Actor Geoffrey Rush is suing Sydney’s Daily Telegraph for defamation over claims of alleged inappropriate behaviour with female actor in a Sydney Theatre Company (STC) production.

The Telegraph first published the allegations on November 30, which allegedly occurred during a 2015 production of King Lear.

The Oscar-winning actor has denied the claims issuing a statement today that “This has created irreparable damage to my reputation”.

“It is an action I am taking in order to redress the slurs, innuendo and hyperbole they have created around my standing in the entertainment industry and greater community,” he said.

“The Daily Telegraph has made false, pejorative and demeaning claims – splattering them with unrelenting bombast on their front pages.”

Rush, 66, announced the legal action in Melbourne on Friday afternoon.

The actor resigned the president of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards after the allegations emerged and missed this week’s awards ceremony.

Today he said filed the defamation proceedings in the Federal Court.

“The situation is intolerable and I must now seek vindication of my good name through the courts,” he said.

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