Scott Baio co-star Alexander Polinsky details abuse on set
By Alexandra Heilbron on February 14, 2018 | 21 Comments
Alexander Polinsky (pictured at left), who co-starred with Scott Baio and Nicole Eggert on the ’80s sitcom Charles in Charge, held a press conference today alongside his attorney, Lisa Bloom, to corroborate Eggert’s claims of Baio’s inappropriate sexual advances on her when she was a minor, but also to detail the abuse he allegedly suffered at Baio’s hands.
He told the media he was thrilled when he landed the role of Adam Powell on the series, because “Scott Baio was a hero to me.” Baio played his nanny on the show, and Nicole Eggert played Alexander’s older sister.
Alexander went on to say, “During the first year I observed Scott with Nicole on his lap backstage.” He remembered that he hopped on Baio’s lap as well, “hoping to hear a story about Happy Days or Fonzie.” He says Baio grew angry and threw him off his lap, calling him a “faggot.”
Following that incident, Alexander says Baio would tell him about gay sex acts that he predicted Alexander would grow up to perform, saying it was for his own good. He also allegedly told the 11-year-old actor he was unlovable, and one time pulled down the young actor’s pants in front of 100 people. Alexander told of Baio cutting a hole in Alexander’s canvas dressing room, then exposing his genitals to the boy.
The alleged abuse continued through the run of the show, and Andrew says he believes he was targeted because of what he’d witnessed Baio doing with Nicole. Other alleged incidents include Baio throwing a hot cup of tea in Alexander’s face, and telling him he would never be loved by a woman because he was too effeminate. Alexander claims the adults who worked on the show knew what was happening, but kept silent because they feared losing their jobs.
Alexander concluded by saying he wants to be a small part of the change in the world. “If kids are going to work, they should be protected from abuse,” he said. He also wants to expose predators to keep them from harming kids again. He said he prays for Scott, and hopes he can realize his wrongdoings. Both he and Nicole want a public apology, which they say will help everyone to heal.
Nicole stepped up to the microphone to say she witnessed Baio verbally and physically abusing Alexander. She corroborated the situation in which Alexander was thrown to the ground and agreed that the abuse started directly after that incident. She added that Alex was tripped, pushed around and berated with homosexual slurs because he witnessed something he was not supposed to see.
She told the media in attendance: “Our innocence was robbed. What was supposed to be the best time of our lives was a living nightmare,” adding, “It is never too late to come forward, it is never too late to start your healing process.” When asked why nothing happened during the run of the show to curtail Baio’s behavior — was it because he was the star? She agreed, describing Baio as “demanding,” adding, “He was a tyrant.”
Interestingly, she added that she knew Baio made inappropriate advances on other women during the run of the show, but didn’t offer any names.
Baio is scheduled to hold his own conference later today. ~Alexandra Heilbron
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Threw hot tea in his face….really…and nobody on set noticed his face being red, sore, burnt etc…
What drugs are these two on?? Did the two of them agree to spend any money they get from the outcome.
Its crap like this that make stories unbelievable and take away from people that have real stories to tell.
Also if Nicole hated the attention from Baio so much, why would she sit in his lap at 14?
IF and that is a huge IF something happened it sounds more like regret than anything else, but at 30 some odd years later it is probably more of a publicity grab than anything else along with a substantial cash grab for 2 washed up careers.
I find all of this very difficult to believe. It seems these “stars” have been out of the limelight too long and are looking for some spotlight and Baio’s expense.
It baffles me that ANY type of abuse goes unreported by adults. I can certainly understand children being silenced but if 100 people witnessed a child being abused by having his pants dropped at the hands of an adult, I am certain that the media would have gotten hold of that story somehow WHEN it occurred. And Hollywood or not, there is no way on earth I would ever turned a blind eye to abuse of any kind, especially when children are involved. Unfathomable – and unbelievable.
Its not unfathomable or unbelievable. Look at the accusers in Cosbys case that could not come forward to oppose a very wealthy icon, that could allegedly discredit them with expensive legal support, and make sure they never worked in their industry again. I am surprised at their parents lack of advocacy. It must have been too shameful and painful for the child actors to verbalize to adults. My heart goes out to them.
This is ridiculous. Firstly, Nicole Eggert has changed her story. Also she said, not too long ago, that she would LOVE to work with Baio again. SAY WHAT????? She has admitted to having sex with Scott when she was 17. ….and now he “harassed” her? Oh please. She just wants to get some “air time” again. Secondly, Polinsky claims that he was sexually harassed by Baio. Funny, I saw a recent photo of the two of them (Baio and Polinsky) and Polinsky was smiling from ear to ear. Didn’t look to me like he was uncomfortable with Baio. This is a case of child stars whose careers were finished at a young age. ….unlike Baio who is still well known. Shame on Polinsky and Eggert. You are trying to destroy lives here. When the truth comes out you’re going to look very stupid. #onyoursideScott
I believe them both. Baio was full of himself when he was a ‘star’. Not a nice person at all..
First, do the math: He was not “11 or 12 years old,” when he says this happened… he was at least 13. When they start out with a lie, it’s hard for me to give their claim any credibility.
