Fred Savage has been released from his roles as director and executive producer of “The Wonder Years” reboot after an investigation into alleged misconduct, several media outlets reported Friday.
Savage, 45, faced three separate allegations and cooperated with the investigation, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Premiering in September 2021, the revived version of “The Wonder Years” is produced by Disney Television Studios’ 20th Television, People reported. The show has not been renewed for a second season yet, according to Deadline, which was the first outlet to report the allegations.
Fred Savage Fired as Director and EP of The Wonder Years for Alleged 'Inappropriate Conduct' https://t.co/EFSLZjl14r
— People (@people) May 7, 2022
“Recently, we were made aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct by Fred Savage, and as is policy, an investigation was launched, “Wonder Years” producer 20th Television said in a statement. “Upon its completion, the decision was made to terminate his employment as an executive producer and director of ‘The Wonder Years.’”
Neither Savage nor a spokesperson responded to a request for comment.
Savage starred in the original version of “The Wonder Years,” playing the character of Kevin Arnold in 115 episodes from 1988 to 1993, according to IMDb.com. Elisha “EJ” Williams stars in the reboot, according to People.
Both series, which take place during the 1960s, are told from the perspective of a 12-year-old boy navigating life with family and friends, the magazine reported.
Savage was 12 when he was cast in the original series, and at 13 he received the first of two Emmy nominations for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series, Deadline reported. That made him the youngest actor nominated in the category, according to the website.
The allegations come four years after actress Alley Mills, who played Savage’s mother in the original series, alleged in 2018 that a sexual harassment lawsuit against the actor and Jason Hervey ended the show in 1993, People reported. Hervey played the role of Savage’s older brother in the series.
Costume designer Monique Long sued Savage and Hervey in 1993, according to Vanity Fair. Long claimed that the actors’ alleged verbal and physical harassment prevented her from properly doing her job and led to her being fired. Savage and Hervey were 16 and 20 at the time.
The lawsuit was ultimately settled and dropped, according to People.
In 2018, a judge dismissed a gender-based lawsuit against Savage from Youngjoo Hwang, a costume designer who alleged he created a hostile environment on the set of “The Grinder.” Savage denied the claims, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Savage issued a statement at the time, saying “none of the accusations being leveled at me are true,” the entertainment website reported.
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