Leaked Sony emails reveal Scott Rudin and Amy Pascal's racially insensitive exchanges about Obama

The producer apologized for racially tinged "humor" about the president in emails with the Sony Pictures co-chair

Published December 11, 2014 6:40PM (EST)

Scott Rudin, Amy Pascal      (AP/Evan Agostini/Jordan Strauss)
Scott Rudin, Amy Pascal (AP/Evan Agostini/Jordan Strauss)

In one of the latest exchanges of leaked emails between Sony executives, producer Scott Rudin and Sony Pictures co-chair Amy Pascal were revealed to have sent one another a series of racially insensitive emails about President Obama, mocking him for theoretically enjoying films with black actors. The exchange begins with Pascal asking Rudin, "What should I ask the president at this stupid Jeffrey breakfast?" according to BuzzFeed:

Rudin, a top film producer responsible for films like No Country for Old Men and Moneyball, responded, “Would he like to finance some movies.” Pascal replied, “I doubt it. Should I ask him if he liked DJANGO?” Rudin responded: “12 YEARS.” Pascal quickly continued down the path of guessing Obama preferred movies by or starring African Americans. “Or the butler. Or think like a man? [sic]”

Rudin’s response: “Ride-along. I bet he likes Kevin Hart.”

On Thursday, Rudin issued an apology in Deadline, taking ownership for the racist exchange:

“Private emails between friends and colleagues written in haste and without much thought or sensitivity, even when the content of them is meant to be in jest, can result in offense where none was intended,” he told Deadline. “I made a series of remarks that were meant only to be funny, but in the cold light of day, they are in fact thoughtless and insensitive — and not funny at all. To anybody I’ve offended, I’m profoundly and deeply sorry, and I regret and apologize for any injury they might have caused.”


By Jenny Kutner

MORE FROM Jenny Kutner


Related Topics ------------------------------------------

Amy Pascal Barack Obama President Obama Race Racism Scott Rudin Sony Hack Sony Leaks