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.
Columbus mayor speaks with NBC4 ahead of state of the city address
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.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
George Clooney's Wife Is Now 'Happiest Person' After Hair Change
All eyes were on George Clooney earlier this when he dyed his hair black for the Broadway play "Good Night, and Good Luck." Clooney joked about his dark hair during an appearance on "Late Night with Seth Meyers" earlier this month. The Academy Award winner said, "It looks like [I'm] going through some horrible midlife crisis." It turns out Clooney's wife, Amal, wasn't a huge fan of his dark hair either. Although she found it to be "funny," she was more than ready for her husband to go back to his natural look. During the 78th Annual Tony Awards this past Sunday, the "Ocean's Eleven" actor showed off his grey hair. Unsurprisingly, his wife was more than happy to say goodbye to the black hair dye. "Oh man, my wife [Amal] was the happiest person when I came home after the play today and I'd cut all the hair off," Clooney told People. "Because, you know, I looked like a drug dealer with that bad black dye job." Clooney wasn't fond of his look for broadway, but he did receive a ton of recognition for playing the role of broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow. "Good Night, and Good Luck" aired on CNN this past Saturday. People noted it was the first time a live Broadway performance was simultaneously televised. Clooney thought it was a great idea to expand the show's audience. "I thought it wouldn't be bad for other people to be able to see this and see it at home for free," Clooney said. We'll see what's next for the 64-year-old actor. George Clooney's Wife Is Now 'Happiest Person' After Hair Change first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 10, 2025
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
College Football Fans Emotional After College GameDay's Announcement On Week 1 Location
College Football Fans Emotional After College GameDay's Announcement On Week 1 Location originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Beloved "College GameDay" analyst Lee Corso is gearing up for his final show after becoming a mainstay on Fall Saturdays. Advertisement The former Indiana head coach made his first headgear selection back in 1996 ahead of Ohio State-Penn State in Columbus. Corso picked the Buckeyes and began what would ultimately become one of college football's most popular traditions. After nearly 40 years of working on the acclaimed ESPN show – and another almost three decades of headgear selections – Corso plans to retire after Week 1 of the 2025 season. Returning to where it all started, Corso and the "College GameDay" crew will be on campus at Ohio State on Aug. 30 to preview the highly-anticipated matchup between the Buckeyes and the Texas Longhorns, ESPN announced. ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso wearing the Brutus head© Austin Hough / South Bend Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK "We're kicking off College GameDay with a trip to Texas-Ohio State, as we celebrate Lee Corso's final show back where he first made headgear history!" the release read. Advertisement Fans took to social media to respond to Tuesday's news, with some thanking Corso for the memories and others noting their excitement for the destination of his final headgear pick. "It's just not gonna be the same without him," one fan wrote. "Saturday mornings will never be the same!!" another fan agreed. "Heck yeah!!! Let's goooooo!!!" one added. "This one is going to be emotional celebrating coach Corso!! It's the only place that GameDay should be for this." "It's only fitting Texas/OSU is his final show," one wrote. "It's only right that Lee Corso makes his first and final headgear pick in Columbus at Ohio Stadium," a fan added. "81 days and counting. It's going to be an emotional morning at Ohio State. Get the tissues ready for College GameDay." Advertisement "You will be missed. No one made me laugh more on Saturdays," a fan responded. Thank you." "College GameDay" is scheduled to air live from Columbus beginning at 9 a.m. ET on Aug. 30 before Ohio State-Texas kicks off at noon ET on Fox. Related: Nation's No. 1 RB Sounds Off Against Recruiting Report After Ohio State Visit Related: Arch Manning's Weaknesses Revealed Ahead of Potential Breakout Season at Texas This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 10, 2025, where it first appeared.

Elle
2 hours ago
- Elle
Miley Cyrus Reflects on How Her ‘Relationships Fell Apart' During Her 'Bangerz' Era
In an appearance on Monica Lewinsky's Wondery podcast, Reclaiming, Miley Cyrus is revisiting the fallout from her news-making Bangerz era. In the episode released today, the singer reflects on how the provocative image she cultivated over 10 years ago came at a steep price. 'I lost everything during that time in my personal life because of the choices I was making professionally,' she tells Lewinsky. The 32-year-old explains that flaunting her body onstage and in photo shoots created tension both at home and in her love life. 'If I kept dressing or acting a certain way, my relationships fell apart. No one wanted to date me because they didn't want to be with a woman whose sexual expression was shared with the world,' she says, noting that even her siblings occasionally skipped school to avoid their classmates' taunts. 'There was even a time where my brother and sister didn't want to go to school because of how humiliated they were to be related to me,' Cyrus revealed. 'I remember my brother at one point he was saying, 'I don't judge you, but you could understand how hard it is for me to go to school, and you be my sister.'' Family dynamics surfaced repeatedly in the conversation. Cyrus recalled feeling ashamed to face her father, Billy Ray, revealing it was difficult to 'go home and see my dad and like look him in the eyes and not feel super embarrassed.' Those experiences informed another song she's written, called 'Secrets.' While that track is not yet officially released, fans can listen to Cyrus's latest work on her ninth album, Something Beautiful, which dropped last month, followed by a visual film at the Tribeca Film Festival last weekend.