History of Harvey Weinstein in Timeline
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.
March 19, 1952: Harvey Weinstein Born
On March 19, 1952, Harvey Weinstein was born in Queens, New York City.
1966: Academy Award Speeches Mentions
Between 1966 and 2016, Harvey Weinstein was thanked or praised in 34 Academy Award acceptance speeches, as many times as God, and second only to Steven Spielberg.
1969: Attended the State University of New York at Buffalo
In 1969, Harvey Weinstein attended the State University of New York at Buffalo.
1973: Left the State University of New York at Buffalo
In 1973, Harvey Weinstein left the State University of New York at Buffalo to focus on his business interests.
1976: Father's death
In 1976, Harvey Weinstein's father, Max Weinstein, a diamond cutter, passed away.
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.
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", a movie created by editing two British benefit shows filmed for Amnesty International. This film became Miramax's first hit and raised considerable funds for Amnesty International.
1988: Wider attention with The Thin Blue Line
In 1988, Harvey Weinstein and Miramax Films gained wider attention with the release of Errol Morris' documentary The Thin Blue Line, which detailed the struggle of Randall Dale Adams.
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.
1989: Launch of Sex, Lies, and Videotape
In 1989, Miramax Films' successful launch release of Steven Soderbergh's Sex, Lies, and Videotape propelled the company to become the most successful independent studio in America.
1989: Miramax produced Sex, Lies, and Videotape
In 1989, Miramax, co-founded by Harvey Weinstein, produced the successful independent film Sex, Lies, and Videotape.
1992: Miramax produced The Crying Game
In 1992, Miramax, co-founded by Harvey Weinstein, produced the successful independent film The Crying Game.
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.
1993: Disney Acquired Miramax Films
In 1993, after the success of The Crying Game, Disney offered the Weinsteins $80 million for ownership of Miramax Films, which the brothers accepted, solidifying their Hollywood influence.
1994: Miramax produced Pulp Fiction and Heavenly Creatures
In 1994, Miramax, co-founded by Harvey Weinstein, produced the successful independent films Pulp Fiction and Heavenly Creatures.
1995: Pulp Fiction nominated for Academy Award
In 1995, Pulp Fiction was nominated for an Academy Award but lost to Forrest Gump.
1996: Miramax produced Flirting with Disaster
In 1996, Miramax, co-founded by Harvey Weinstein, produced the successful independent film Flirting with Disaster.
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).
1997: Miramax won Academy Award for The English Patient
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, co-founded by Harvey Weinstein, produced the successful independent film Shakespeare in Love.
1998: Success of Shakespeare in Love
In 1998, Shakespeare in Love 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. The film was eventually released after pressure from Michael Caine.
April 19, 2004: Appointed Honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire
On April 19, 2004, Weinstein was appointed an honorary Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for his contributions to the British film industry, although this was an honorary award since he wasn't a Commonwealth citizen.
2004: Divorce from Eve Chilton
In 2004, Weinstein divorced his first wife, Eve Chilton, after being married since 1987. They had three daughters together.
2004: Fahrenheit 9/11 Release
In 2004, the documentary "Fahrenheit 9/11" which Michael Moore claimed Harvey Weinstein owed him money for was released.
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.
September 30, 2005: Left Miramax Films to form The Weinstein Company
On September 30, 2005, Harvey Weinstein and his brother left Miramax Films to form their own production company, The Weinstein Company (TWC).
2005: Co-founded the Weinstein Company
In 2005, Harvey Weinstein and his brother Bob founded The Weinstein Company (TWC).
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.
2008: Supported Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign
In 2008, Weinstein supported Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.
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.
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.
2016: Academy Award Speeches Mentions
Between 1966 and 2016, Harvey Weinstein was thanked or praised in 34 Academy Award acceptance speeches, as many times as God, and second only to Steven Spielberg.
2016: Mother's death
In 2016, Harvey Weinstein's mother, Miriam Weinstein (née Postel), passed away.
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.
October 2017: Served on the Board of the Robin Hood Foundation until October 2017
Until October 2017, Weinstein served on the board of the Robin Hood Foundation, a New York City-based non-profit that targets poverty.
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.
2017: Co-chairman of TWC
From 2005 to 2017, Harvey Weinstein was the co-chairman of The Weinstein Company, alongside his brother Bob.
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.
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.
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 2024: Admitted to Bellevue Hospital
In July 2024, Weinstein was admitted to the prison ward of Bellevue Hospital with COVID-19 and double pneumonia, according to his lawyers.
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 9, 2024: Emergency Heart Surgery
On September 9, 2024, Weinstein underwent emergency heart surgery at Bellevue and was said to be in critical condition for a time afterward.
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.
December 2, 2024: Hospitalized in Manhattan
On December 2, 2024, it was reported that Weinstein was hospitalized in Manhattan due to blood test results that were described as "alarming".
April 15, 2025: Retrial began
On April 15, 2025, the retrial for Harvey Weinstein began.
June 11, 2025: Convicted in a mixed verdict
On June 11, 2025, Harvey Weinstein was convicted in a mixed verdict.
June 12, 2025: Mistrial in additional rape charge case
On June 12, 2025, an additional rape charge case against Harvey Weinstein was given a mistrial.
Mentioned in this timeline
California is a U S state on the Pacific Coast...
Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton is an American politician lawyer and...
Barack Obama the th U S President - was the...
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of...
Los Angeles L A is the most populous city in...
Rikers Island is a -acre prison complex situated on an...
Trending
50 minutes ago Affordable Housing's Profitability, Sustainability, and Scalability: Developer's Bet and Portland's Preparation
2 hours ago Bev Priestman Hired by Wellington Phoenix After Spying Ban Controversy
2 hours ago High-Speed Chase Ends in Santa Monica: Stolen Truck Driver Apprehended After Pursuit
2 hours ago Haleiwa Housing Project Sparks Controversy: Residents Petition Against Expansion in Hawaii
51 minutes ago Al Calderon Joins Zachary Quinto in NBC's 'Brilliant Minds' Season 2
2 hours ago NYC Subway Hit by Power Outage: Delays and Cancellations Plague Morning Commute
Popular
John Michael Ozzy Osbourne is a prominent English singer songwriter...
Jupiter is the fifth and largest planet from the Sun...
Candace Owens is an American political commentator and author known...
Hulk Hogan born Terry Gene Bollea is a retired American...
Charlie Kirk is a prominent American conservative activist author and...
Adam Schiff is an American politician and lawyer currently serving...