Hundreds Accuse Director James Toback​ Of Sexual Abuse Or Harassment: Report

HOLLYWOOD, CA — A Los Angeles Times exposé identifying dozens of women who claimed to have been sexually harassed or assaulted by Hollywood director James Toback triggered a tidal wave as hundreds of women then came forward to describe similar accounts, the newspaper reported Monday.

Among those adding their names to the list of women who allegedly fended off creepy come-ons from "The Pickup Artist" director was “Today Show” anchor Natalie Morales, who wrote on Twitter: "Add one more. Exact same playbook by James Toback when I encountered him near Central Park.” Toback, who was nominated for an Oscar for the "Bugsy" screenplay, has denied the allegations.

In the initial report, nearly 40 women shared their stories of alleged assault and harassment. Toback's pattern involved prowling the streets of Manhattan looking for attractive young women, usually in their early 20s, sometimes college students, on occasion a high schooler, the Times reported. He approached them in Central Park, standing in line at a bank or drug store or at a copy center while they worked on their resumes, according to the Times. His opening line had a few variations, according to the Times. One went: "My name’s James Toback. I’m a movie director. Have you ever seen ‘Black and White’ or ‘Two Girls and a Guy’?"

Watch: Another Hollywood Figure Is Facing Dozens Of Sexual Harassment Claims

He'd tell women he could make them a star, then, in a hotel room or a public park, meetings framed as interviews or auditions quickly turned sexual, the 38 women told the Times in separate interviews. Then, he'd rub himself against them or masturbate in front of them, ejaculating into his pants or onto their bodies, then walk away, The Times reported.

Since the story broke, about 200 more women have come forward, and the Los Angeles Police Department has responded to multiple calls from women reporting abusive encounters with Toback. The Manhattan District Attorney has also encouraged women to come forward.

The 72-year-old director denied the allegations to the Times. He said he had never met the women or, if he did, it “was for five minutes and have no recollection.” Additionally, he maintains that for the last 22 years it was “biologically impossible” for him to sexually abuse women because of diabetes and a heart condition requiring medication.

Toback's longtime agent reportedly dropped him, and others in Hollywood were quick to shun the director. “Guardians of the Galaxy” director James Gunn ripped into Toback on Facebook.

"When I lived in New York, in the 'nineties, this dude was EVERYWHERE. I have personally met at least FIFTEEN WOMEN, probably more, who say that he's accosted them in NYC. He essentially goes up to women and says, 'Hey, I'm James Toback, and I'm a famous director, and I feel like there's a connection between us.' Then he shows them some article on himself or some other artifact to prove he is who he is, and tries to get them to go somewhere else with him," Gunn wrote. "He has done this to three girls I’ve dated, two of my very best friends, and a family member... twice. Yes, he came up to her twice with the same stupid line, not realizing she was the same person. This is in addition to many other women I've talked to at parties or dinners about their interactions with Toback."

City News Service and Patch staffer contributed to this report. Photo: James Toback attends the 'The Private Life Of A Modern Woman' photocall during the 74th Venice Film Festival on Sept. 3, 2017 in Venice, Italy. Credit: John Rasimus /MediaPunch