American actor Alec Baldwin has confessed that he has “bullied” women during his career.

His admission came on Thursday amid the growing sexual harassment scandal in Hollywood.

Mr Baldwin made the remarks during a speech at the Paley Centre for Media in New York where he was being honoured.

Speaking to a crowded room, the Emmy-Award winning actor said that there needed to be a change in how women are treated in the film and TV industry and also in other work places.

Baldwin said: "I certainly have treated women in a very sexist way. I've bullied women. I've overlooked women. I've underestimated women. Not as a rule,"

He added "From time to time, I've done what a lot of men do, which is…when you don't treat women the same way you treat men".

The star went on to say that he grew up in a generation where women were not treated the same as men and that he would like to change that.

Speaking about the rumours of sexual harassment circulating in Hollywood, Baldwin said: "I knew of certain things, that there were rumours of things happening to people, but I didn't necessarily know the scope, when you hear the hundreds and hundreds of women who are complaining about this".

He continued: "It's been a very eye-opening experience for me personally. We've got to be vigilant in a new way to make sure that everybody is comfortable and that we get the job done together that we're there to do."

He said in order to move forward that “it's important for us to try to make the workplace and beyond not only comfortable and right and fair and appropriate but as productive, as well."

The 30 Rock star concluded that “a lot of what we're dealing with within this issue is hurting our business. It's making it less productive".