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Ben Affleck apologizes for 2003 Hilarie Burton groping incident

By Wade Sheridan and Karen Butler
Ben Affleck attends the premiere of "Suicide Squad" on August 3, 2016. Actress Hilarie Burton has said Affleck groped her in 2003 on MTV's "TRL." File Photo by Rune Hellestad/ UPI
1 of 2 | Ben Affleck attends the premiere of "Suicide Squad" on August 3, 2016. Actress Hilarie Burton has said Affleck groped her in 2003 on MTV's "TRL." File Photo by Rune Hellestad/ UPI | License Photo

Oct. 11 (UPI) -- Ben Affleck took to Twitter Wednesday to address the backlash he received after the revival of One Tree Hill star Hilarie Burton's claim that the actor groped her on MTV's TRL in 2003.

"I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize," Affleck tweeted.

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Affleck had previously released a statement condemning Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood mogul accused of sexually harassing and sexually assaulting a number of women. Burton mentioned the MTV incident after a fan tweeted that Affleck "Grabbed Hilarie Burton's breasts on TRL once. Everyone forgot though."

"I didn't forget" Burton wrote in response and then later, "Seriously, thank you for that. I was kid," after having a conversation with the fan.

Burton also shared an older video of herself saying that Affleck groped her during an airing of TRL: Uncensored.

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"Girls. I'm so impressed with you brave ones. I had to laugh back then so I wouldn't cry. Sending love," she wrote alongside the clip.

Burton's husband Jeffrey Dean Morgan portrayed the father of Affleck's Batman character in 2016's Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.

Affleck also faced flack from actress Rose McGowan, who is among the women accusing Weinstein of sexual harassment on Twitter after the Justice League star released a statement on the producer.

"I am saddened and angry that a man who I worked with used his position of power to intimidate, sexually harass and manipulate many women over decades," Affleck said of Weinstein. "I find myself asking what I can do to make sure this doesn't happen to others."

"''GODDAMNIT! I TOLD HIM TO STOP DOING THAT' you said that to my face. The press conf I was made to go to after assault. You lie," McGowan said of Affleck's response when she told him that Weinstein had assaulted her. Earlier McGowan tweeted "Ben Affleck [expletive] off."

Affleck and McGowan had starred together in 1998's Phantoms.

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