Warner Bros. CEO Kevin Tsujihara Resigns Amid Sexual Misconduct Investigation
Following allegations about an affair with a young actress and his alleged intentions to help with her career within the studio by influencing casting, Kevin Tsujihara is exiting Warner Bros. where he served as CEO and chairman for the last six years.
Earlier this month, AT&T-owned Warnermedia announced a reorganization that will bring together the company’s family, kids, and animation efforts under a single Global Kids & Young Adults business. Tsujihara had been tasked with this consolidation effort that would have put him in charge of companies such as Cartoon Network, Boomerang, and Adult Swim, as well as Otter Media (home to Ellation Studios, Crunchyroll, Rooster Teeth, and VRV), and all activities around Warnermedia-licensed consumer products.
Warnermedia has not yet announced a replacement for the crucial position in the wake of Tsujihara’s departure, which now directly affects its animation divisions. It is expected to place an interim leadership team in charge as early as Tuesday.
“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 today. “Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the company’s leadership expectations and could impact the company’s ability to execute going forward.”
Warnermedia launched an investigation of the claims (still ongoing) after they were first revealed in an explosive Hollywood Reporter piece on March 6 that featured text messages exchanged between Tsujihara and British actress Charlotte Kirk, who would eventually be cast in bit roles in two Warner Bros. films: Ocean’s 8 and How to Be Single.
The new of Tsujihara’s exit come just a few days after he had apologized to staff via a statement. The executive has been credited with building on the studio’s most popular properties such as the franchises based on DC characters, the Lego animated features, and J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter universe, including being influential in her decision to create the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them film series based on her books.