Truth finally topples Weinstein

By Jake Coyle

AP Film Writer

NEW YORK

The allegations against Harvey Weinstein spanned three decades. His downfall came in three days.

That was all it took to topple one of Hollywood’s most high-profile and sharp-elbowed moguls — a combative power player who, like few ever have, regularly dominated the Academy Awards.

The all-powerful Weinstein who was ousted Sunday night from the company he co-founded and that bears his name. After a devastating New York Times expose that detailed years of sexual harassment allegations against Weinstein, the Weinstein Co. co-chairman was unceremoniously fired by his brother, Bob, and three other directors on the film company’s board.

For a domineering studio head long known for intervening in the edit room, this is likely the final cut. His career in Hollywood, many in the industry believe, is finished.

Of course, it took much longer than three days for Weinstein’s fall. The reporting took months, and followed years of previous efforts by other journalists to nail down details of the behavior that was roundly considered “an open secret” in Hollywood. And it took years for the alleged victims, including actress Ashley Judd, to work up the courage to go on the record.

Actress Lena Dunham tweeted Sunday night, “Easy to think Weinstein company took swift action but this has actually been the slowest action because they always always knew.”

Meryl Streep, who called Weinstein “God” when accepting a Golden Globe Award in 2012, said on Monday Weinstein’s alleged conduct was not universally known in Hollywood.

“The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported,” Streep said in a statement. “The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes.”

Streep said she had no idea about allegations Weinstein paid settlements to accusers, met with women in his hotel room or engaged in “other inappropriate, coercive acts.” She called on “the watchdog media” to pursue other stories of harassment in Hollywood and beyond.