Oscar-winning actor Geoffrey Rush has sued The Daily Telegraph for defamation, after the tabloid newspaper published two front page stories alleging he has been accused of "inappropriate behaviour" and "inappropriate touching" during the Sydney Theatre Company's production of King Lear.

In the statement of claim, filed in the Federal Court, Mr Rush has alleged two front page The Daily Telegraph stories portray him as a "pervert" and suggest he "behaved as a sexual predator" while working on the production.