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8 times Matt Lauer made headlines for his controversial on-air behavior

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Following claims of "inappropriate sexual behavior," Wednesday morning’s news that "Today Show" host Matt Lauer had been terminated from his position shocked the internet.

But Lauer has been accused of making some feel uncomfortable during interviews quite a few times in the past. From film stars to political novas, a search into Lauer’s past shows that he has had his fair share of awkward and controversial remarks towards show guests and co-hosts.

He brought up Anne Hathaway's "up-skirt" paparazzi photos

NBC

While promoting the 2012 release of Tom Hooper’s film adaptation of the musical blockbuster "Les Misérables," Oscar winner Anne Hathaway stopped by "Today" to speak with Lauer. The conversation quickly changed from her star-turning role as Fantine to recent paparazzi "up-skirt" photos of Hathaway exiting a vehicle when not wearing underwear.

"Let’s just get it out of the way. You had a little wardrobe malfunction the other night. What’s the lesson learned from something like that? Other than that you keep smiling, which you’ll always do," he asked at the start of the interview.

Hathaway responded by explaining how sad the situation made her, then returning the conversation back to "Les Misérables."

"I’m sorry that we live in a culture that commodifies sexuality of unwilling participants," she said, "which brings us back to 'Les Mis' because that’s what [my] character is. She is someone who is forced to sell sex to benefit her child because she has nothing and there’s no social safety net, so yeah—let’s get back to 'Les Mis.'"

Katie Couric claimed Lauer pinched her “on the ass”

Bravo

Also in 2012, news anchor Katie Couric stopped by Andy Cohen’s "Watch What Happens Live" on Bravo to play everyone’s favorite segment: "Plead the Fifth." Couric and Lauer worked together on "Today" for 15 years until she left the network in 2006. Among the questions, Cohen asked Couric what Lauer’s most annoying habit was. Seemed like an innocent question, right? Well, Couric did not hold back.

"He pinches me on the ass a lot," she said after hesitating for a second. She alleged it happened "a lot." Cohen laughed it off by saying "Wow, I wouldn’t have a problem with that!"

He took a controversial tone with Hillary Clinton

NBC

Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton had one awkward and often talked about 2016 interview with Lauer.

During the 30-minute town hall, Lauer interrupted Clinton while she attempted to answer his questions. Supporters took issue with Lauer's demeanor and attitude towards Clinton, especially given the fact that when interviewing fellow nominee, and now President, Donald Trump, Lauer appeared to let him talk more freely.

Supporters were outraged about the way they felt Clinton was treated during the interview. Clinton even discussed the matter in her recent book, "What Happened," dedicating a handful of pages to the situation. She wrote, "I watched Lauer soft-pedal Trump’s interview … Then he failed to call Trump out on his lies about Iraq. I was almost physically sick."

See the rest of the story at Business Insider