I too have a hard time believing these accusations after all these years have gone by unless Polinsky and Eggert were so traumatized that they needed therapy. I’m not saying it’s true, I just find it hard to understand why nothing was said back in the ’80’s on set. Also, where were the parents at the time? If I had an 11 year old and a 14 year old in show business, I certainly would be supervising. Let’s see what Scott Baio has to say before we pass judgement. Just saying!!!
The show ran from 1987-1990. Polinsky was born in 1974, so he was 13-16 yrs old during the filming of the show. A teenager with his own raging hormones… I find his account unbelievable. (BTW, Eggert was born in 1972, so she was 15-18 yrs old during the filming.). Where were the parents if all of these assaults were going on? I’d sue my parents for neglect!
The show ran from 1987-1990. Polinsky was born in 1974, so he was 13-16 yrs old during the filming of the show. A teenager with his own raging hormones… I find his account unbelievable. (BTW, Eggert was born in 1972, so she was 15-18 yrs old during the filming.). Where were the parents if all of these assaults were going on? I’d sue my parents for neglect!
Unless I am naive, I feel that the actors are telling the truth. Not Scott. I have seen lots of coverage on TV. Even Sarah Gilbert defended Nicole. The two ‘kids’, said they want an apology. No money. As it is easy to say that the abuse should have been reported, the TV industry, with money and fame, probably accepts this because of how hard it can be to get in the industry, and the benefits I mentioned. With the me too movement, I believe now is why people can come forward.I think when people settle for money to keep quiet, something is wrong. And then they come forward. Although, it is easier now. Too bad things were kept quiet, ever! For any industry!
Sandy and Heidi very dangerous attitudes. Especially since females seem to be more targeted in these instances. As a male survivor of sexual abuse as a very young child i find some attitudes toward these alleged incidents very dangerous. If indeed they are allegations for recognition which i personally doubt let God and karma handle that.
It was a well known fact that Scott Baio was involved with multiple women in hollywood over the years which is their business. Is it possible he was mishandled on Happy Days or elsewhere? Awful if the case but these actors have a right to express, heal.
I wouldn’t get too hung up on the ages. He was born in October 1974, so probably was 12 during the first season (Back then, they started filming a season in early spring) and maybe he was 11 when they filmed the pilot. That’s if there was a pilot, because the show was already a hit before he and Nicole joined, the show had Charles find a different family when the kids from the first family got older. But usually there is a pilot for new shows and they’re often filmed months before the show gets greenlit and before it starts actually filming (in some cases, because of how long it takes, they have to recast one or two parts because the original actors aren’t available anymore).
The Cosby case is different ,I do not agree
100 percent with what Nicole eggert is saying because she said she would like to work with/ Scott baio again if someone abused you why would you want to
Work with him again? It’s silly
I was commenting on the length of time that it took for even adult complainants to come forward in numerous cases, not the similarity of the cases. Sometimes its trauma. Sometimes its fear of retribution like being disbelieved, losing one’s job, facing counter litigation. I commend the bravery of the two former child actors. No one needs this kind of attention. If you think harassment and abuse cannot happen in various industries, with lots of parents and staff around, read a credible source, not the gossip rags.
@Heidi, how can you not be sympathetic to Eggert and Polinsky about this? Even I, who believe in the sayings ‘Trust, but verify’ and ‘Hear all, trust nothing’ when it comes to these revelations, believe in what these two are saying. I’m surprised at you, Belinda, Sandy, Lorena, and Christine.
You clearly did not understand that I support what the two former child actors are saying. I support their bravery. Read my comment again for clarity.
I have a very hard time believing this after OVER 40 YEARS. WHY DID THEY NOT SAY SOMETHING A LONG TIME AGO? YOU ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. AFTER 40 YEARS THEY WILL HAVE THE BURDEN OF PROOF WHICH TO ME SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO PROVE.
did anyone ever watch scott baio is 40(ish) and single
funny show..all these accusers and co stars were on that show
nichole eggert was mad because he did all the playboy bunnies not her
erin moran said basically keep it in your pants
Myron, who here is charging them with a crime? They aren’t being persecuted in a court of law for any offense in fact nearly none of the individuals that have come forward are seeking that. And to those that claim this is just a publicity stunt for fame what exactly are they getting out of revealing very tramatic and often embarrassing situations they were forced to be put in by someone else who had power in some form or another. I don’t think either individual ate going to be offered some reality based series because of this, do you? As far as this ruining Baios career, all I can say is what career at this point are you referring to. His prime popularity is long since over and that’s just the natural course of things in a celebrity life cycle. I’m sure you have better things to do than to find ways to delegitimize the stories of people who have been abused.
Guilty until proven innocent. The damage has been done …and won’t be undone as easily. If all they want is an apology why be so public about it. 30 years later…so they haven’t been living their lives; they have been ‘damaged’ this long and NEED the world to hear them? These are sad times we live in.
Its their complaint. They determine what it is they need to resolve this. An apology they clearly aren’t going to get from a guy who’s lawyered up. They are exposing terrible, harassing, behaviour they endured as kids, in an effort to get it to stop, in the future. That is the point. I commend their bravery.