The 'Modern Family' actor insists he is innocent, but PBS 'immediately' decides to fire him from 'Market Warriors'.
- Jul 20, 2012
AceShowbiz - Fred Willard insisted he did nothing wrong following his arrest in an adult theater on Wednesday, July 18 evening. The actor/comedian told TMZ on his way out of his lawyer's office the next day that his arrest was just a misunderstanding.
Almost at the same time, PBS announced that the actor would be released from his job as the host of "Market Warriors". He reportedly would be replaced by Mark Walberg, who hosts "Antiques Roadshow".
"Given the unfortunate news reported today, effective immediately Fred Willard will no longer be involved with the 'Market Warriors' series' of the new Market Warriors series," said rep Jeanne Hopkins. "It's something we felt was important to decide, and given the trust of our audiences, we wanted to move forward."
The Frank Dunphy of "Modern Family" actually hasn't been charged or convicted. The case is now being reviewed by Los Angeles City prosecutors to determine whether or not to press charges against him.
"It's all being straightened out as we speak," he said with his wife by his side. "It was a strange situation." He added that the lewd act he was accused of "did not happen," claiming he and the police just had "a difference of opinion" as to what happened.
In a statement, his lawyer said, "With all due respect to the individual officer, our belief [is] that Fred did nothing in any violation of any law. We will be working vigorously to clear his name in this matter."
