Editor’s Note: This story contains discussions of rape or sexual assault that may be disturbing. Reader discretion is advised. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can find help and discreet resources on the National Sexual Assault Hotline website or by calling 1-800-656-4673.
(NewsNation) — Hollywood was rocked this week when yet another actor had allegations of sexual misconduct thrown at him.
This time it was Anna Wintour’s darling, Jared Leto.
It was an open secret that Leto, who rose to fame in the early 2000s, preferred to be around younger women. I used to work for Page Six, and in 2005, we ran an article called “Jared Leto Likes ‘em Young.”
According to a 2018 report in Air Mail, James Gunn, director of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” responded to a tweet actor Dylan Sprouse posted that read: “Yo @JaredLeto now that you’ve slid into the DMs of every female model aged 18–25, what would you say your success rate is?”
To which Gunn replied: “He starts at 18 on the internet?” Gunn and Sprouse did not respond to Air Mail’s requests for comment, and a representative for Leto says he has never met either of them.
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LA DJ says Jared Leto tried to force himself on her while backstage
But it looked like the public forgave him — until recently when, according to Air Mail, “Last month, the Los Angeles–based D.J. and music producer Allie Teilz reposted a 2012 Facebook status she’d written to her Instagram stories: “Youre [sic] not really in L.A. until Jared Leto tries to force himself on you backstage… In a kilt.. And a snow hat.”
“I was assaulted and traumatized by this creep when I was 17,” she wrote in another Instagram story. “He knew my age and didn’t care. What he did was predatory, terrifying and unacceptable.”
In the report, six women accused Leto of hitting on them and making sexual comments and suggestions while he allegedly knew they were underage.
And the fallout has been swift.
Jared Leto’s movie put on hold: Insider
Leto’s pet project, “The Talented Dr. Gray”, a movie about a professor turned cat burglar, has reportedly been put on hold.
The movie, which insiders told me actually could have had a shot at winning an Oscar, is, according to IMDb, a fascinating tale: “A retired political science professor from John Cabot University is charged with orchestrating a sophisticated theft operation involving high-value jewels and art pieces. Known for his impeccable manners and elite social connections, Gray allegedly stole over $1 million worth of valuables from homes in five states. His victims included acquaintances he met through social events, such as weddings and fundraisers, and notably, his longtime lover, Jacqueline Quillen, a prominent figure in Washington, DC.”
Jared Leto walks the runway at the Gucci “Love Parade” fashion show on Tuesday, Nov. 2, 2021, in Los Angeles. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP) 
Jared Leto attends CinemaCon on April 3, 2025, in Las Vegas. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for CinemaCon) 
Jared Leto, dressed as Choupette, attends the 2023 Met Gala Celebrating “Karl Lagerfeld: A Line Of Beauty” at Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 01, 2023, in New York City. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) 
This image released by Sony Pictures shows Jared Leto in a scene from “Morbius.” (Jay Maidment/Sony Pictures via AP) 
Actors Jared Leto and Jennifer Connelly lie on the floor in a scene from the film, “Requiem for a Dream,” directed by Darren Aronofsky, 2000. (Photo by Artisan Entertainment/Courtesy of Getty Images) 
This image released by MGM shows Adam Driver as Maurizio Gucci, from left, Jared Leto as Paolo Gucci and Lady Gaga as Patrizia Reggiani in “House of Gucci.” (Fabio Lovino/MGM via AP) 
Host Ellen DeGeneres poses for a selfie with Jared Leto, clockwise from left, Jennifer Lawrence, Channing Tatum, Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Kevin Spacey, Brad Pitt, Lupita Nyong’o, Angelina Jolie, Peter Nyong’o Jr. and Bradley Cooper during the 86th Annual Academy Awards on March 2, 2014, in Hollywood, California. (Photo credit Ellen DeGeneres/Twitter via Getty Images) 
Jared Leto attends the officially party celebrating Vogue World: London 2023 at George Mayfair on September 14, 2023, in London. (Photo by David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty Images)
”It was a great script,” my insider said. “It would have been up for an Oscar — but it’s all on ice now.”
“The (fellow) producers — the money men — were warned about [Leto’s] reputation, but they ignored all the warnings,” my insider said.
”It’s biting them on the [backside] right now.”
No alleged bad behavior happened on set with Jared Leto: Variety
Leto has two more movies in post- or full-production right now. “Tron: Ares” is in post-production, meaning it’s fully shot and in editing/final touches, and is scheduled to be released in October. “Masters of the Universe,” in which he was set to play evil villain Skeletor, is currently in production. There is no word on whether these two movies will be released on schedule.
However, as Variety reported, “None of the alleged misbehavior happened on a film set, sources close to ‘Tron’ noted, and no criminal charges or civil suits have been brought against the star. Another insider close to ‘Masters of the Universe’ made similar points.”
Representatives for Leto, who is on tour throughout the summer with his band 30 Seconds to Mars, did not return a request for comment.