Sixth Sense star Haley Joel Osment apologises for "disgraceful language" used during arrest in California
Hollywood actor Haley Joel Osment has apologised after he used an antisemitic slur which was caught on police bodycam footage.
Sixth Sense star Haley Joel Osment has apologised for using "disgraceful language" as he was arrested in California. The actor used an antisemitic slur while being detained by cops at a ski lodge in Mammoth Lakes on April 8.
He has since been charged with possession of cocaine and disorderly conduct after the incident, which was caught on bodycam and showed him brand a police officer a "f****** Nazi" and using an antisemitic slur.
Now the star, who lost his home in the California wildfires earlier this year, has apologised in a statement handed to People, writing: “I’m absolutely horrified by my behavior. Had I known I used this disgraceful language in the throes of a blackout, I would have spoken up sooner.”
"The past few months of loss and displacement have broken me down to a very low emotional place. But that’s no excuse for using this disgusting word,” he continued.
"From the bottom of my heart, I apologize to absolutely everyone that this hurts. What came out of my mouth was nonsensical garbage - I’ve let the Jewish community down and it devastates me. I don’t ask for anyone’s forgiveness, but I promise to atone for my terrible mistake."
The Mono County District Attorney's office has confirmed Osment has been charged with two misdemeanour offences; disorderly conduct under the influence of alcohol in public and possession of cocaine - and is due to appear at Mono County Superior Court on July 7.
Police are believed to have arrived on the scene of the alleged incident after they received a report of "unruly conduct" by the actor.
And bodycam footage seen by People is reported to show a witness telling a police officer Osment had been drinking in a nearby bar, but staff stopped served him after he spilled a drink. He's then alleged to have become "aggravated" and "argumentative" and attempted to get on a ski lift, but employees didn't let him and called police.
In California, disorderly conduct is punishable by up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine, while a first offense for possession of cocaine can lead to community service or a fine of at least $1,000.
Osment shot to stardom after appearing alongside Bruce Willis in the 1999 mystery thriller, The Sixth Sense, playing psychic child Cole Sear. Previously, he had appeared in Forrest Gump as the eponymous hero’s son at the end of the film.