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If you've seen Pulp Fiction, Silver Linings Playbook or the Spy Kids films, you already know more about Harvey Weinstein than you might think.
He's one of the Hollywood powerhouses behind those films and the man who has just been fired from a company he co-founded following explosive allegations of sexual harassment spanning decades.
Let's take a closer look at the case.
Who is Harvey Weinstein?
Weinstein, 65, is an Oscar-winning executive producer who began making films with his brother Bob back in the 1970s.
They formed the independent film studio Miramax — named after their parents Miriam and Max — in 1979, and after selling it to Disney in 1993, formed The Weinstein Company in 2005.
Some of the blockbusters that Weinstein has been associated with in recent years include:
- Lion (2016)
- The Scary Movie series (2000-2013)
- Django Unchained (2012)
- Rambo (2008)
- Sin City (2005)
- Cold Mountain (2003)
- Chicago (2002)
According to the Hollywood Reporter, his success has seen him thanked at the Oscars more times than God.
What are the allegations against him?
The New York Times published an expose last week chronicling multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Weinstein.
The allegations came from actress Ashley Judd and former employees at both The Weinstein Co and Miramax, and span over the course of several decades.
Here's an excerpt from the report, which claims Weinstein once asked Judd to watch him shower.
"Two decades ago, the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein invited Ashley Judd to the Peninsula Beverly Hills hotel for what the young actress expected to be a business breakfast meeting."
"Instead, he had her sent up to his room, where he appeared in a bathrobe and asked if he could give her a massage or she could watch him shower, she recalled in an interview."
The expose also reported that Weinstein had settled sexual harassment lawsuits with at least eight women. They include, according to the report, two former assistants, an actress, and an Italian model.
Since the report, another woman has lodged a claim of misconduct against Weinstein, saying he cornered her in the hallway of a restaurant in Manhattan in 2007, and masturbated in front of her.
What has Weinstein said of the allegations?
Weinstein and his lawyers have criticised the New York Times' report in statements and interviews, though neither have referenced anything specific.
In one statement to the Times he said:
"I appreciate the way I've behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologise for it. Though I'm trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go."
But his then-lawyer Lisa Bloom was quoted in the report saying he denied many of the accusations "as patently false".
Two days later Ms Bloom, who has previously represented victims of sexual harassment and assault, resigned.
Lanny Davis, another lawyer who was working with Weinstein, is also no longer advising the producer.
The Weinstein Company has seen an exodus from its nine-member board since the report, and today Weinstein was fired from the company.
He had been taking indefinite leave, while the company conducted an investigation into the claims.
What's been the fallout?
The Times' expose has had an enormous impact both in the US film industry and the political sphere.
A number of actresses have condemned Weinstein's alleged actions on social media, and urged others to speak out.
"This abuse of power must be called out, however powerful the abuser, and we must publicly stand with those brave enough to come forward," actress America Ferrera wrote on Twitter.
In politics, Democrats are now working quickly to rid their hands of "dirty money" donated to the party by Weinstein in the past.
The Weinstein family has reportedly given more than $1.8 million to Democratic politicians, candidates and their allies since 1992.
Senate minority leader Chuck Schumer and Massachusetts senator Elizabeth Warren have already given thousands of dollars in Weinstein donations to charity.
Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton and the Obamas have also come under fire for their connection to the producer.
Mr Weinstein visited the White House during the Obama presidency and was described by then-first lady Michelle Obama as a "wonderful human being, a good friend and just a powerhouse".
When asked about the allegations, US President Donald Trump said he was not surprised and refused to acknowledge any parallels between Weinstein's alleged conduct and his comments in the 2005 Access Hollywood tape, in which he bragged about women letting him kiss them and grab their genitals because he was famous.
"That's locker room," he said.
Topics: arts-and-entertainment, film-movies, law-crime-and-justice, crime, sexual-offences, united-states
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