Fred Savage has faced three separate sets of sexual harassment allegations across his career: a 1993 lawsuit by a costume designer on the original Wonder Years, a 2018 lawsuit by a wardrobe employee on the Fox comedy The Grinder, and a 2022 internal Disney investigation prompted by complaints from six women working on ABC’s Wonder Years reboot. The first two matters were settled out of court. The third ended with Savage being fired as executive producer and director of the reboot in May 2022. He has denied wrongdoing in each case.
1993: The Monique Long Lawsuit
On March 17, 1993, Monique Long, a 31-year-old costume designer who had worked on The Wonder Years during the 1991 and 1992 seasons, filed a sexual harassment suit in Los Angeles Superior Court against Savage and co-star Jason Hervey.1Los Angeles Times. Wonder Years Lawsuit Filed in Los Angeles Superior Court Savage was 16 at the time; Hervey was 20.
Long alleged Savage constantly held her hand, asked her to have an affair, and made sexual remarks toward her.2Vanity Fair. Wonder Years Sexual Harassment Lawsuit She said the behavior made it impossible to do her job and that she was fired after reporting it. The show and both actors denied the allegations. Savage’s attorney called it a “nuisance suit” meant to embarrass him publicly. The case was settled out of court and dismissed in April 1994.3Los Angeles Times. Fred Savage Allegations Misconduct
Long has stood by her account. In a 2018 email to Yahoo!, she said, “To this day, I stand by the truth in those documents,” referring to the court filings and depositions.4Vanity Fair. Wonder Years Sexual Harassment Lawsuit
2018: The Youngjoo Hwang Lawsuit
In March 2018, Youngjoo Hwang, a costume designer on the 2015 Fox comedy The Grinder, sued Savage and 20th Century Fox for harassment, assault, battery, and gender discrimination.5IndieWire. Fred Savage Accused of Harassment by Grinder Crew Member She alleged Savage regularly directed profanity at female employees, gave her dirty looks, and told her he “hated her and not to look at him.” During one costume fitting, Hwang said, she tried to brush dandruff off Savage’s suit jacket and he struck her arm three times.6Deadline. Fred Savage Fox Calls Harassment Claims Unfounded
20th Century Fox Television conducted an internal investigation and said it found the claims “unfounded” with “no evidence of any wrongdoing.”6Deadline. Fred Savage Fox Calls Harassment Claims Unfounded Savage called the accusations “completely without merit and absolutely untrue,” saying “none of her claims could be substantiated because they did not happen.”3Los Angeles Times. Fred Savage Allegations Misconduct The suit was settled and dismissed in April 2019. Hwang’s attorney, Anahita Sedaghatfar, said only that she was “very pleased with the resolution.”7Page Six. Fred Savage and Accuser Settle Harassment Lawsuit Out of Court
2022: The Wonder Years Reboot Complaint and Firing
In February 2022, six women on the crew of ABC’s Wonder Years reboot filed a formal complaint about Savage with Disney’s human resources department.8The Hollywood Reporter. Fred Savage Misconduct on The Wonder Years Savage was serving as executive producer and director. Disney’s 20th Television launched an investigation and barred him from the set.
The Hollywood Reporter, which interviewed six women, described allegations in three areas.
On verbal conduct, crew members said Savage had a volatile temperament, switching into a “darker, angrier” persona aimed at lower-ranking employees. One woman said she was verbally harassed and belittled after trying to shield a younger crew member from Savage’s attention.8The Hollywood Reporter. Fred Savage Misconduct on The Wonder Years
On his relationship with a younger female crew member, multiple people described what they called “blatant favoritism” and a “strangeness,” including gifts and having her stay at his home in Atlanta.3Los Angeles Times. Fred Savage Allegations Misconduct
The most serious allegation involved an incident in early December 2021 at 97 Estoria, an Atlanta bar frequented by the production. A crew member said Savage followed her into the women’s restroom, pushed her against a wall, forcibly kissed her, tried to reach into her pants, and grabbed her hand to place it on his groin. She said she had to “shoulder-check” him to get away.8The Hollywood Reporter. Fred Savage Misconduct on The Wonder Years She said Savage contacted her repeatedly in the weeks that followed and left a voicemail apologizing for being a “huge a—hole.”3Los Angeles Times. Fred Savage Allegations Misconduct
On May 6, 2022, 20th Television announced Savage’s firing. A spokesperson said: “Recently, we were made aware of allegations of inappropriate conduct by Fred Savage, and as is policy, an investigation was launched. Upon its completion, the decision was made to terminate his employment as an executive producer and director of The Wonder Years.”9Deadline. Fred Savage Fired as The Wonder Years EP, Director The studio did not publicly detail the investigation’s findings beyond confirming the termination. Savage reportedly cooperated with the process.3Los Angeles Times. Fred Savage Allegations Misconduct
No police report or separate civil suit is known to have resulted from the bar incident or the other complaints. The available reporting indicates the matter was handled entirely inside Disney.10Vulture. Fred Savage The Wonder Years Misconduct Allegations
Savage’s Response
After The Hollywood Reporter published the crew accounts in August 2022, Savage issued a public statement. He said he had “always strived to contribute to an inclusive, safe and supportive work environment” and called it “devastating to learn that there are co-workers who feel I have fallen short of these goals.” He disputed specific claims, saying “there are some incidents being reported that absolutely did not and could not have happened,” but added that “any one person who feels hurt or offended by my actions is one person too many.” He pledged to “work to address and change any behavior that has negatively affected anyone.”11E! Online. Fred Savage Responds After Wonder Years Accusers Speak Out
Where Things Stand
The two lawsuits ended in confidential settlements, and no criminal charges have been reported in connection with any of the allegations. Since his firing, Savage has largely left the entertainment industry, with a role on the drama Three Women as his only known on-screen work.12People. Where Is Fred Savage Now In January 2025 he launched Timepiece Grading Specialists, a third-party watch authentication service based in Dayton, Ohio.13The New York Times. Watches Fred Savage