Harvey
Weinstein
Harvey Weinstein
The recent scandal involving Miramax CEO and film producer, Harvey Weinstein, has opened many eyes to the existence of sexual harassment and misconduct in Hollywood.
The studio executive and producer has been accused by over 50 women with claims of sexual assault and harassment over the span of his 40-year career. Gwyneth Paltrow, Rose McGowan, Lupita Nyong’o and Angelina Jolie are among the actresses who claim that Weinstein assaulted them. He has since finished a week-long rehab program for his “sex addiction.”
The #MeToo social media campaign invented back in 2006 and reignited by the Weinstein scandal, has allowed people to speak of their personal experiences with sexual harassment and assault, bringing awareness to the pervasiveness of gender violence in our society. According to an Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) report, “one 2003 study found that 75 percent of employees who spoke out against workplace mistreatment faced some form of retaliation.” This percentage speaks not only to the experiences of actors who have come forward, but to the workforce as a whole. Here is a non-exhaustive list of famous men in Hollywood and media who have been accused of sexual assault and harassment, as reported by the New York Times:
Woody
Allen
Woody Allen
In a 2014 open letter, Allen’s stepdaughter Dylan Farrow accused him of sexually molesting her as a child, but the claims went relatively ignored in Hollywood. Hiws stepson, Ronan Farrow, is a vocal critic of Allen and helped break the Harvey Weinstein story in the New Yorker. Allen is also married to his adoptive daughter, Soon-Yi Previn. Allen won a Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award in 2014.
Terry
Richardson
Terry Richardson
The photographer has been publicly accused of sexual misconduct many times since 2001. According to a 2017 Guardian article, he has been now been blacklisted by Conde Nast and their publications, as well as several fashion houses.
James
Toback
James Toback
The screenwriter and director has been accused by 238 women for sexual misconduct with reports in the public since the 1980s. The women described the moments as getting “Toback-ed.” During his career, Toback has shown films, such as ”The Private Life of a Modern Woman,” at the Venice and Cannes film festivals.
Casey
Aflack
Casey Aflack
In 2010, two women who had worked with Affleck in the past filed sexual harassment claims. The claims came to light at the time of his Oscar nomination for “Manchester by the Sea.” The claims were settled out of court and he has since won an Oscar.
Bill
Cosby
Bill Cosby
Over 60 victims have come forward with claims of sexual assault dating as far back as the 1960’s. Though Cosby has admitted to casual sex with several women involving Quaaludes, a sedative-hypnotic drug, he has not been indicted on any of these charges.
Ben
Aflack
Ben Aflack
Affleck groped actress Hilarie Burton on live television in 2003. When the incident was brought to light in 2017, Affleck responded via Twitter, “I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize.” Additionally, he (along with actor Matt Damon) allegedly knew about Harvey Weinstein and Casey Affleck’s indiscretions toward women.
R.
Kelly
R. Kelly
R. Kelly has been facing accusations of child molestation and sexual violence for decades. In 1994, he illegally married 15-year-old singer Aaliyah (annulled in 1995). In 2002, after being indicted on several counts involving child pornography, the singer (born Robert Kelly) told the New York Times to tell his fans that “Rob’s O.K. and through the grace of god, Rob’s going to be O.K.” And he was. R. Kelly’s Remix to Ignition reached number two on Billboard Hot 100.
Roman
Polanski
Roman Polanski
Polanski was charged with the statutory rape of a thirteen-year-old in 1977. He fled to France and has not returned to the U.S. After a 2009 arrest in Switzerland, the film community, including Harvey Weinstein and Woody Allen, signed a petition calling for his release.
Arnold
Schwartzenager
Arnold Schwartzenager
Before his gubernatorial race in California, several women came forward accusing the actor of sexual misconduct, dubbing the scandal “Gropegate.” Schwarzenegger won the governor’s office and was later found to have had an affair and child with a family housekeeper.
*All Photos courtesy of Wikimedia Commons