Head of Paul Newman's famous charity is sacked over allegations of 'inappropriate behavior' by several staff members - 26 years after he was brought onboard by Hollywood star
- Bob Forrester took over as executive chairman in 2008 when the actor died
- A close friend of Newman, he was one of the first people to work with the charity
- He was sacked from his role at Newman's Own Foundation in recent weeks
- An investigation was launched after a colleague complained about his behavior
- Food company and foundation is then said to have discovered more allegations
- A spokesman confirmed the committee has appointed a new president and CEO
- The Academy Award winner established a policy that all proceeds, after taxes, were donated to charity with it now having donated more than $530 million
The head of Paul Newman's famous charity has been fired over allegations of 'inappropriate behavior' by several staff members - nearly 30 years after he was brought onboard by Hollywood star.
Bob Forrester, who took over as executive chairman in 2008 when the actor died, was sacked from his role at Newman's Own Foundation in recent weeks after a female member of staff complained about his behavior, Page Six reports.
After looking into that claim the food company and foundation is then said to have discovered further allegations from more employees.
Forrester was taken on by Newman in 1993 and went on to become close friends, Vanity Fair reports.
In a 2017 interview he said he told Newman he was the right person to keep the foundation exactly how Hollywood icon Newman would have wanted.
But a spokesman for the foundation, which raises money from the Newman’s Own food business, has now confirmed he has left the charity.
They told the DailyMail.com: 'An independent special committee of the board of directors of Newman's Own Foundation removed president and CEO Bob Forrester from his role with the foundation.'
Bob Forrester, right, took over as executive chairman in 2008 when Paul Newman, left, died
Newman’s Own food line started with salad dressing but now boasts 300 products, including sauces, popcorn, and wine. The Academy Award winner established a policy that all proceeds, after taxes, were donated to charity with it now having donated more than $530 million
Share this article
The charity confirmed the committee has appointed Jennifer Smith Turner as president and CEO on an interim basis.
The spokesman added: 'The special committee promptly took action after an independent investigation into allegations brought forward by employees regarding their experiences working at the foundation.
Bob Forrester, pictured in 2017, was sacked from at Newman's Own Foundation after a colleague complained about his behavior
'They are firm in the commitment to uphold the values and culture that Paul Newman established and there is no tolerance for unacceptable behavior.'
Newman’s Own food line started with salad dressing but now boasts 300 products, including sauces, popcorn, and wine.
The Academy Award winner, famed for films including Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, co-founded the company with writer A.E. Hotchner in 1982.
The philanthropist established a policy that all proceeds, after taxes, were donated to charity with it having donated more than $530 million around the world.
In 2015 Newman's daughter hit out at Forrester, claiming they have taken the family 'hostage'.
She told Vanity Fair: 'Some family members may be angry at me for speaking out, but I feel like the Newman family has been taken hostage by Bob Forrester.'
Her words came amid bitter dispute from Newman's will with Susan believing she and her four sisters had not received what they were entitled to.
Forrester could not be reached by the DailyMail.com and did not respond to Page Six.
