Suzanne Somers Defends Morgan Freeman Against Sexual Harassment Allegations

Since the 1960s, Morgan Freeman has been described as a talented actor adored by fans from across the world.

So it came as a massive shock to the public when the Academy Award-winning actor had been accused of sexual harassment and assault.

In May, 16 women have come forward with allegations of inappropriate behavior from the the 80-year-old, with eight of them claiming to be victims of the Million Dollar Baby star's assaults.

One production assistant said she worked with Freeman on the set of Going In Style, and had been harassed by him since production began.

She alleged the actor had touched her inappropriately and made unwanted comments on her body and clothing on a daily basis.

She told CNN that Freeman had "kept trying to lift up my skirt and asking if I was wearing underwear," but added he had never been successful at lifting her clothing because she would immediately move away.

She continued: "Alan [Arkin] made a comment telling him to stop. Morgan got freaked out and didn't know what to say."

Alan Arkin and Morgan Freeman in "Going In Style" — The Flim Stage

Chloe Melas, the CNN reporter who wrote the expose on Freeman's alleged sexual harassment, has also said she was a victim of the actor's misconduct.

She said while she was covering a story about one of Freeman's films, he made unwarranted comments about her pregnancy, including, "I wish I was there," along with frequently tell her, "You are ripe."

After the news broke out of the allegations against Freeman, he released a statement apologizing for his actions.

"Anyone who knows me or has worked with me knows I am not someone who would intentionally offend or knowingly make anyone feel uneasy," Freeman said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. "I apologize to anyone who felt uncomfortable or disrespected "” that was never my intent."

"All victims of assault and harassment deserve to be heard," the statement continued. And we need to listen to them. But it is not right to equate horrific incidents of sexual assault with misplaced compliments or humor."

Now actress Suzanne Somers is coming to the defense of her friend, and said in an interview on The Ingraham Angle show that Freeman was just a "big flirt."

"Well, this probably won't be real popular, but I think that women ... I totally understand the [Harvey] Weinstein and Bill Cosby, that's like, of course," Somers said in reference to other Hollywood stars.

"But you know, like Morgan Freeman's a big flirt. I know him really well. He sees you and he'll like your dress and he'll like your hair. He'll like a lot of things," she added.

However, while the 71-year-old was also quick to praise the #MeToo movement, she said she hopes that the "seduction" and "flirting" in Tinseltown doesn't come to an end.

"I hope the dance doesn't stop. It's seduction. It's flirting. All those things are really fun. So I hope there's a way we can find a nice medium with that."

Stay up-to-date with the latest celebrity news and check out these top stories:

[H/T: The Hollywood Reporter, Daily Mail]