12 Creepiest Stories About Famous Movie Directors

12. David O. Russell Groped His 19-Year-Old Transgender Niece

The Weinstein Company

The Story: At the end of 2011, the America Hustle director was working out at a Florida gym with his 19-year-old transgender niece Nicholas Peloquin (who now goes by the name Nicole), and according to Peloquin, he felt up her breasts while "helping" her with ab exercises. Russell was interviewed by police, claiming that she was "acting very provocative towards him" and admitted feeling up her chest region, but asserted that it was completely consensual. Ultimately, the incident didn't result in any criminal charges.

Creep-O-Meter: 7/10

Russell admits that the incident happened, but even if it was consensual, it's pretty damn weird to feel your niece's breasts, so it's understandable that Peloquin wasn't cool with it. When the Sony Pictures hack took place, an e-mail about the incident surfaced from Columbia Pictures exec Michael De Luca, branding O. Russell a "loon".

Contributor
Contributor

Stay at home dad who spends as much time teaching his kids the merits of Martin Scorsese as possible (against the missus' wishes). General video game, TV and film nut. Occasional sports fan. Full time loon.