Hollywood and media personalities took to Twitter Thursday to react to now-former NBC News star Matt Lauer’s firing with a mixture of shock and approval.
Celebrities including Olivia Munn, Kathy Griffin, Andy Richter, and Chrissy Teigen all weighed in on Lauer’s firing on their social media accounts.
Rose McGowan — who has been one of the most vocal advocates for women in Hollywood during its sexual abuse scandal — also tweeted to Lauer, telling him: “Don’t let the door hit you on the way out.”
Lauer — the star of NBC’s top-rated morning show Today and a 20-year broadcast news veteran — was abruptly fired from the network Wednesday morning after a staffer reportedly came forward with sexual harassment allegations against the anchor. Page Six subsequently reported that the woman’s claim stemmed from an incident during the 2014 Sochi Olympics in Russia, which Lauer was covering for NBC.
Following Lauer’s firing, other women have come forward with detailed allegations against the newsman, including that his NBC office had a discreet button with which he could lock the door from his desk, and that he once allegedly sent a sex toy with an inappropriate note to a female co-worker, and exposed himself to another.
Lauer apologized in a statement read on-air by his Today co-host Savannah Guthrie.
“There are no words to express my sorrow and regret for the pain I have caused others by words and actions. To the people I have hurt, I am truly sorry,” he said in a statement. “The last two days have forced me to take a very hard look at my troubling flaws. It has been humbling.”
“Some of what is being said about me is untrue or mischaracterized. But there is enough truth in these stories to make me feel embarrassed and ashamed,” he added.
Below, find celebrity reaction to Lauer’s exit from NBC.
Follow Daniel Nussbaum on Twitter: @dznussbaum