Richards Apologizes to Civil Rights Leaders
By
WENN.com
|
Thursday, November 23, 2006
HOLLYWOOD - Disgraced comedian Michael Richards is reaching out to America's civil rights leaders to help him move on from a racist rant scandal following a moment of madness in a Los Angeles club.
The former Seinfeld star has hired top publicist Howard Rubinstein to help him approach cultural leaders and personally apologize for his angry remarks during an attack on two African-American hecklers at the Laugh Factory last week.
Rubinstein, who was hired yesterday according to Web site TMZ.com, reveals his new client has already spoken to black leaders Rev. Jesse Jackson and Rev. Al Sharpton in an effort to make amends for his scandalous remarks.
Rubinstein says, "He's appalled at what he did and wants to start the healing process. Whether it be an attack on any racial group... he acknowledges it's horrible and wrong and he will never do that again."
Rubinstein says the calls were received "positively" but Sharpton has already rebuked the comedian publicly, stating he could not accept Richards' apology on The Late Show with David Letterman.
Richards Told to Apologize to Audience Members Personally
Michael Richards has been told to personally apologize to the men he racially abused in a comedy club rant or risk a lawsuit.
The former Seinfeld star has publicly apologized for remarks he made about African-American hecklers Frank McBride and Kyle Doss during a performance at the Laugh Factory in Hollywood on Friday night--but their high-powered attorney is demanding the personal touch.
California legal eagle Gloria Allred gave the funnyman a serious message through news show Extra last night: "Meet with our clients... sit there and listen to them as they explain the pain.
"Saying, 'I'm sorry,' is simply not enough in a situation like this... You need to put your money where your mouth is."
Doss says, "What he said wasn't right... Words do mean things... No papers have been filed but I feel like he should be punished.
"I'm not trying to make this a black and white thing; I'm just trying to make this a right and wrong thing.
"He was trying to be hurtful and he was trying to be disrespectful and degrading."
Article Copyright Entertainment News Network All Rights Reserved.
Photo(s) by Ken Kwok- © 2000- Hollywood.com, Inc- All Rights Reserved
Bookmark this news story with:
News Archive