Warner Bros chief Kevin Tsujihara, one of the highest-ranking Hollywood executives to be felled by sexual misconduct allegations, has stepped down from the studio following claims that he promised roles to an actress in exchange for sex.

Key points: Text messages between Kevin Tsujihara and British actress Charlotte Kirk suggested a quid pro quo sexual relationship

Text messages between Kevin Tsujihara and British actress Charlotte Kirk suggested a quid pro quo sexual relationship Ms Kirk has denied any inappropriate behaviour by Mr Tsujihara, or two other executives, James Packer and Brett Ratner

Ms Kirk has denied any inappropriate behaviour by Mr Tsujihara, or two other executives, James Packer and Brett Ratner Mr Tsujihara said his continued leadership had become a distraction for the company

John Stankey, chief executive of parent company WarnerMedia, announced Mr Tsujihara's exit as chairman and chief executive of Warner Bros, saying his departure was in the studio's "best interest".

"Kevin has contributed greatly to the studio's success over the past 25 years and for that we thank him," Mr Stankey said.

"Kevin acknowledges that his mistakes are inconsistent with the company's leadership expectations and could impact the company's ability to execute going forward."

Earlier this month, WarnerMedia launched an investigation after a Hollywood Reporter story detailed text messages between Mr Tsujihara, 54, and British actress Charlotte Kirk going back to 2013.

The messages suggested a quid pro quo sexual relationship between the aspiring actress and the studio head in which he made promises that he would introduce her to influential executives and she would be considered for roles in movies and television.

In a memo to Warner Bros staff on Monday, Mr Tsujihara said he was departing "after lengthy introspection, and discussions with John Stankey over the past week".

"It has become clear that my continued leadership could be a distraction and an obstacle to the company's continued success," Mr Tsujihara said.

"The hard work of everyone within our organisation is truly admirable, and I won't let media attention on my past detract from all the great work the team is doing."

Hollywood executive 'never promised me anything'

Mr Tsujihara, who has headed the Burbank, California, studio since 2013, earlier apologised to Warner Bros staff for "mistakes in my personal life that have caused pain and embarrassment to the people I love the most".

WarnerMedia said its investigation into the situation, carried out by a third-party law firm, was continuing.

Ms Kirk appeared in Warner Bros' How to Be Single in 2016 and Ocean's 8 in 2018.

Ms Kirk denied any inappropriate behaviour on the part of Mr Tsujihara. ( Reuters: Mike Segar )

She has denied any inappropriate behaviour on the part of Mr Tsujihara or two other executives, Brett Ratner and James Packer, with whom she communicated.

"Mr. Tsujihara never promised me anything," Ms Kirk said in an earlier statement.

The scandal unfolded just as Warner Bros was restructuring on the heels of AT&T's takeover of WarnerMedia, previously known as Time Warner.

Mr Tsujihara had presided over a largely positive Warner Bros era with little fanfare.

A former home video and video game executive at the company, he has leaned heavily on franchise creation with mixed results.

After poor marks from fans and critics, the studio's DC Comics films have recently been retooled and found their footing in hits like Wonder Woman and Aquaman.

Other franchises like The Lego Movie and the Harry Potter spinoff Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, have sputtered in their latest incarnations.

Warner Bros will now begin a search for a new studio chief as it also prepares to launch a streaming service designed to compete with Netflix.

AP