Update: Columbus Short Says ABC "Did the Right Thing" for Firing Him

[JamesG]

"Scandal" Actor Arrested, Faces Up To 4 Years in Prison
by DOMINIC PATTEN
March 26, 2014


Columbus Short seemed to have taken the whole Gladiator thing a bit too far and now could find himself behind bars for up to 4 years. The "Scandal" regular was arrested by the Claremont Police Department on a warrant today and released on $50,000 bail, according to the L.A. County D.A.’s office.

The arrest comes one day after Short was charged with one count of felony battery with serious bodily harm over an alleged brawl in a West L.A. restaurant on March 15 that saw the other guy KO’d.



Short has played lawyer Harrison Wright on the hit ABC show since Season 1. His character is part of the elite crew of high-level D.C. fixer Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington).

ABC and creator Shonda Rhimes’ had no comment on the West L.A. incident.



Sources say it didn’t affect production on the latest season of "Scandal", which wraps this week. However, with a potential multi-year stint in state prison if found guilty, Short’s future on the show beyond this season is uncertain.

The actor is expected to be arraigned on the felony charge within the next 30 days.

http://www.deadline.com/2014/03/scan...shonda-rhimes/

[JamesG]

"Scandal" Star Columbus Short's Wife Files for Divorce
Apr 17, 2014
by Natalie Abrams


Columbus Short's wife has filed for divorce on Tuesday, according to People.

The "Scandal" star's wife Tuere Tanee Short was also granted a temporary restraining order after alleging that Short threatened to kill her and himself last week. She is also seeking full custody of their 2-year-old daughter, Ayala.



The news comes less than a month after Short was arrested on a charge of felony battery stemming from a March 15 altercation at a West Hollywood restaurant in which he allegedly punched a man at an engagement party. The victim suffered a broken nose and was rendered unconscious for several minutes.

Short was also reportedly arrested several other times for violent behavior, including twice in February for alleged physical altercations with his wife. He pled not guilty to spousal battery and child abuse last month.


The couple wed in 2005.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Scandal-...e-1080620.aspx

[TMC]

http://www.eurweb.com/2014/04/the-ta...olumbus-short/

"Moral clauses were created for a reason,” Tanya Tatum says of the recent allegations against Short, "and if ever there were cause to incite one, it is when fully grown men threaten and beat their wives in front of their helpless children. Not only will his continued employment hurt the show’s reputation, I believe many of your fans will turn the channel before turning a blind eye to his abusive behavior.”
Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/tv-tattle#Jl1TkvmrVEIZD4I9.99

[JamesG]

"Scandal" Shocker: Columbus Short Not Returning for Season 4
Apr 25, 2014
by Natalie Abrams


Another member of OPA has checked out.

Columbus Short will not return for the fourth season of ABC's "Scandal", TVGuide.com has confirmed. A source says that the actor's contract option was not picked up.





"At this time I must confirm my exit from a show I've called home for 3 years, with what is the most talented ensemble on television today," Short said in a statement.

"I would like to first thank Shonda Rhimes for the opportunity to work with such an amazing cast. Thank you Gladiators, who have supported me throughout my entire career and of course to ABC and Shondaland for allowing me to play such a pivotal role in the Scandal series. I have enjoyed every single minute of it.

Everything must come to an end and unfortunately the time has come for Harrison Wright to exit the canvas. I wish nothing but the best for Shonda, Kerry and the rest of the cast, who have become like a second family to me in such a short amount of time. For this, I will forever be grateful."





During the season finale, Short's character Harrison deduced that Olivia's (Kerry Washington) father had orchestrated the murder of the President's (Tony Goldwyn) son in a bid to get him reelected so that Rowan (Joe Morton) could regain his position as Command of B613. To prevent Harrison from revealing the truth to Olivia, it appeared Rowan ordered Secret Service/B613 Agent Tom (Brian Letscher) to kill him.

In the final moments of the episode, Tom had his gun raised to shoot Harrison before the scene cut away. While it's not confirmed, it seems highly likely that Harrison is, indeed, dead.





The news comes on the heels of Short's personal problems. His wife filed for divorce and was granted a temporary restraining order after she alleged that the actor threatened to kill her and himself.

A month earlier, Short was arrested on a felony battery charge stemming from a March 15 altercation at a West Hollywood restaurant in which he allegedly punched a man at an engagement party.

Short was also reportedly arrested several other times for violent behavior, including twice in February for alleged physical altercations with his wife. He pled not guilty to spousal battery and child abuse in March.

http://www.tvguide.com/News/Scandal-...4-1080910.aspx

[JamesG]

Columbus Short on "Scandal" Firing: "They Did the Right Thing"
by Michael Ausiello
July 7, 2014


Embattled "Scandal" co-star Columbus Short is speaking out for the first time about his exit from the ABC hit, suggesting that the network — and not series creator Shonda Rhimes — was behind his dismissal.

“They did not throw me to the curb like trash — that’s my family,” the actor told Access Hollywood. “They knew that I was going through a tough season and rallied around me and wrapped their arms around me, from Shonda to the craft service man. We’re a family.”

“I think, at a certain point, when you’re hearing a barrage of stories after stories, ABC justifiably would want to distance themselves,” he added. “They did the right thing.”





Short — whose "Scandal" character, Harrison Wright, ended the season staring down the barrel of a gun — was informed back in April that his Season 4 contract option was not being picked up.

This news followed a difficult few weeks for Short, who was accused of threatening wife Tanee Short. And on Friday, he was arrested for public intoxication in Dallas, TX.

Asked if he had a drinking problem, Short told Access, “To be honest with you, I struggle with medicating with alcohol… and that’s a real truth. I think that deserves more looking in to.”

http://tvline.com/2014/07/07/scandal...harrison-dies/