While plaintiff Kristina Charlotte Hirsch did not name Beatty in the suit, the defendant is identified as being nominated for an Academy Award for his role as Clyde in “Bonnie and Clyde,” which Beatty was in 1968. Beatty is now 85 years old. Louisiana resident Hirsch alleges that Beatty met her on a film set, paying her “undue attention” while remarking on her looks and allegedly giving her his phone number. Hirsch claims that Beatty called her on a number of occasions throughout 1973, eventually inviting her to a hotel where he was living at the time in Los Angeles County.
IndieWire has reached out to Beatty’s representatives, who did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
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According to the nine-page civil complaint, Beatty allegedly also offered to help the young Hirsch with her homework, several times broaching the subject of her losing her virginity.
Per the suit as shared by Variety, Beatty “used his position and status as an adult and a Hollywood movie star to coerce sexual contact with Plaintiff on multiple occasions, including oral sex, simulated sex and finally coerced sexual intercourse with the minor child.”
Hirsch claims she believed she was in a romantic relationship with the New Hollywood actor/director, adding that was she was “initially thrilled” by the attention. The complaint alleges the relationship lasted through the end of 1973.
Now, Hirsch and her representatives are seeking compensation for “psychological, mental, and emotional distress.” According to the suit, Hirsch said she has since had trouble interacting with authority figures due to trauma from the alleged encounter.
The complaint, per Courthouse News Service, states, “As a direct result of the molestation by defendant Doe, plaintiff has had issues with her personal life, such as issues with trust and control. These feelings have caused plaintiff substantial emotional distress, guilt, anxiety, nervousness and fear.”
Her claims include sexual battery and sexual assault. The suit was filed under California’s 2019-instated “lookback window” law allowing for claims of child abuse to be excluded from the statute of limitations. The window expires January 1, 2023.
Hirsch is represented by Michael Reck and Michael Finnegan of the LA firm Jeff Anderson & Associates
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