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LOS ANGELES (CNS) - Actor Jeffrey Tambor is apparently leaving his award- winning role on the Amazon Studios TV series ``Transparent'' in the wake of sexual harassment allegations, according to multiple reports.
``Playing Maura Pfefferman on 'Transparent' has been one of the greatest privileges and creative experiences of my life,'' Tambor wrote in a statement provided to Variety, The Hollywood Reporter and other media outlets on Sunday.``What has become clear over the past weeks, however, is that this is no longer the job I signed up for four years ago. I've already made clear my deep regret if any action of mine was ever misinterpreted as being aggressive, but the idea that I would deliberately harass anyone is simply and utterly untrue. Given the politicized atmosphere that seems to have afflicted our set, I don't see how I can return to 'Transparent'.''
The actor has been accused of inappropriate behavior by transgender cast member Trace Lysette, and by Tambor's former assistant Van Barnes, who also is transgender.
There had been earlier reports that series creator Jill Soloway was considering ways in which the show, which was renewed for a fifth season expected to start filming next year, might move on without Tambor.
Tambor received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in August of this year. He received Emmys for outstanding lead actor in a comedy series in 2015 and 2016 for his portrayal of retired college professor Mort Pfefferman, who comes out as transgender, on ``Transparent.''
Tambor also 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.