'Grey's' star in treatment facility

'Grey's' star in treatment facility
By Maureen Ryan
Copyright © 2007, Chicago Tribune
Published January 25, 2007

Shonda Rhimes, executive producer and creator of "Grey's Anatomy," spoke out Wednesday about a cast controversy that has engulfed the show, as the actor at the center of the flap sought counseling.

Actor Isaiah Washington uttered an anti-gay slur at the Golden Globes last week--in the midst of denying he had used the word in an October fracas concerning co-star T.R. Knight on the ABC show's set.

"I speak for all the executive producers here at `Grey's Anatomy' when I say that Isaiah Washington's use of such a disturbing word was a shocking and dismaying event," Rhimes' statement said.

"We applaud and encourage Isaiah's realization that he needs help and his subsequent choice to seek immediate treatment for his behavioral issues," added Rhimes, who had faced fan criticism for not speaking out immediately.

Her statement, which was released after an article about the controversy in Thursday's Tempo section went to press, didn't address whether Washington will stay with the show.

Washington, 43, entered a treatment facility for psychological counseling Wednesday and is expected to stay for a week. He issued a statement, which read, in part, "I regard this as a necessary step toward understanding why I did what I did and making sure it never happens again."

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The Personals page was compiled by Emily Rosenbaum from Tribune news services and staff reports.