Armie Hammer accused of rape four years ago in Los Angeles

A woman who identified herself only as Effie stands next to US actor Armie Hammer

Credit: Reuters

Armie Hammer, the Hollywood actor, has been accused of raping a young woman four years ago in Los Angeles, with police saying they are investigating the allegation.

Hammer’s lawyer called the allegation "outrageous" and said that all the actor’s sexual relationships were "completely consensual".

The rape allegation follows claims on social media in January by several women who accused the 34-year-old actor of emotional and physical abuse, and said he shared violent sexual fantasies. 

Hammer said at the time that he would not respond to what he called "vicious online attacks", but he was dropped by his representatives and from two Hollywood projects.

On Thursday, a woman who identified herself only as Effie, told a video news conference that she had been in a four-year romantic relationship with the actor, who was married to TV personality Elizabeth Chambers at the time.

"On April 24, 2017, Armie Hammer violently raped me for over four hours in Los Angeles, during which he repeatedly slammed my head against a wall, bruising my face," Effie, now 24, told reporters.

"He also committed other acts of violence against me, to which I did not consent," she said.

"During those four hours I tried to get away but he wouldn’t let me," she said through tears. "I thought that he was going to kill me. He then left with no concern for my well-being."

Effie’s attorney, Gloria Allred, said the woman had given evidence to police.

A Los Angeles Police Department spokesman said that "Armie Hammer is the named suspect in an alleged sexual assault investigation" that was opened on Feb. 3, 2021.

Hammer’s lawyer, Andrew Brettler, said in a statement that the woman’s own correspondence with his client "undermines and refutes her outrageous allegations."

"From day one, Mr. Hammer has maintained that all of his interactions with (Effie) — and every other sexual partner of his for that matter — have been completely consensual, discussed and agreed upon in advance, and mutually participatory," the statement added.

"With the truth on his side, Mr. Hammer welcomes the opportunity to set the record straight," Mr  Brettler said.

Mr Brettler said that as recently as July 2020, the accuser had sent graphic text messages to Hammer detailing her sexual desires.

Effie, who lives in Europe, said she met Hammer on Facebook in 2016 and fell in love with him. After the alleged rape, she said she had suffered traumatic flashbacks and had felt suicidal. She said she felt guilty about not speaking out sooner and hoped Hammer would "be held accountable."

Hammer and Chambers split up in July 2020 after 10 years of marriage.

Hammer first gained fame through playing twins in 2010’s "The Social Network," and is best known for his starring roles in 2017’s "Call Me By Your Name" and 2013’s "The Lone Ranger."

Most recently, Hammer starred in the Netflix remake of "Rebecca." A sequel to "Call Me by Your Name" with Timothee Chalamet has also been in development.