Actor Fred Willard Arrested For Masturbating In Adult Movie Theater

[romantico]

The 72 year old actor was picked up by undercover vice cops after they spotted him masturbating in the adult theater on Santa Monica Boulevard. He was booked on a charge of lewd conduct at around 8:45 p.m. Wednesday and released shortly thereafter.

The Daily News points out that Willard is set to star in an upcoming film titled 'The Yank,' which is sure to lead to a slew of unfortunate jokes on the actor's behalf. But, in actuality, the comedy is actually about an Irish-American who travels back to Ireland to find love.


http://www.mediaite.com/online/actor-fred-willard-arrested-for-masturbating-in-adult-movie-theater/

[Wynbish]

[Bettyboy72]

Aren't there real crimes the police should be stopping? People masturbate in porn movie houses! Go figure.

I hope Fred usues his sense of humor to diffuse this. He has nothing to be ashamed of.

Law enforcement is a joke.

[artscallion]

I hope I'm still yanking it at 72. Good for him.

And Betty's right. What on earth do they think people do in porn houses...store the stimulation up and go home to release it? Go chase some real criminals.

[Reginald Tresilian]

So stupid. It's like arresting people for drinking in a bar.

[Bettyboy72]

Maybe he was doing research for a guest flick.

Those Groudlings sure love to spank in public.

[Playbilly]

Some sites are stating: "It was a quick release -- we're told he was out of police custody a short while later."

HAHAHAHA!! Quick release!!

[SNAFU]

Flash Mob Stroke off to protest!

[tazber]

I didn't know that porno theaters existed anymore.

I thought they went the way of the drive-in.

If there's anything to be embarrassed about it's paying for porn in the age of the internet.

SNAFU - where is the flash mob gathering?

[JoeKv99]

Well not that I have any (ahem) first-hand knowledge but I understood that porn theaters were a spot that one might meet an anonymous sexual partner for a quickie. Plus, they have popcorn.

[DAME]

The stupidity of it all. People go to that theater precisely for that. My suspicion is that someone recognized him as he was going in and saw it as a great opportunity to create scandal. Who cares?

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

With just about any kind of porn available at one's fingertips, is part of the allure of going to an Adult Movie Theatre that one might get caught?

[tazber]

Ah, good point Phyllis.

I didn't consider that "watching" porno in public was part of the appeal.

[Mister Matt]

The only reason there are any porn theaters left is for those who prefer to watch porn in the company of others. this was obviously a tip-off for tabloid fodder. Luckily, there is nothing about Willard's career that will especially marred by the news. If anything, it'll probably make him more popular. And at 72, why should he care? You go, Fred!

[JoeKv99]

I can't help but think this might be a publicity stunt.

[Playbilly]

Only wish it was Willard Romney who was caught...

[Jane2]

Oh lordy. What were those cops doing skulking around in there anyway.

Fred is one of my comic idols. I hope he gets a lot of material from this. (haha, pun intended)

[Reginald Tresilian]

Rob Delaney's tweet on the subject:

"Last year Fred Willard was arrested for ordering food at a restaurant"

[Mr Roxy]

You have to hand it to him.

[romantico]

I've always loved this scene from A MIGHTY WIND. No matter how many times I have seen it I cry every time. "Hey, Wha' Happened?!"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SHRFhfeLgY

[emlodik]

I never quite understood these types of arrest. What exactly are people supposed to do in a porn theatre, then?

[romantico]

Now this is stupid!

http://www.tmz.com/2012/07/19/fred-willard-pbs-fired-market-warriors/

[jv92]

It was not a "raid", it was a "random, walk through" to make sure no one was doing anything "lewd" like Willard. So I'm assuming everyone else there was just admiring the production values.

[SNAFU]

Unfortunately most contracts with networks have a morality clause. If you get caught doing something that can bring bad publicity to the show or network, you can be let go on the spot.

[sabrelady]

Which probably means either an end to his hosting of "Trust Us With Your Life" or the end of the show entirely. Probably the latter.

[FindingNamo]

"According to the email the network is telling affiliates not to air any of the unaired episodes featuring Willard."

There are some things I HATE about this country.