A French court on Tuesday handed actor Gérard Depardieu an 18-month suspended prison sentence after finding him guilty of sexually assaulting two women on the set of a film in 2021, as per Al Jazeera.
The 76-year-old star, who did not attend court for the verdict, will also be placed on France’s sex offenders registry.
The ruling marks a major moment in one of the country’s most high-profile Me Too cases. Depardieu, an internationally recognized figure who has appeared in more than 200 films and television series, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.
The charges stem from incidents during the filming of Les Volets Verts (The Green Shutters), directed by Jean Becker. The two women — a 54-year-old set decorator identified as Amelie K and a 34-year-old assistant director who remained unnamed — testified that Depardieu groped them and made explicit sexual comments.
The second woman testified that Depardieu first assaulted her while walking from his dressing room to the set. “It was nighttime … he put his hand on my buttocks,” she said, adding that he assaulted her two more times during the production.
Judge Thierry Donard said Depardieu’s defense lacked credibility and dismissed his claims that the conduct was misunderstood.
“I’m vulgar, rude, foul-mouthed, I’ll accept that,” Depardieu told the court, “but I don’t touch.”
He further described the Me Too movement as a “reign of terror,” and argued that placing a hand on someone’s bottom should not be considered sexual assault, claiming some women were “too easily shocked.”
Following the verdict, Amelie K’s lawyer praised the outcome as a “beautiful decision” that brought recognition to the victims.
Depardieu’s attorney announced plans to appeal the ruling.
Though more than 20 women have publicly accused Depardieu of sexual misconduct in recent years, this is the first case to reach trial.
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