History of Harvey Weinstein in Timeline

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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.

March 19, 1952: Harvey Weinstein Born

On March 19, 1952, Harvey Weinstein was born in Queens, New York City.

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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.

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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.

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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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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.

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1989: Miramax produced Sex, Lies, and Videotape

In 1989, Miramax, co-founded by Harvey Weinstein, produced the successful independent film Sex, Lies, and Videotape.

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1992: Miramax produced The Crying Game

In 1992, Miramax, co-founded by Harvey Weinstein, produced the successful independent film The Crying Game.

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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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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.

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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.

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1995: Pulp Fiction nominated for Academy Award

In 1995, Pulp Fiction was nominated for an Academy Award but lost to Forrest Gump.

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1996: Miramax produced Flirting with Disaster

In 1996, Miramax, co-founded by Harvey Weinstein, produced the successful independent film Flirting with Disaster.

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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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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.

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1998: Miramax produced Shakespeare in Love

In 1998, Miramax, co-founded by Harvey Weinstein, produced the successful independent film Shakespeare in Love.

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1998: Success of Shakespeare in Love

In 1998, Shakespeare in Love received several awards, including numerous Academy Awards.

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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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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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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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.

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.

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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 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.