Los Angeles, Dec 8 (IANS): Oscar-winning Australian actor Geoffrey Rush has filed a defamation lawsuit against an Australian newspaper for publishing what he called false and "spurious" allegations against him.

Rush is suing the newspaper for claims of inappropriate behaviour towards a female cast member on the set of "King Lear".

Rush said Sydney's Daily Telegraph had caused "irreparable damage" to his reputation since the story was published on November 30, reports bbc.com.

The newspaper claimed the incident happened during the Sydney Theatre Company production in 2015. Rush has denied any wrongdoing.

The Oscar winner said he filed the lawsuit on Friday. The newspaper said it would defend its reporting.

"It is an action I am taking in order to redress the slurs, innuendo and hyperbole they have created around my standing in the entertainment industry and greater community," Rush told the media on Friday.

Rush said the newspaper, published by News Corp Australia, had "splashed spurious claims with bombastic titles on their front page".

Daily Telegraph editor Chris Dore said: "We will defend our position in court."

Rush is one of Australia's most celebrated actors, having starred in films including "Shine", "Elizabeth" and "The King's Speech".