Larger than life movie mogul Harvey Weinstein seems to be living a life that is unravelling at breakneck speed as more ugly details of his alleged sexual rampage across the years.
Weinstein was sacked from Miramax, the Hollywood firm he founded with his brother, at the weekend after several leading actresses and models came forward with horrific stories of sexual abuse and harassment naming Harvey Weinstein as the perpetrator.
Now, he has his membership of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts suspended and similar action triggered by the US Oscar committee.
“Whilst Bafta has previously been a beneficiary of Mr Weinstein’s support for its charitable work, it considers the reported alleged behaviour completely unacceptable and incompatible with Bafta’s values,” said a Bafta spokesman.
First moves to strip Weinstein of awards
“This has led to Mr Weinstein’s suspension, and it will be followed by a formal process as laid out in Bafta’s constitution.
“We hope this announcement sends a clear message that such behaviour has absolutely no place in our industry.”
A spokesman for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which sponsors the Oscars, said the allegations against Weinstein are disgusting and abhorrent.
At least 21 of Weinstein’s movies have won Oscars.
In the UK, politicians are calling for the government to strip Weinstein of his honorary CBE.
Who is making the allegations against Weinstein?
Weinstein’s whereabouts are unknown, although he reportedly checked into rehab, he fled a disturbance at his daughter’s home in Los Angeles in the early hours of Thursday morning (October 12) as police were called to the scene.
The names accusing Weinstein range from the humble starting on their movie careers to a roll-call of Hollywood’s most rich and famous leading ladies, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd.
The allegations stretch back decades and cover Weinstein unwanted touching and kissing to rape.
The question is if his actions were an open secret in the movie world, why did no one speak out in public or to the authorities before now – or were they too scared of harming their careers?
For a man who accomplished so much, Harvey Weinstein’s legacy will not lie with his movies but his abusive treatment of women.