Premiere set for Clooney-backed documentary on Richard Strauss OSU sex abuse scandal
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — A documentary investigating the Dr. Richard Strauss sex abuse scandal at Ohio State University will make its world premiere this summer at the Tribeca Film Festival.
The line up for the June festival was announced Wednesday morning and will feature the documentary, titled 'Surviving Ohio State.' The film investigates Strauss' alleged sexual assault of hundreds of students, nearly all young men, during his time as a university athletics physician. NBC4 confirmed it will also air later this spring on HBO.
'Surviving Ohio State' is produced by George Clooney's production company and was directed by Academy Award winner Eva Orner. The project was initially announced in February 2022. The film will be shown three times at the festival, including its world premiere on June 9 at 5:30 p.m. Tickets for the event go on sale April 29.
The film features former OSU students and athletes who say they were sexually abused by Strauss over a 20-year period. The film also interviews NBC4's Colleen Marshall because of her award-winning series of reports on the Strauss scandal.
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Strauss was varsity team sports doctor from 1978 to 1998, during which he sexually abused and harassed hundreds of students under the guise of medical exams. He died by suicide in 2005.
Five federal lawsuits filed by Strauss survivors are still pending, including accusations that the university turned a blind eye to the abuse or even covered it up. Ohio State has settled with several hundred survivors, paying more than $60 million to victims after an independent investigation in 2019 found university officials were aware of the abuse as early as 1979. OSU said it does not comment on pending litigation.
'Ohio State led the effort to investigate and expose Richard Strauss, and we express our deep regret and apologies to all who experienced Strauss' abuse,' Ohio State spokesperson Ben Johnson said about the film. 'The university is forever grateful to the survivors who participated in the independent investigation, which could not have been completed without their strength and courage.'
Victims also allege former coaches helped cover up the abuse, including prominent Ohio Republican and U.S. Rep. Jim Jordan. Former athletes and referees said they told Jordan about Strauss' actions, but Jordan maintains he never knew of any abuse allegations. Jordan's time as a wrestling coach is expected to be mentioned in the film.
Johnson said the university covers therapy costs and other medical treatment for victims, and has reimbursed past costs for treatment received in the past. He confirmed Ohio State was not involved in the film's production.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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