Gérard Depardieu Accused of Rape by 22-Year-Old French Actress

Gérard Depardieu has been accused of rape by a 22-year-old French actress, judicial sources confirm (via BBC News). French news channel BFM reports the accusation against the 69-year-old actor was made on Monday.

The unnamed actress alleges Depardieu raped her at one of his Paris homes this month. The two allegedly knew each other before the reported crime took place. BFM reports the woman was studying at a school where Depardieu gives classes (via Variety). Depardieu’s lawyer released a statement saying the actor denies the accusation “absolutely.” The assault was first reported to police in Lambesc, France, after which it was passed to prosecutors in the capital.

Depardieu is a wildly prolific French actor, having starred in over 150 movies since his film debut in 1972. The actor recently appeared in the television series “Marseille,” which streamed on Netflix, and appeared in the films “The End” and “Tour de France.” Depardieu’s “To the Ends of the World” premiered this summer at Cannes in the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar.