forward to share their stories of abuse. Some in Hollywood are asserting that the harassment was widely known — and a joke that actor Seth MacFarlane made in 2013 appears to corroborate the claim.

In a follow-up to the explosive New York Times exposé that detailed decades of alleged sexual misconduct on the part of Weinstein, Seth MacFarlane was mentioned as once having made a joke about the former studio executive’s behavior. Video surfaced this week of the 2013 Academy Awards ceremony during which MacFarlane commented that nominees for Best Lead Actress no longer had to acquiesce to Weinstein’s advances.

“Congratulations,” MacFarlane said. “You five ladies no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein.”

Sally Field, Anne Hathaway, Jacki Weaver, Helen Hunt and Amy Adams were nominated in the category. The comment was made as MacFarlane stood next to fellow presenter Emma Stone. The audience could be heard laughing.

MacFarlane on Wednesday released a statement about the joke, claiming it was made at the expense of Harvey Weinstein after a friend confided he’d acted inappropriately toward her.

“In 2011, my friend and colleague Jessica Barth, with whom I worked on the Ted films, confided in me regarding her encounter with Harvey Weinstein and his attempted advances,” he wrote. “She has since courageously come forward to speak out. It was with this account in mind that, when I hosted the Oscars in 2013, I couldn't resist the opportunity to take a hard swing in his direction.”

He continued: “Make no mistake, this came from a place of loathing and anger. There is nothing more abhorrent and indefensible than abuse of power such as this. I respect and applaud my friend Jessica and those sharing their stories for their decision to come forward, and for being champions of the truth.”

In addition to the testimonies of several women who claim they were sexually harassed by Weinstein, Glassdoor reviews of the Weinstein Company also appeared to show that a culture of harassment was rampant.

One individual wrote that employees “were a little scared of Harvey,” while another wrote that “sexual harassment was the norm.”

Rose McGowan alleged on Twitter Tuesday that several individuals in Hollywood knew of Weinstein’s alleged abuses and did nothing to prevent them. After actor Ben Affleck made a public statement in which he said he was “saddened and angry” by the news, McGowan alleged that she had spoken him directly about her experience with the producer.

“‘GODDAMNIT! I TOLD HIM TO STOP DOING THAT’ you said that to my face,” she tweeted at Affleck. “The press conf I was made to go to after assault. You lie.”

Prior to that tweet, McGowan wrote: “Ben Affleck fuck off.”

RELATED STORIES