Geoffrey Rush responds to allegations of inappropriate behaviour

Geoffrey Rush said he would be taking legal action against The Daily Telegraph for publishing reports about the claims, which he dubbed "false", "demeaning", and "intolerable". Photo / Getty Images

Veteran Australian actor Geoffrey Rush has broken his silence on the allegations of inappropriate behaviour being made against him, dubbing the claims "intolerable" and announcing he's filed a defamation lawsuit.

Rush, 66, faced media in Melbourne on Friday where he denied the claims that allegedly occurred during his time with the Sydney Theatre Company's production of King Lear in 2015.

The actor said he would be taking legal action against The Daily Telegraph for publishing reports about the claims, which he dubbed "false", "demeaning", and "intolerable".

"It is an action I'm taking in order to redress the slurs, innuendo and hyperbole that they have created around my standing in the entertainment industry and in the greater community," he said.

"This has created irreparable damage to my reputation, has been extremely hurtful to my wife, my daughter and my son and to my extended family as well as to many colleagues in the film, told vision and theatre industry.

"The situation is intolerable and I must now seek vindication of my good name through the courts."

Following the statement, Rush did not take questions from reporters. The matter will go before the Federal Court in Sydney on February 8.

In response to Rush's decision, The Daily Telegraph's editor Chris Dore defended the newspaper's decison to publish the story.

"The Daily Telegraph accurately reported the Sydney Theatre Company received a complaint alleging that Mr Geoffrey Rush had engaged in inappropriate behaviour," Dore said.

"We will defend our position in court."

Today's press conference is Rush's first public appearance since the claims were reported.

Following last week's reports of the incident, The Sydney Theatre Company confirmed it received a complaint but would not disclose details of the allegations.

"At the time the complaint was made, the complainant requested that the matter be dealt with confidentially, and did not want Mr Rush notified or involved in any investigation," a statement read. The theatre company said it complied "in the interest of the complainant's health and welfare."

Soon after the allegations were reported, Rush stepped down as the president of the Australian Academy of Cinema and Television Arts Awards, just days before the organisation's seventh ceremony. He was absent from Wednesday's televised event in Sydney, where stars dodged questions from reporters about the allegations.

When asked about the claims being leveled against Rush, Australian actress Rachel Griffiths said the actor "is not Harvey Weinstein" — referencing the Hollywood mogul who faces multiple allegations of sexual misconduct.

"Geoffrey Rush is not Harvey Weinstein and I have had more than a handful of interactions with Harvey Weinstein," Griffiths told the ABC on the red carpet.

The veteran actor received acclaim for his breakthrough performance in the 1996 film Shine, which earnt him an Academy Award, Golden Globe and BAFTA.

Rush is one of Australia's most respected exports, starring in acclaimed films like Shakespeare in Love , Elizabeth and The King's Speech.

— with AAP