Challenges Faced by Harvey Weinstein: Obstacles and Turning Points

A closer look at the defining struggles that shaped Harvey Weinstein's life and career.

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 plays and musicals. After Miramax, the Weinstein brothers founded The Weinstein Company (TWC), where Harvey served as co-chairman from 2005 to 2017.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1977: 1977 charge that he had drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl

In 1977, Roman Polanski had a charge that he had drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl, to which Polanski pleaded guilty before fleeing the country.

1989: MPAA Rating Controversy

In 1989, Miramax Films released The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover and Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, both of which received an X-rating from the MPAA rating board. Weinstein sued the MPAA over the rating system, resulting in the MPAA introducing the NC-17 rating two months later.

1993: Re-editing of Farewell My Concubine

In 1993, Harvey Weinstein re-edited Cannes Palme d'Or winner Farewell My Concubine for U.S. theatrical release, which angered jury head Louis Malle.

2002: Delay of The Quiet American Release

In 2002, Harvey Weinstein delayed the release of Phillip Noyce's The Quiet American following the September 11 attacks, citing audience reaction in test screenings to the film's critical tone toward past U.S. foreign policy.

2006: Alleged oral sex assault in Manhattan

In 2006, an alleged assault occurred at a Manhattan hotel involving Harvey Weinstein. A woman alleges he forced oral sex on her at a Manhattan hotel.

October 13, 2008: Accusation of Hassling Sydney Pollack

On October 13, 2008, Harvey Weinstein was accused of "hassling Sydney Pollack on his deathbed" about the release of the film The Reader.

September 2009: Opposition to Roman Polanski's Extradition

In September 2009, Harvey Weinstein publicly voiced opposition to efforts to extradite Roman Polanski from Switzerland to the U.S. regarding a 1977 charge.

February 2011: Michael Moore's Lawsuit

In February 2011, filmmaker Michael Moore took legal action against the Weinstein brothers, claiming they owed him $2.7 million in profits for his documentary Fahrenheit 9/11 (2004).

October 8, 2017: Firing from TWC

On October 8, 2017, Harvey Weinstein was fired from TWC after a list of sexual abuse charges was released to the press.

October 2017: Dismissal from The Weinstein Company

In October 2017, Harvey Weinstein was dismissed from The Weinstein Company and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences following sexual abuse allegations. More than 80 women made allegations. This sparked the #MeToo social media campaign.

October 2017: Sexual harassment and assault allegations against Weinstein reported

In October 2017, publications like The New York Times and The New Yorker reported accusations from over a dozen women detailing sexual harassment, assault, or rape by Harvey Weinstein. Following these allegations, Weinstein faced dismissal from his company, suspension from BAFTA, expulsion from the Academy, resignation from the DGA, and denouncements from political figures. Law enforcement agencies in Los Angeles, New York, and London initiated investigations into the sexual assault allegations during October 2017.

November 2017: Weinstein hired Black Cube to stop abuse allegation publication

In November 2017, Ronan Farrow reported in The New Yorker that Harvey Weinstein hired Black Cube, a private intelligence firm, to suppress the publication of sexual abuse allegations. Black Cube investigators reportedly tracked and met with journalists and actresses, including Rose McGowan, using false identities. They also allegedly compiled psychological profiles of dozens of individuals, focusing on personal and sexual histories.

May 2018: Arrest and rape charge in New York

In May 2018, Harvey Weinstein was arrested and charged with rape in New York.

May 25, 2018: Weinstein charged with sex crimes and arrested

On May 25, 2018, the New York County District Attorney's Office charged Harvey Weinstein with rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse, and sexual misconduct involving two women. Weinstein was arrested the same day, surrendering to the NYPD, and was released on US$1 million bail. His passport was surrendered, and he was required to wear an ankle monitor, restricting his travel to New York and Connecticut.

January 6, 2020: Weinstein charged in Los Angeles and trial date set

On January 6, 2020, a trial date was set for Harvey Weinstein's New York case. On the same date, Weinstein was charged in Los Angeles with raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in 2013.

February 2020: Conviction on felony counts

In February 2020, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of two of five felony counts in New York and was sentenced to 23 years in prison, beginning his sentence at Wende Correctional Facility.

February 24, 2020: Weinstein convicted of sexual assault and rape

On February 24, 2020, Harvey Weinstein was convicted of criminal sexual assault in the first degree and rape in the third degree, but found not guilty of predatory sexual assault. He was remanded to jail at Rikers Island pending his sentencing hearing.

September 18, 2020: Weinstein stripped of honorary CBE

On September 18, 2020, Harvey Weinstein was stripped of his honorary CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) following his conviction for rape and sexual assault earlier that year.

