Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Harvey Weinstein

Controversies are a part of history. Explore the biggest scandals linked to Harvey Weinstein.

Harvey Weinstein is a former American film producer and convicted sex offender. He co-founded Miramax in 1979, producing successful independent films like 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Shakespeare in Love,' the latter earning him an Academy Award. He also won seven Tony Awards for productions like 'The Producers' and 'Billy Elliot the Musical.' After leaving Miramax, he and his brother Bob established The Weinstein Company (TWC), where he served as co-chairman from 2005 to 2017.

Sections (6)

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

1977: Roman Polanski case

In September 2009, Harvey Weinstein publicly voiced opposition to efforts to extradite Roman Polanski from Switzerland to the U.S. regarding a 1977 charge that he had drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl.

1989: MPAA Rating Controversy

In 1989, Miramax Films released two films, Peter Greenaway's The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover and Pedro Almodóvar's Tie Me Up! Tie Me Down!, which received an X-rating from the MPAA. Harvey Weinstein sued the MPAA over the rating system. Although he lost the lawsuit, the MPAA introduced the NC-17 rating two months later.

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1993: Re-edited Farewell My Concubine

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

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1997: Alterations to Foreign Films

Harvey and Bob Weinstein have been 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).

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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. The film was eventually released after pressure from Michael Caine.

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2004: Repentant for aggressive discussions

In a 2004 New York magazine article, Harvey Weinstein appeared somewhat repentant for his often aggressive discussions with directors and producers.

October 13, 2008: Accusations 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.

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September 2009: Opposition to Polanski 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 took legal action

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

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February 2012: Moore dropped the lawsuit

In February 2012, Michael Moore dropped the lawsuit against Harvey Weinstein for an undisclosed settlement.

2013: Accusations of rape and sexual assault in Los Angeles

In 2013, Weinstein was accused of raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in Los Angeles, leading to further charges in 2020.

October 8, 2017: Fired from TWC

On October 8, 2017, Harvey Weinstein was fired from The Weinstein Company (TWC) after sexual abuse charges were released to the press.

October 10, 2017: Georgina Chapman announced separation

On October 10, 2017, Harvey Weinstein's wife, Georgina Chapman, announced that she was leaving him; their divorce was finalized in July 2021.

October 2017: Dismissed from company amidst sexual abuse allegations

In October 2017, Harvey Weinstein was dismissed from his company and expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences following sexual abuse allegations dating back to the late 1970s. More than 80 women made allegations of sexual harassment or rape against him by October 31, sparking the #MeToo campaign.

October 2017: Sexual Harassment Allegations

In October 2017, The New York Times and The New Yorker reported that more than a dozen women accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, assaulting, or raping them. These allegations led to his dismissal from his company, suspension from BAFTA, and expulsion from the Academy.

November 2017: Report of hiring Black Cube to suppress allegations

In November 2017, Ronan Farrow reported that Weinstein hired Black Cube, a private intelligence firm, to suppress abuse allegations. Black Cube tracked journalists and actresses, including Rose McGowan.

May 2018: Arrested and charged with rape

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

May 25, 2018: Charged with rape and sexual misconduct

On May 25, 2018, the New York County District Attorney's Office charged Weinstein with rape, criminal sex act, sex abuse, and sexual misconduct. He was arrested, posted US$1 million bail, surrendered his passport, and was required to wear an ankle monitor.

July 16, 2018: Shut down of TWC

On July 16, 2018, after attempts to sell the company or its library, The Weinstein Company (TWC) was shut down following a bankruptcy filing, with Lantern Entertainment purchasing all assets.

2019: Release of Untouchable documentary

In 2019, the documentary "Untouchable" was released, featuring interviews with several of Weinstein's accusers.

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February 2020: Found guilty of felony counts

In February 2020, Harvey Weinstein was found guilty of two of five felony counts and sentenced to 23 years in prison.

February 24, 2020: Convicted of sexual assault and rape

On February 24, 2020, Weinstein was convicted of criminal sexual assault and third-degree rape in New York. He was remanded to jail pending sentencing.

September 18, 2020: Stripped of honorary CBE

On September 18, 2020, Weinstein was stripped of his honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (CBE).

July 2021: Finalized divorce from Georgina Chapman

In July 2021, Harvey Weinstein's divorce from Georgina Chapman was finalized.

July 20, 2021: Extradited 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: New York court upholds conviction

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

June 8, 2022: Charged with indecent assault in London

On June 8, 2022, the Metropolitan Police formally charged Weinstein with two counts of indecent assault against a woman in London.

December 19, 2022: Found guilty 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: Sentenced to 16 years in prison in Los Angeles

On February 23, 2023, Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison for convictions in Los Angeles related to rape, forced oral copulation, and sexual misconduct.

April 11, 2023: Extradited back to New York

On April 11, 2023, Weinstein was extradited from California back to the Mohawk Correctional Facility in upstate New York.

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: New York Prosecutors Announce New Investigation

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

July 19, 2024: Judge Rules for Retrial in New York

On July 19, 2024, Judge Curtis Farber ruled that Weinstein would be retried for the overturned New York convictions, tentatively setting the retrial to begin on November 12, 2024.

September 12, 2024: Grand Jury Indictment

On September 12, 2024, a New York grand jury indicted Weinstein on new charges, as announced by prosecutors from the Manhattan District Attorney's office. The specific charges remain unknown.

September 18, 2024: Arraigned in New York for New Indictment

On September 18, 2024, Weinstein was arraigned in New York for this new indictment, entering a plea of not guilty to one count of criminal sexual act in the first degree.