From Hollywood to Healing: Eliza Dushku’s Inspiring Career Pivot After Harassment Scandal
Eliza Dushku, once celebrated for her roles in Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Dollhouse, has taken her career in an unexpected and transformative direction. After alleging sexual harassment by Bull co-star Michael Weatherly—a controversy that led to her abrupt exit from the show—Dushku left Hollywood behind to pursue a career in mental health, turning personal pain into a mission to help others heal.
The turning point came when Dushku accused Weatherly of persistent harassment during her time on Bull, which included inappropriate comments and bullying behavior. Speaking about the experience, Dushku revealed:
“[Michael] Weatherly s*xually harassed and bullied me day-in and day-out and would have gotten away with it had he not been caught on tape.”
Following her departure, Dushku returned to her Boston roots and enrolled at Lesley University to study holistic psychology. Immersing herself in academia, she focused on clinical mental health, specializing in psychedelic-assisted therapy to integrate evidence-based practices with holistic approaches. In a 2019 interview with Boston Magazine, she shared her passion for learning:
“I’ve written more papers than I ever thought possible, but I’ve got to say that I freakin’ love it. Growing up in Boston with my mom, who was a professor, I always felt like I wanted to learn something I could use to help other people.”
But Dushku’s mission didn’t end in the classroom. Alongside her husband, Peter Palandjian, she donated $7.5 million to Brigham and Women’s Hospital to support addiction recovery programs, a cause deeply personal to her. In 2017, Dushku opened up about her decade-long sobriety, using her platform to inspire others to seek help:
“Something a lot of people don’t know about me is that I’m an alcoholic and I was a drug addict for a lot of years. I’m always going to be that, but the difference is that I’m sober. I don’t drink and I don’t do drugs anymore.”
Dushku’s reinvention showcases her resilience and commitment to making a difference. Trading Hollywood scripts for a life of advocacy and clinical work, she’s proof that life’s darkest moments can lead to new, empowering chapters. Her journey is a testament to strength, reinvention, and the power of turning personal challenges into a force for good.
