Actor Jeff Garlin has left the ABC sitcom ‘The Goldbergs’ amid allegation of on-set misconduct and an ongoing HR investigation. According to reports, Garlin’s departure, effective immediately, was reportedly a mutual decision between the show and himself. ‘The Goldbergs’ are in the middle of filming their ninth season; it’s unclear how the show will handle the departure of the actor who played the patriarch of the show’s titular family.

No formal allegations against Garlin have been made public; however, rumors about his workplace conduct have been circulating for some time, and three former ‘The Goldbergs’ employees recently told Vanity Fair that the actor allegedly engaged in a verbal and physical conduct that made people uncomfortable.

Garlin also spoke with Vanity Fair and denied rumors at the time that he’d been fired, but confirmed he’d been under HR investigations for three years. Garlin said that the issue was a “difference of opinion” between himself and Sony: “My opinion is, I have my process about how I’m funny, in terms of the scene and what I have to do. They feel that it makes for a quote ‘unsafe’ workspace. Now, mind you, my silliness making an unsafe workspace — I don’t understand how that is. And I’m on a comedy show. I am always a kind and thoughtful person. I make mistakes, sure. But my comedy is about easing people’s pain. Why would I ever want to cause pain in anybody for a laugh? That’s bullying. That’s just uncalled for.” Garlin was also asked about the allegations that he made people uncomfortable by touching and hugging them. “If I hug someone, and they feel uncomfortable from it, they have every right to even go to HR,” Garlin said. “But HR has never said a word to me about hugs. Just so we’re clear on that.”

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