Updated December 08, 2017 15:53:31

Geoffrey Rush has filed defamation proceedings against The Daily Telegraph, which published allegations the actor behaved inappropriately towards a female cast member in a Sydney Theatre Company (STC) play.

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

"The Daily Telegraph has made false, pejorative and demeaning claims, splattering them with unrelenting bombast on its front pages.

"This has created irreparable damage to my reputation."

The first article airing claims that Mr Rush behaved inappropriately during a 2015 production of King Lear was published by the Daily Telegraph on November 30.

Mr Rush denied the allegations on that day, saying he had not been informed by the STC of the existence, or the nature, of the complaint.

The STC has not disclosed details of the allegation, but did say an allegation had been made.

A company spokesperson said the complainant requested that the allegation be dealt with confidentially, and did not want Rush notified or involved in any investigation.

More to come.

Topics: arts-and-entertainment, melbourne-3000, sydney-2000

First posted December 08, 2017 15:10:07