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Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 16 additional years in prison for rape and criminal sexual assault. Here's how the disgraced producer built the Hollywood empire that ended up firing him.
Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to 16 additional years in prison for rape and criminal sexual assault. Here's how the disgraced producer built the Hollywood empire that ended up firing him.
Abby Jackson,Taylor Nicole Rogers,Lloyd LeeFeb 24, 2023, 05:49 IST
<p class="ingestion featured-caption">Film producer Harvey Weinstein sits alongside lawyers Donna Rotunno and Arthur Aidala in Criminal Court on the first day of his sexual assault trial in the Manhattan borough of New York City, New York, U.S.REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg</p><ul class="summary-list"><li>Harvey Weinstein was sentenced on Thursday to <a href="https://www.insider.com/harvey-weinstein-sentenced-16-years-prison-term-la-rape-conviction-2023-2">16 years in prison</a> for raping a woman in LA County.</li><li>He was previously given a <a href="https://www.insider.com/harvey-weinstein-sentenced-23-years-prison-rape-sexual-assault-conviction-2020-3?_gl=1*1h25ojs*_ga*MjA2OTA0NjY1Ni4xNjc3MDk0Mjcz*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY3NzE4NTM3Ny4yLjEuMTY3NzE4NzMyNS4wLjAuMA..">23-year prison sentence</a> in 2020 for <a href="https://www.insider.com/harvey-weinstein-found-guilty-sexual-assault-rape-in-trial-verdict-2020-2?_gl=1*oo9txr*_ga*MjA2OTA0NjY1Ni4xNjc3MDk0Mjcz*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY3NzE4NTM3Ny4yLjEuMTY3NzE4NzMyNS4wLjAuMA..">rape and sexual assault</a>.</li></ul><p>Harvey Weinstein was sentenced to an <a href="https://www.insider.com/harvey-weinstein-sentenced-16-years-prison-term-la-rape-conviction-2023-2">additional 16 years in prison on Thursday</a> in a Los Angeles courtroom for rape and sexual assault charges.</p><p>The new sentence will be tacked onto a <a href="https://www.insider.com/harvey-weinstein-sentenced-23-years-prison-rape-sexual-assault-conviction-2020-3?_gl=1*1h25ojs*_ga*MjA2OTA0NjY1Ni4xNjc3MDk0Mjcz*_ga_E21CV80ZCZ*MTY3NzE4NTM3Ny4yLjEuMTY3NzE4NzMyNS4wLjAuMA..">23-year prison term</a> that Weinstein received in March 2020 and has been serving in New York.</p><p>A Los Angeles County judge determined that Weinstein cannot serve his two terms concurrently, which means the disgraced Hollywood mogul could be behind bars for the rest of his life.</p><p>The once-heralded producer behind both Miramax Films and The Weinstein Company built an empire from scratch out of Buffalo, New York. He became a <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/harvey-weinstein-democratic-politics-sexual-harassment-scandal-2017-10" rel>major fundraiser for the Democratic Party</a>, positioning himself as a liberal lion and champion of feminism.</p><p>These ideals are in stark contrast to <a href="https://www.insider.com/harvey-weinstein-victims-rape-sexual-assault-harassment-misconduct-accusers-2023-2" target="_blank" rel="noopener">allegations of sexual harassment and rape from more than 80 women</a> that span decades, leading to his ouster from the companies he founded and his eventual arrest,<a href="https://www.insider.com/harvey-weinstein-los-angeles-charges-rape-sex-crime-2020-1?utm_content=bufferd1b8b&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer-bi" rel> Insider</a> reported. Prosecutors in both New York and California alleged that Weinstein used his position atop one of Hollywood's most powerful film studios to sexually harass and rape women for years.</p><p>Here's a look at the rise and fall of one of the richest and most powerful people in Hollywood.</p>
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Harvey Weinstein was born in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, New York in 1952 to Miriam and Max Weinstein.
Andreas Rentz/Getty
Soon after moving to Buffalo, Weinstein teamed up with Corky Burger to start a concert promotion business.
Harvey and Bob Weinstein.Reuters
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In 1979, Weinstein and his brother created the small independent film-distribution company Miramax, a portmanteau of their parents' names.
From left: Anthony Hopkins, Bob Weinstein, Harvey Weinstein, and Hugh Grant.Albert Ortega / Stringer
Miramax began growing its successful business in the 1980s.
Harvey Weinstein and Catherine Zeta-Jones in 1991.Dave Bennett/Getty Images
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In 1989, with the release of Steven Soderbergh's "Sex, Lies, and Videotape," Miramax became the most successful independent studio in America.
Soderbergh and Jane Fonda at the 1989 Cannes film festival.(AP Photo/Gilbert Tourte)
In 1993, Disney bought Miramax for about $60 million. The Weinsteins continued to run the company and cemented numerous successful launches.
From left: John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Quentin Tarantino, Lawrence Bender, Zanne Devine, and Harvey Weinstein at the 2014 Cannes film festival.Joel Ryan/Invision for Miramax/AP Images
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Several movies that came out of Miramax were met with substantial critical acclaim, including "Clerks," "The English Patient," "Good Will Hunting," and "Shakespeare in Love."
Weinstein (far R) at a podium next to (from right to left) actress Julianna Margulis, actor Matt Damon, and presidential candidate and Vice President Al Gore in July 1999 ahead of the 2000 election.Stuart Ramson/AP
Weinstein became the public face of Miramax.
Harvey Weinstein and Jennifer Lawrence.Kevork Djansezian/Getty
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Harvey and Bob Weinstein began choosing and marketing their films separately — Harvey under the Miramax banner and Bob under Dimension Films.
From left: David Parfitt, Donna Gigliotti, Harvey Weinstein, Gwyneth Paltrow, Edward Zwick, and Marc Norman with their best-picture Oscars for "Shakespeare In Love" in 1999.AP Photo/Dave Caulkin
In 2005, the brothers announced they would leave Miramax to form a production company called The Weinstein Company.
President Bill Clinton and Harvey Weinstein in October 2000.Nick Elgar/ImageDirect/Getty Images
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While at Miramax and The Weinstein Company, the Weinsteins received 341 Oscar nominations and won 81 Academy Awards, according to the company's site.
Harvey Weinstein and fashion designer Georgina Chapman.Getty Images
However, financial problems have followed the company since 2009.
Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Smith.Kevin Winter/Getty Images
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While Weinstein's work has accumulated critical acclaim, he has been accused of sexually harassing women and promising career advancements in return for sexual favors, The New York Times' Jodi Kantor and Megan Twohey reported in 2017.
Ashley Judd.Mireya Acierto/Getty
Amid intense public scrutiny, The Weinstein Company's board fired Harvey Weinstein days later.
Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images
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Though more than 80 women publicly accused Weinstein of sexual misconduct, he was convicted of just two counts: third-degree rape and first-degree criminal sexual act.
Film producer Harvey Weinstein departs Criminal Court on first day of sexual assault trial in New YorkReuters
Weinstein gets an additional 16 years in prison in Los Angeles County.
Harvey Weinstein listens in court during a pre-trial hearing for his Los Angeles sexual misconduct trial.ETIENNE LAURENT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images