Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Harvey Weinstein
From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Harvey Weinstein made an impact.
Harvey Weinstein is an American film producer and convicted sex offender. He co-founded Miramax in 1979 with his brother Bob, producing successful independent films like 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Shakespeare in Love,' for which he won an Academy Award. He also won seven Tony Awards for producing plays and musicals. After Miramax, he co-founded The Weinstein Company (TWC) with his brother and served as co-chairman. Weinstein's career was later overshadowed by numerous allegations of sexual assault and harassment, leading to his conviction.
1979: Co-founded Miramax
In 1979, Harvey Weinstein and his brother Bob Weinstein co-founded Miramax, an entertainment company.
May 1982: Release of The Secret Policeman's Other Ball
In May 1982, Miramax Films released "The Secret Policeman's Other Ball", becoming its first hit and raising money for Amnesty International.
1988: Release of "The Thin Blue Line"
In 1988, Miramax Films gained wider attention with the release of Errol Morris' documentary "The Thin Blue Line".
1989: Controversy over X-Rated Films and MPAA Lawsuit
In 1989, Miramax Films released two arthouse films that received an X-rating from the MPAA, leading to a lawsuit against the MPAA rating system.
1989: Miramax Produced "Sex, Lies, and Videotape"
In 1989, Miramax produced the successful independent film "Sex, Lies, and Videotape".
1989: Release of "Sex, Lies, and Videotape"
In 1989, the successful launch release of Steven Soderbergh's "Sex, Lies, and Videotape" propelled Miramax Films to become the most successful independent studio in America.
1992: Miramax Produced "The Crying Game"
In 1992, Miramax produced "The Crying Game", a successful independent film.
1993: Re-edited Farewell My Concubine
In 1993, Harvey Weinstein re-edited Cannes Palme d'Or winner Farewell My Concubine for U.S. theatrical release. 1993 Cannes jury head Louis Malle was furious.
1993: Disney Acquired Miramax Films
In 1993, after the success of "The Crying Game", Disney acquired Miramax Films for $80 million.
1994: Miramax Produced "Pulp Fiction" and "Heavenly Creatures"
In 1994, Miramax produced "Pulp Fiction" and "Heavenly Creatures".
1995: "Pulp Fiction" nominated for Best Picture
In 1995, "Pulp Fiction" was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture but lost to "Forrest Gump".
1996: Miramax Produced "Flirting with Disaster"
In 1996, Miramax produced "Flirting with Disaster".
1997: Criticized for Altering Foreign Films
In 1997, Harvey Weinstein was criticized for altering the vision of foreign filmmakers hired to create movies for Miramax, such as on the 1997 projects Mimic (directed by Guillermo del Toro) and Nightwatch (directed by Dane Ole Bornedal).
1997: Miramax Wins First Best Picture Academy Award
In 1997, Miramax Films won its first Academy Award for Best Picture with "The English Patient".
1998: Miramax Produced "Shakespeare in Love"
In 1998, Miramax produced "Shakespeare in Love".
1998: Success of Shakespeare in Love
In 1998, Miramax released "Shakespeare in Love", which received several awards, including numerous Academy Awards.
2002: Delayed Release of The Quiet American
In 2002, Harvey Weinstein delayed the release of Phillip Noyce's "The Quiet American" following the September 11 attacks due to audience reaction.
2004: Repentant for Aggressive Discussions
In 2004, Harvey Weinstein appeared somewhat repentant for his often aggressive discussions with directors and producers in a New York magazine article.
2004: Documentary Fahrenheit 9/11
In 2004, the documentary Fahrenheit 9/11, which Michael Moore accused the Weinstein brothers of owing him $2.7 million in profits, was released.
September 30, 2005: Weinstein Brothers Form The Weinstein Company
On September 30, 2005, the Weinstein brothers left Miramax Films to form their own production company, The Weinstein Company (TWC).
2005: Co-founded The Weinstein Company
In 2005, Harvey Weinstein co-founded The Weinstein Company (TWC) with his brother Bob.
October 2017: Weinstein Steps Down from Robin Hood Foundation Board
Until October 2017, Harvey Weinstein served on the board of the Robin Hood Foundation, a New York City-based non-profit, and co-chaired one of its annual benefits.
2017: Weinstein Co-Chairman Until 2017
Harvey Weinstein served as co-chairman of The Weinstein Company alongside Bob Weinstein from 2005 until 2017.
July 16, 2018: The Weinstein Company Shut Down
On July 16, 2018, after filing for bankruptcy, The Weinstein Company was shut down.
