Harvey Weinstein says he's taking a leave of absence after sexual harassment allegations surface
Weinstein released a statement to the Times apologizing for the way he had "behaved with colleagues in the past," and said he's aware that his actions have "caused a lot of pain."
According to the Times, the producer is "working with therapists and planning to take a leave of absence to 'deal with this issue head on.'"
The producer said in his statement that he knows he has a "long way to go."
In the Times piece, actress Ashley Judd said that, 20 years ago, Weinstein asked if she would watch him shower, at what she thought was supposed to be a work-related breakfast meeting in his hotel room. The Times investigation also found undisclosed allegations against Weinstein spanning almost thirty years, highlighting "a common narrative."
Weinstein and his brother Bob Weinstein cofounded Miramax Films in 1979, before they left to create The Weinstein Company in 2005. Together, the Weinstein brothers have produced a mass of Oscar-winning films. During their time at both Miramax and The Weinstein Company, their films have earned 341 Oscar nominations, and have won 81 Academy Awards. Some of the Weinsteins' notable Oscar winners include "Sex, Lies and Videotape," "Shakespeare in Love," "Pulp Fiction," and "Good Will Hunting."
Each brother's share of The Weinstein Company was estimated to be around $130 million each, according to a Forbes report from 2015.
There's no word from Weinstein on how long he plans on taking a leave of absence at this time.