There were rumors about Fred Savage for years, about how he was “difficult” to work with, how he didn’t treat coworkers well, that he is a huge jerk and a pain in the ass. I tend to believe that his behavior was probably pretty appalling if there were multiple formal complaints against him as he executive produced and directed The Wonder Years reboot. The reboot is on ABC, it’s network television and of course Disney has the money and inclination to cover up bad behavior from many of the men working for them. So it’s notable that Savage’s behavior was so line-crossing that even ABC/Disney fired him outright rather than even attempt to cover up his mess or give him another chance. Which also makes me believe that this People Magazine story is way too sanctified, and that the real story was probably ten times worse.
Fred Savage’s approach behind the camera was difficult on his crew, two production veterans who worked alongside Savage tell PEOPLE. The 45-year-old actor turned director made headlines last week for being fired from executive producing and directing ABC’s The Wonder Years reboot. He had faced allegations of misconduct on the show’s set.
According to the insider, Savage is “quick to anger.” Part of his process includes overshooting, a common practice in the industry but one that the source explains only makes things harder on the crew.
“He works his crews pretty hard by always doing more takes than necessary,” the insider says. “Some directors just overshoot. Sometimes they feel like they didn’t get the performance or want to try another angle or things like that. He overshoots and the days are longer, therefore giving more opportunities to snap at people.”
A second source adds that Savage “can have a temper and occasional outbursts.”
Savage’s reps have not returned PEOPLE’s previous request for comment. He has also not made any comment on his exit from The Wonder Years reboot.
“He hasn’t seemed stressed,” a third source tells PEOPLE, adding that the star spent the weekend with his wife Jennifer Lynn at their West L.A. home. “He seems pretty relaxed and enjoying some time off.”
I don’t doubt that this was one of the problems with Savage, but overshooting or snapping at coworkers isn’t what I would consider “misconduct” punishable by firing. Overshooting sounds like a symptom of a larger problem, which is that he’s a controlling bully.
People are also going back and examining the 2019 lawsuit brought against Savage by Youngjoo Hwang, a costumer on The Grinder. She accused him of assault and harassment, and her lawyer found that there was at least one other lawsuit against Savage previously. How many years have studios and networks been paying off people (women) to drop their complaints and HR claims?
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
Fred Savage at the 37th College Television Awards, Skirball Cultural Center, Los Angeles, CA 05-25-16,Image: 530912985, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Martin Sloan / Avalon 
Fred Savage at the Television Academy’s 70th Anniversary Celebration Gala, Television Academy, North Hollywood, CA 06-02-16 .com 818-249-4998,Image: 531090175, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS- Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Martin Sloan / Avalon 
Fred Savage at the Television Academy’s 70th Anniversary Celebration Gala, Television Academy, North Hollywood, CA 06-02-16 .com 818-249-4998,Image: 531090207, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: WORLD RIGHTS- Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Photoshot – sales@photoshot.com London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Berlin: +49 (0) 30 76 212 251, Model Release: no, Credit line: Martin Sloan / AvalonncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcG5maYRye8WrnJ2Xo5bDorPEmK6aq4%2BmwqqvypirqJeRo7Smvr6aqpiZj5m2s7HCraarl5iarLi71KWbmKemmr%2B0tM6oq5irk5q7pr%2BO