Actor Fred Willard Fired From PBS Show After Arrest For Lewd Acts In Public
HOLLYWOOD (CBS) — Actor Fred Willard has been fired from the PBS show "Market Warriors" just hours after his arrest on a lewd conduct charge, according to CBS News.
"Given the unfortunate news reported today, effective immediately Fred Willard no longer will be involved with the Market Warriors series. Mark Walberg of the Antiques Roadshow will re-narrate the shows that have been produced so far," Jeanne Hopkins of WGBH Boston said in a statement.
Willard is facing a misdemeanor charge of engaging in a lewd act after being arrested outside an adult club in Hollywood.
Hollywood vice officers arrested Willard outside the Tiki Theater at 5462 Santa Monica Blvd. around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday, Los Angeles Police Department officials said.
According to TMZ.com, officers caught the 78-year-old watching an adult movie with his pants down.
"With all do respect to the individual officer, our belief is that Fred did nothing in any violation of any law. We will be working vigorously to clear his name in this matter," Willard's lawyer, Paul Takakjian, said in a statement.
An employee at the Tiki Theater, a 24-hour adult business, told CBS2 that undercover police came to the business twice Wednesday night and arrested an adult male.
Willard was cited and posted $500 bail. He was released from police custody at 5:34 a.m. Thursday.
Willard is best known for his roles in movies A Mighty Wind, Best In Show, Anchorman: The Legend Of Ron Burgundy, and American Wedding.
He also earned three Emmy nominations for his recurring role as "Hank MacDougall" on Everybody Loves Raymond.
