Lord of the Rings star Elijah Wood claims Hollywood has a child sex abuse scandal as big as Jimmy Savile’s in a recent interview with The Sunday Times.
Jimmy Savile was an English DJ, TV presenter and radio personality. He died in October 2011 and is known as a man who allegedly sexually abused hundreds of children.
It is believed there are about 500 people who were his victims from hospitals, schools and the BBC broadcasting studios.
Wood, 35, made his acting debut in a minor role for the film Back to the Future Part II when he was eight. The former child star – now Hollywood A-lister – told The Times that his mum protected him from abuse in Hollywood when he was younger. He admitted that he still experienced enough to know that certain things were likely taking place in the industry.
“I’ve been led down dark paths to realise that these things probably are still happening,” he told The Times.
In his interview, Wood spoke about the Jimmy Savile sex abuse scandal and expressed sympathy for the victims involved.
He said, “Jesus, it must have been devastating.”
The actor acknowledged that Britain grew up with Savile and understood it must have been upsetting to learn of his actions. “Clearly something major was going on in Hollywood. It was all organised,” he told the UK publication.
Jimmy Savile (1926 - 2011) presenting the BBC music chart show 'Top Of The Pops'. Source: BBC
“There are a lot of vipers in this industry,” he said. “If you can imagine it, it’s probably happened.”
Wood continued to say that it’s the innocent who have little world knowledge and a lot of desire to succeed who often fall victim. What is most upsetting to him is that the powerful people can speak louder than the victims.
“People with parasitic interests will see you as their prey," he says.
Perhaps Wood’s voice will speak the loudest, for the victims and for those who are breaking into the industry as child stars now.
Hollywood is no stranger to alleged sex abuse scandals. Most recently Bill Cosby, Rolf Harris and Hey Dad! star Robert Hughes have been in the media because of allegations made against them.
Wood claims that sex abuse is still happening in the industry today.
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