Kevin Tsujihara Exits Warner Bros. Amid Sex Scandal
Six years after ascending to the rank of chairman and CEO of Warner Bros. Entertainment, Kevin Tsujihara is exiting the company. “It is in the best interest of WarnerMedia, Warner Bros., our employees and our partners for Kevin to step down as Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros.,” WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey said in a statement. The move comes amid a scandal stemming from allegations that Tsujihara used his position to advance the career of an actress he was in a sexual relationship with.
Stankey added, “Kevin has contributed greatly to the studio’s success over the past 25 years and for that we thank him. Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the Company’s leadership expectations and could impact the Company’s ability to execute going forward.”
Charlotte Kirk, the actress in question, appeared in Warner Bros.’ “How to Be Single” and “Ocean’s 8” in addition to receiving auditions for several other projects at the studio; Tsujihara’s attorney said that the executive “had no direct role in the hiring of this actress.” Tsujihara is married to Sandy Tsujihara, with whom he has two children.
Tsujihara wrote the following memo to his colleagues:
Dear Colleagues,
Over the past week and a half, I have been reflecting on how the attention on my past actions might impact the company’s future. After lengthy introspection, and discussions with John Stankey over the past week, we have decided that it is in Warner Bros.’ best interest that I step down as Chairman and CEO.
I love this company and the people that make it so great. I’ve been honored to head this organization and work alongside all of its talented employees over the past 25 years. Together we’ve built this studio into an unequivocal leader in the industry.
However, it has become clear that my continued leadership could be a distraction and an obstacle to the company’s continued success. The hard work of everyone within our organization is truly admirable, and I won’t let media attention on my past detract from all the great work the team is doing.
I am overwhelmed and grateful for the outpouring of support I have received from colleagues and industry partners during this difficult time.
Again, I am so proud of the great work that you do every day to make Warner Bros. the gold standard in our industry. It has been a pleasure to work alongside each and every one of you, and I wish you all the absolute best.
Sincerely,
Kevin
