Jeffrey Tambor Officially Off 'Transparent' Amid Abuse Claims

LOS ANGELES, CA — Actor Jeffrey Tambor, who became the target of multiple sexual misconduct allegations, will not return to his Emmy-winning role on Amazon's transgender comedy series "Transparent," officials confirmed Thursday.

Tambor, who won Emmys for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series in 2015 and 2016 for his cross-dressing role of Mort/Maura Pfefferman on "Transparent," was accused last year of misconduct by transgender cast member Trace Lysette and his former assistant Van Barnes, who is also transgender.

He issued a statement in November questioning whether he would be able to return to the show "given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set." Amazon officials confirmed to various media outlets Thursday that Tambor, 73, would not be returning for the show's fifth season.

Series creator Jill Soloway issued a statement saying, "I have great respect and admiration for Van Barnes and Trace Lysette, whose courage in speaking out about their experience on `Transparent' is an example of the leadership this moment in our culture requires. We are grateful to the many trans people who have supported our vision for `Transparent' since its inception and remain heartbroken about the pain and mistrust their experience has generated in our community. We are taking definitive action to ensure our workplace respects the safety and dignity of every individual, and are taking steps to heal as a family."

Tambor issued a statement later Thursday, saying he was "profoundly disappointed" in the handling of the "false accusations against me." He also said he was disappointed in Soloway's "unfair characterization of me as someone who would ever cause harm to any of my fellow cast mates."

"In our four-year history of working together on this incredible show, these accusations have never been revealed or discussed directly with me or anyone at Amazon," he said. "Therefore, I can only surmise that the investigation against me was deeply flawed and biased toward the toxic politicized atmosphere that afflicted our set."

"As I have consistently stated, I deeply regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted by anyone and I will continue to vehemently defend myself. I also deeply regret that this groundbreaking show, which changed so many lives, is now in jeopardy. That, to me, is the biggest heartbreak."

Prior to his work on "Transparent," Tambor received four supporting actor in a comedy series Emmy nominations for his portrayal of sidekick Hank Kingsley on the 1992-98 HBO series "The Larry Sanders Show," and two Emmy nods in the category for his work on "Arrested Development," the first for portraying family patriarch George Bluth Sr. and the second for playing both that character and his identical twin Oscar.

Tambor's other television credits include a supporting role on the 1979-80 ABC comedy "The Ropers." His film credits include "And Justice for All," "Meet Joe Black," "There's Something About Mary," "City Slickers," "Miss Congeniality," all three "The Hangover" movies and both "Hellboy" films.

City News Service; Actor Jeffrey Tambor (Photo by Neilson Barnard/Getty Images for Ketel One Vodka)