LOS ANGELES, Nov. 1 (Xinhua) -- American director and producer Brett Ratner has been accused of sexual harassment or misconduct by six actresses, adding another name on the list of the powerful figures in Hollywood to be accused of sexual harassment.
Actress Natasha Henstridge, Olivia Munn, Jaime Ray Newman and three other actresses accused Ratner of a range of sexual harassment and misconduct that allegedly took place in private homes, on movie sets or at industry events, according to a report published Wednesday by Los Angeles Times.
"He strong-armed me in a real way. He physically forced himself on me," Henstridge described her encounter as a then 19-year-old fashion model with Ratner at his New York apartment in the early 1990s.
Henstridge who was known for movies like "Species", "Ghosts of Mars" and "The Whole Nine Yards" said that she was forced by Ratner to perform oral sex.
Olivia Munn told Los Angeles Times that while visiting the set of the 2004 Ratner-directed "After the Sunset" when she was still an aspiring actress, Ratner masturbated in front of her in his trailer when she went to deliver a meal.
Actress Jaime Ray Newman said Ratner put it more bluntly to her when she encountered Ratner on an Air Canada flight in 2005, explaining in vulgar terms that he needed sex.
Actresses Katherine Towne, Eri Sasaki, and Jorina King also described sexually charged run-ins with Ratner.
None of the women reported the allegations to the police after her encounter with Ratner.
Ratner denied the allegations to Los Angeles Times through his attorney Martin Singer.
"I have represented Mr. Ratner for two decades, and no woman has ever made a claim against him for sexual misconduct or sexual harassment," said Singer in a 10-page letter. "Furthermore, no woman has ever requested or received any financial settlement from my client."
Ratner is known for directing the "Rush Hour" film series, "The Family Man," "Red Dragon," "X-Men: The Last Stand," and "Tower Heist." He was also a producer on the Fox drama series "Prison Break," the comedy "Horrible Bosses" and its 2014 sequel.
