Richard Dreyfuss’s Family Turmoil: Son Ben Unveils Deep Estrangement and MeToo Roots

In a series of candid social media posts, Ben Dreyfuss, son of legendary Oscar-winning actor Richard Dreyfuss, has pulled back the curtain on a deeply fractured family relationship. The journalist’s revelations paint a complex picture of a father-son estrangement, financial struggles, and the seismic impact of the #MeToo movement within their lives.

Dispelling assumptions about inherited wealth, Ben Dreyfuss revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that neither he nor his siblings receive financial support from their famous father. “Everyone assumes my siblings and I are wealthy from our dad and we’re all a bit too uncomfortable to make it clear, but we have no money from my dad,” he wrote. He further claimed, “My dad has no money. If he did, we wouldn’t get it since we’ve been estranged ever since some complicated family drama to do with MeToo.”

The MeToo Connection: A Catalyst for Estrangement

The roots of this profound estrangement, according to Ben, trace back several years to an incident linked to the #MeToo movement. At the time, Ben Dreyfuss was allegedly managing his father’s social media. He posted a message of support for his younger brother, Harry Dreyfuss, who had bravely come forward with allegations of sexual assault against actor Kevin Spacey.

This act of familial solidarity, however, had unforeseen consequences. Ben recounted that his tweet prompted another individual to make their own #MeToo allegations against his father, Richard Dreyfuss. “He blames us for that,” Ben stated, highlighting the profound division this caused. “This led to years of acrimony.”

Harry Dreyfuss’s Allegations Against Kevin Spacey

The allegations by Harry Dreyfuss against Kevin Spacey emerged in 2017, detailed in a self-written account published on BuzzFeed. Harry alleged that Spacey groped him at the age of 18 in 2008, while his father, Richard Dreyfuss, was in the room. Richard was reportedly unaware of the incident at the time, which occurred during rehearsals for Spacey’s 2009 production of the play “Complicit.”

Kevin Spacey’s career was significantly impacted by multiple sexual assault allegations, notably those made by Anthony Rapp in 2017. While Spacey has faced numerous legal battles, he was acquitted of nine charges in a London trial in July 2023, yet continues to face civil suits.

Richard Dreyfuss and Past Allegations

Beyond Harry’s claims, Ben Dreyfuss also referred to unnamed women’s sexual misconduct allegations against Richard Dreyfuss that further strained their relationship. Richard Dreyfuss had previously denied claims made by writer Jessica Teich in the mid-1980s, who alleged harassment and indecent exposure.

“The woman who MeToo’d my dad I think had a very stupid idiot story, but it didn’t matter because it was right around that time when all of this was going on crazy,” Ben explained, reflecting on the tumultuous period. “Anyways, it all led to fights for years and then in 2022, it blew up to the point of [not] speaking anymore.”

A Son’s Plea for Attention and Transparency

Ben Dreyfuss admits to having spent years trying to mend the fractured relationship, but concluded that the “Jaws” star is unwilling to meet him halfway. “I’m tired of being quiet about it,” he declared, adding, “I encourage you if you meet my father to ask him for his version. I’m curious to know what it is.”

His motivation, he clarified, wasn’t for sympathy. “I mostly posted it because I was tired of not talking about it and wanted to rip the Band-aid off. But on a deeper level, I probably just posted it to get my father’s attention.” This poignant revelation offers a rare glimpse into the personal struggles behind the glare of Hollywood fame, underscoring the enduring human desire for connection and resolution.

If you or someone you know is a survivor of sexual assault, confidential support is available. Please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800.656.HOPE (4673) or visit hotline.rainn.org/online.