Tristram Shapeero apologizes to actor Lukas Gage for criticizing his ‘tiny apartment’
‘I’m mortified about what happened’: Director Tristam Shapeero apologizes to actor Lukas Gage, 25, after he was caught criticizing the star’s ‘tiny apartment’ during a Zoom audition
- Lukas Gage, 25, auditioned for a role in a new TV series via Zoom; he dialed in to the meeting from his apartment in Los Angeles
- Director Tristram Shapeero believed he was on mute during the Zoom call, and was caught on camera criticizing Gage’s ‘tiny’ living space
- Gage shared a clip of the moment to Twitter last week, and it has quickly gone viral
- Shapeero initially refused to apologize for his comments, saying ‘I didn’t say anything bad’
- On Thursday, however, he expressed regret over his remarks in a statement to Deadline
- Shapeero is one of Hollywood’s top sitcom directors, with credits including Veep, Community, Parks and Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine to his name
British television director Tristram Shapeero has apologized to Euphoria star Lukas Gage after he was caught on camera criticizing the young actor’s ‘tiny apartment’ during an audition conducted over Zoom.
The incident occurred back in August, while Gage, 25, was trying out for a role in one of Shapeero’s upcoming comedy shows.
The director did not realize his microphone was not on mute, and said of Gage’s living space: ‘These poor people living in these tiny apartments. I’m looking at his background and he’s got his TV.’
Gage politely responded that he could hear Shapeero, before stating: ‘Yeah, I know it’s a s***ty apartment, so just give me this job so I can get a better one.’
Gage posted the video to his social media accounts last Thursday, and it has been viewed more than nine million times.
It’s unclear why the actor waited three months to share the footage. Additionally, he did not reveal what role he was auditioning for, although Shapeero is currently directing an upcoming FOX sitcom titled Pivoting.
British television director Tristram Shapeero has apologized to Euphoria star Lukas Gage after he was caught on camera criticizing the young actor’s ‘tiny apartment’ during an audition conducted over Zoom. Gage is pictured in his living space on the call
Shapeero (pictured) is one of Hollywood’s top sitcom directors, with credits including Veep, Community, Parks and Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine to his name
After he was heard criticizing Gage’s apartment on the video, Shapeero stated that he was ‘mortified’ and ‘so, so sorry’ for his remark.
The actor responded: ‘I’m living in a four by four box, it’s fine. Just give me the job and we’ll be fine’.
Gage, who is best known for his role in the first season of HBO’s Euphoria, shared the video to his Twitter account last week, writing: ‘PSA: if you’re a s**t talking director make sure to mute ur s**t on zoom mtgings’.
He did not call out Shapeero by name, but the British-born director later identified himself as the man who made the remark.
Shapeero is one of Hollywood’s top sitcom directors, with credits including Veep, Community, Parks and Recreation, and Brooklyn Nine-Nine to his name.
His most recent listed address is a $3 million home in the ritzy Los Angeles neighborhood of Mar Vista.
Gage, who is best known for his role in the first season of HBO’s Euphoria, shared the video to his Twitter account last week
Shapeero’s most recent listed address is a $3 million home in the ritzy Los Angeles neighborhood of Mar Vista
A home purportedly lived in by Shapeero features stunning views out across Los Angeles
The large, light-filled home is a far-cry from Gage’s boxy apartment. The Mar Vista property has is currently estimated to be worth $3 million
On Monday, Shapeero refused to publicly say sorry when he was approached by the media.
‘I don’t have any apology because I didn’t say anything bad,’ he told one freelance journalist.
However, later in the day he offered a groveling statement to Deadline.
‘First and foremost I offer Mr. Gage a sincere and unvarnished apology for my offensive words, my unprofessional behavior during the audition and for not giving him the focus and attention he deserved. My job is to evaluate performers against the part I am trying to cast. Lukas deserved better,’ Shapeero stated.
‘I was using the word ‘poor’ in the sense of deserving sympathy, as opposed to any economic judgment. My words were being spoken from a genuine place of appreciation for what the actors were having to endure, stuck in confined spaces, finding it within themselves to give a role-winning performance under these conditions,’ he continued.
‘As I say on the video, I’m mortified about what happened. While I can’t put the proverbial toothpaste back in the tube, I move forward from this incident a more empathetic man,’ Shapeero stated.
Shapeero is a prolific TV director, with more than 20 years of experience.
He began his career in the United Kingdom, directing episodes of French & Saunders and Absolutely Fabulous.
He now works primarily in the US, where his credits include Veep, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, The Good Place, Community, and Parks and Recreation.
Meanwhile, Gage remains relatively unknown in Hollywood. He starred earlier this year in the Hulu series Love Victor, and had a role in the sci-fi film Max Reload And The Nether Blasters.
Gage remains relatively unknown in Hollywood. He starred earlier this year in the Hulu series Love Victor, and had a role in the sci-fi film Max Reload And The Nether Blasters.
