Four years after a series of allegations derailed his Hollywood career, actor Armie Hammer is breaking his silence, reflecting on his past behavior, and addressing career resurgence after scandal. The accusations nearly ended his time in the spotlight. In a candid conversation on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Hammer admitted to being reckless and hurtful in his relationships but maintained that his actions were not illegal. Please continue reading to find out his exact words on the matter!
Owning Up to Past Mistakes
Hammer acknowledged that he left a string of hurt individuals behind due to his destructive behavior, likening his past relationships to substance use. “People were sort of like my bags of dope with skin on them,” he admitted. “You make me feel amazing, so I’m going to throw everything into this, and then I’m going to move on.”
While he confessed to being inconsiderate and self-serving in his personal life, Hammer was clear in asserting that his actions did not constitute criminal activity. “Does it make me a dick? Absolutely,” he said. “That’s not illegal.”
Addressing the Controversial Messages
One of the most shocking revelations during his scandal was the emergence of explicit text messages, including one where Hammer allegedly claimed to be “100% a cannibal.” The actor now insists that these messages were taken out of context and altered. “It could have been a very funny conversation between two people who were joking and pushing each other,” he explained, adding that alcohol and drugs played a role in his provocative exchanges.
He also added, “I think the, most important context to give these kinds of things is they are one side of a conversation. As you’ll notice, of all of the text messages that were released, the person who released them, their side was cut out of the entire conversation.”
Hammer also refuted claims that he ever engaged in cannibalistic behavior, emphasizing, “To actually be a cannibal, you have to eat human flesh. So no.” He further clarified a hunting ritual where he once took a bite of an animal’s heart, dismissing it as a common practice among hunters.
Legal Aftermath and Career Fallout
In 2021, multiple women, including ex-girlfriend Paige Lorenze and an accuser known as Effie, came forward with allegations of emotional and physical abuse. Effie accused Hammer of sexual assault, leading to an LAPD investigation. However, due to insufficient evidence, no charges were filed against the actor.
Despite not facing legal consequences, Hammer’s Hollywood career came to a screeching halt, leading him to seek help at a trauma treatment facility. “It was one of the most helpful things I’ve ever done for myself,” he revealed.
Armie Hammer Career Resurgence After Scandal
After being blacklisted for years, Hammer is now experiencing a career resurgence. During a separate interview on the Your Mom’s House podcast, the 38-year-old actor claimed that industry conversations about him are shifting. “Generally now, when my name comes up, people in the industry say, ‘Man, that guy got fucked,’ and that feels really good. It’s really encouraging.”
Hammer confirmed that he has multiple projects lined up, including Frontier Crucible, in which he stars alongside Thomas Jane and William H. Macy. He also revealed upcoming roles in two additional films and a television series.
On Cancel Culture and Woody Allen
During his interview with Theroux, Hammer was asked whether he would work with director Woody Allen, who has faced longstanding sexual abuse allegations. Hammer, who has himself been at the center of controversy, responded carefully. “If I say, ‘No, I would never work with Woody Allen,’ then all I’m doing is saying, ‘I believe in this system that cancels people,’” he explained.
Instead, Hammer suggested he would prefer to meet with Allen and judge for himself. “If I walked away from that conversation thinking he was a good man, then yeah, let’s do it. But if I got a bad vibe, maybe there is fire where there is smoke, and I wouldn’t do it.”
Life Beyond Hollywood
During his time away from acting, Hammer took on various jobs, including selling timeshares in the Cayman Islands, working as a school greenskeeper, and managing an apartment complex. “Things were so bleak that having anything to do felt amazing,” he recalled. However, due to visa issues, he was unable to remain in the Caymans long-term.
With his return to Hollywood in motion, Hammer remains hopeful about his future. Whether audiences and the industry at large will fully embrace his comeback remains to be seen, but for now, the actor appears determined to reclaim his place in the film world while acknowledging the missteps of his past.
For those affected by sexual abuse or in need of support, the Sexual Assault Hotline is available at 1-800-330-0226.
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