Kevin Tsujihara is being investigated for allegedly promising Charlotte Kirk film roles in exchange for sex, but the British actress herself expresses regret over the departure of the studio boss.

• Mar 20, 2019

AceShowbiz - Warner Bros. chairman and CEO Kevin Tsujihara has stepped down from his role amid an investigation into claims that he promised actress Charlotte Kirk film roles in exchange for sex.

Tsujihara quietly handed in his resignation after a probe was launched into his relationship with Kirk, who has had small roles in "Ocean's 8", "How to Be Single" and "Non-Stop".

WarnerMedia CEO John Stankey announced the 54-year-old's resignation in a statement issued on Monday, March 18.

"It is in the best interest of WarnerMedia, Warner Bros., our employees and our partners for Kevin to step down as Chairman and CEO of Warner Bros.," he said. "Kevin has contributed greatly to the studio's success over the past 25 years and for that we thank him."

Stankey went on to highlight the studio boss' unacceptable behaviour, which he said was "inconsistent with the company's leadership expectations".

Following the news, British actress Kirk stated that she was upset her relationship with married Tsujihara had resulted in him losing his job.

"I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Kevin Tsujihara stepping down at Warners," Kirk told Fox News in a statement, admitting that she "tried to prevent" news of their relationship leaking.

The scandal came to light earlier this month, after The Hollywood Reporter revealed a string of text messages between Kirk, Tsujihara and Australian businessman James Packer, dating back to 2013.

In the messages, Packer appears to arrange a meeting between Tsujihara and the up-and-coming actress, who is now 26, promising her the "opportunity of a lifetime".

A subsequent string of messages between Kirk and the former Warner Bros. head appeared to evidence a 'casting couch'-style relationship, in which the actress acknowledges that the pair had a sexual relationship and asked: "Are u going to help me like u said u would? (sic)"