July 20, 2021: Extradition to Los Angeles

On July 20, 2021, Harvey Weinstein was extradited to Los Angeles to face further charges at a subsequent trial.

June 2, 2022: Conviction upheld on appeal

On June 2, 2022, the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division, First Department upheld Harvey Weinstein's convictions and judgment on appeal.

June 8, 2022: Weinstein charged with indecent assault in London

On June 8, 2022, Harvey Weinstein was formally charged by the Metropolitan Police with two counts of indecent assault against a woman in London, which allegedly occurred between July 31 and August 31, 1996.

August 25, 2022: Weinstein granted further appeal

On August 25, 2022, Harvey Weinstein was granted a further appeal before the New York Court of Appeals.

October 2022: Trial commenced in Los Angeles

In October 2022, Harvey Weinstein's trial in Los Angeles commenced. He was charged with 11 counts of rape, forcible oral copulation, and sexual battery, stemming from alleged acts between 2004 and 2013.

December 19, 2022: Guilty verdict in Los Angeles trial

On December 19, 2022, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of three of seven charges in the Los Angeles trial.

February 23, 2023: Weinstein sentenced to 16 years in prison in Los Angeles

On February 23, 2023, Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison for convictions in Los Angeles. The sentence in California prisons must be served consecutively to his time served in New York. Weinstein is appealing the Los Angeles conviction.

April 2023: Extradition back to New York

In April 2023, Harvey Weinstein was extradited from California to New York, returning to Mohawk Correctional Facility.

April 2024: New York convictions overturned, Weinstein moved back to Rikers Island

In April 2024, Harvey Weinstein's New York convictions were overturned, and plans were made to retry him in New York City. Weinstein was transferred back to Riker's Island prison.

April 25, 2024: New York rape convictions overturned

On April 25, 2024, the New York Court of Appeals overturned Harvey Weinstein's New York rape convictions due to "egregious errors" of procedure, ordering a retrial. Weinstein remained in prison because of the California conviction.

July 9, 2024: Investigation underway for new sexual assault claims

On July 9, 2024, New York prosecutors announced an investigation for additional claims against Harvey Weinstein for sexual assault, including claims that fall within the state's statute of limitations.

July 2024: Weinstein admitted to hospital with COVID-19 and pneumonia

In July 2024, Harvey Weinstein was admitted to the prison ward of Bellevue Hospital with what his lawyers said were COVID-19 and double pneumonia.

July 19, 2024: Retrial ruled for New York sex abuse charges

On July 19, 2024, it was ruled that Harvey Weinstein would be retried for the New York sex abuse charges, with a retrial start date tentatively set for November 12, 2024.

September 9, 2024: Weinstein underwent emergency heart surgery

On September 9, 2024, Harvey Weinstein underwent emergency heart surgery at Bellevue and was said to be in critical condition for a time afterward.

September 12, 2024: New York grand jury indicts Weinstein on new charges

On September 12, 2024, a New York grand jury indicted Harvey Weinstein on new charges, as announced by prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's office. The specific charges were unknown at the time, as the indictment was sealed.

September 2024: Transfer to Rikers Island

After the 2024 New York Court of Appeals decision, in September 2024, Harvey Weinstein was transferred back to New York's Rikers Island jail, with plans being made for a retrial to take place in New York.

September 2024: Possible start date of retrial

In September 2024, previous plans for a retrial to begin in September 2024 were still considered an option, but the start date of the retrial was dependent on pretrial discoveries.

September 18, 2024: Weinstein arraigned in New York on new indictment

On September 18, 2024, Harvey Weinstein was arraigned in New York for the new indictment, entering a plea of not guilty to one count of criminal sexual act in the first degree. The prosecution filed a motion to consolidate the new charges into Weinstein's retrial.

October 2024: Weinstein diagnosed with leukemia

In October 2024, it was reported that Harvey Weinstein had been diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia.

October 23, 2024: Retrial postponed

On October 23, 2024, Harvey Weinstein's trial was further postponed; the judge set a pretrial hearing for January 29, 2025.

November 12, 2024: Original tentative start date for the retrial

On November 12, 2024, the retrial start date was tentatively scheduled for Harvey Weinstein's New York sex abuse charges.

December 2, 2024: Weinstein hospitalized in Manhattan

On December 2, 2024, Harvey Weinstein was hospitalized in Manhattan due to blood test results that were described as "alarming".

January 29, 2025: Retrial Date Set for April 15, 2025

On January 29, 2025, State Judge Curtis Farber announced that Harvey Weinstein will face retrial in New York on rape charges on April 15, 2025. The retrial will include a new allegation involving a woman who was not in the original case. The woman alleges he forced oral sex on her at a Manhattan hotel in 2006.