Former child actor Steven Anthony Lawrence, widely recognized for his roles in 'The Cat in the Hat' and the Disney series 'Even Stevens', has made a serious and shocking allegation against his former employer, Universal Studios. The actor claims he was fired after reporting a suspected pedophile on the premises.
A Heavy-Hearted Accusation on Social Media
Over the weekend, Lawrence took to social media to share the news, posting a photo of his official work ID card. He stated that he had been waiting for a month, hoping for a resolution from the company, but none came. "It is with a heavy heart I have to announce that my time with Universal Studios has ended," he wrote.
In his emotional post, he directly tagged his boss and the Human Resources department, accusing them of wanting to "retaliate for reporting a suspected pedofile [sic] around children." Lawrence expressed his past love for working at the studio but declared he could no longer be associated with an organization he believes prioritizes its stars over safety.
His statement concluded with a strong warning: "With what I know, I WILL NEVER ALLOW MY KID TO GO TO UNIVERSAL STUDIOS HOLLYWOOD. Be safe, everyone."
Universal Studios' Firm Denial
Following the viral spread of Lawrence's post, Universal Studios issued a formal statement to Entertainment Weekly, firmly rejecting his claims. The studio stated that it had thoroughly investigated the concerns raised by the former employee.
"We have investigated and reviewed the concerns brought forward by this former employee, and they were found to be inaccurate and without merit," the statement read. It further emphasized, "We take all employee concerns seriously and have established processes for raising any concerns without fear of retaliation."
Mixed Reactions and Co-Worker Backlash Online
The online reaction to Lawrence's allegations has been divided. While many social media users praised his courage for speaking out, a significant number of comments came from individuals claiming to be his former co-workers. These comments painted a very different picture of the actor's conduct.
One such comment alleged, "Steven, you were the worst to the dressers and PA’s and other performers, you had the worst attitude every single day, seemed like you were on drugs or having a bad come down most days. You made everyone’s day worse, purposely and intentionally. Stop the lies. Get the help you need LOL."
This clash of narratives has turned the personal allegation into a public controversy, with the truth caught between the actor's serious claims and the studio's denial, further complicated by critical testimonials from alleged colleagues.
