Fans of the popular drama Grey’s Anatomy adored Dr. Preston Burke. Isaiah Washington’s portrayal of the legendary character earned him two NAACP Image Awards and a Screen Actors Guild Award, but things took a turn for the worst when the actor was fired from the program in 2007, just before the third season. So what took place? Learn more here.
The actor allegedly used a homophobic slur to denigrate T.R. Knight, who has the first name Theodore, during an argument with Patrick Dempsey, another co-star. A few days after the alleged incident, T.R. publicly came out as gay via PEOPLE, stating: “I’d like to quiet any unneeded rumors that may be out there. I hope my sexual orientation isn’t the most intriguing aspect of who I am.
On The Ellen DeGeneres Show, T.R. discussed the vulgarity and stated, “It’s an excellent term, isn’t it? That has never been said to me directly. Therefore, I believe that when that changed, something bigger than myself emerged.
He added: “I was under no delusions. My friends on the set knew. We talked about it. Publicly it’s not my thing to call up PEOPLE magazine and be like, ‘Hey, you want to know something about me?’ … I could’ve just let it slide and not said anything, but it became important. It became important to make the statement.”
In a tell-all book about the show, How to Save a Life: The Inside Story of Grey’s Anatomy, writer Harry Werksman explained that the actor was furious when Patrick was late to set, saying: “I guess he felt disrespected that he and the crew had been waiting. He went after Patrick, pushed him up against the wall, and said, ‘You can’t talk to me the way you talk to that little [expletive] T.R.’”
Crew member Marty Carrillo added: “Everyone knew T.R. was gay. For some reason, Isaiah just lost it and pinned Patrick up against the wall. You could see Isaiah’s pupils go wide, like, ‘What did I do?’ It was quiet. Everyone had to leave the set.”
Despite later denying calling T.R. the slur at the Golden Globes, Isaiah apologized for the situation and released a statement via People which read: “I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I’ve asked for help.”
He added: “T.R.’s courage throughout this entire episode speaks to his tremendous character. I hold his talent, and T.R. as a person, in high esteem. I know a mere apology will not end this, and I intend to let my future actions prove my sincerity.”
In a statement to TVGuide.com, a network spokesperson for ABC said: “We have a long standing policy to create and maintain respectful workplaces for all our employees. We dealt with the original situation in October, and thought the issue resolved. Therefore, we are greatly dismayed that Mr. Washington chose to use such inappropriate language at the Golden Globes, language that he himself deemed ‘unfortunate’ in his previous public apology. We take this situation very seriously. His actions are unacceptable and are being addressed.”
In June 2007, six months after the Golden Globes controversy, the network confirmed that they would not be renewing the actor’s contract. In response, Isaiah said in a statement: “I’m mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.”
In February 2023, Isaiah announced his retirement from acting, tweeting: “It is with a heavy heart and a sense of relief that I am announcing my early retirement from the entertainment industry today. Those who have been Following/Witnessing my journey here on [Twitter] since 2011 all know that I have fought the good fight, but it seems that the haters, provocateurs and the Useful Idiots have won.”
He later withdrew his statement with plans for a movie project, writing: “After seeing the incredible positive response to my recent announcement of retirement from the entertainment industry on social media, it became clear that I have been operating outside of the traditional Hollywood system successfully for the last 15 years. So, why stop now with over 5 million views and counting with my February 28, 2023 Twitter post?
“It seems that if I received just $1.00 from 5 million people, then I will have more than enough capital to continue to independently produce my own Bass Reeves movie project for a Fall 2023 shooting schedule in Arkansas and Oklahoma.”