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A decades-old talk show clip has thrust actor Anthony Anderson into controversy after resurfacing on social media. The interview, originally aired in 2003 on The Sharon Osbourne Show, featured Anderson, then 33, making suggestive remarks to 17-year-old actress Lindsay Lohan.
The conversation, once dismissed as late-night banter, is now under fresh scrutiny. In the viral video, Anderson places his hand on Lohan's knee and says, "You've grown up a whole lot since [The Parent Trap]." He later jokes, "Some men like 'em young. We ain't gonna mention no names, but you know, I'm one of 'em," in response to Lohan stating she was "illegal for people that are old." The clip runs for six and a half minutes and includes multiple instances of flirtatious comments that many online now consider inappropriate.
The backlash was swift, with users labeling the interaction as predatory and uncomfortable. One viewer commented, "This hasn't aged well at all. The dynamic is disturbing."
In a statement released to People, a spokesperson for Anderson claimed the segment was meant to be humorous, stating: "This interview was clearly intended as comedy. He regrets if the humor was in poor taste and maintains the utmost respect for Lindsay." They further warned that any other implication was "inaccurate and potentially defamatory."
Anderson, now 54, has previously faced serious allegations, including a 2004 rape accusation that was later dropped, and a 2018 LAPD investigation that concluded without charges. He denied all claims at the time, calling them baseless.
