A Hollywood super producer who catapulted young actresses to stardom, Harvey Weinstein was rarely spotted at an awards do, premiere or party without an A-lister by his side.
But the relationship with stars such as Gwyneth Paltrow, Kate Winslet and Uma Thurman quickly soured as it emerged he had been creating a culture of fear, silence and predatory sexual harassment.
While Miss Paltrow was cast in the lead role in 1996’s Emma by Weinstein and later won an Oscar for his production Shakespeare in Love, behind the scenes it was a very different story.
Miss Paltrow, 47, told the New York Times he had sexually harassed her in a hotel room at the start of her career, prompting her then boyfriend Brad Pitt to confront him. ‘I was a kid, I was signed up, I was petrified,’ she said.
Speaking up about the abuse recently, the actress said: ‘We’re at a point in time when women need to send a clear message that this is over. This way of treating women ends now.’
1999: Hollywood super producer Harvey Weinstein with Gwyneth Paltrow at the Miramax post-Oscars party in Los Angeles
2006: Renee Zellweger and Harvey Weinstein are pictured at a post-Bafta party at the Hospital Club in London
2016: Uma Thurman is pictured with Harvey Weinstein at a New York gala in Cipriani Wall Street on February 10, 2016
2005: Dame Judi Dench and Harvey Weinstein attend a special screening of ‘Mrs. Henderson Presents’ at MGM screening room in New York City
2014: Keira Knightley and Harvey Weinstein are pictured at the 18th Annual Hollywood Film Awards at The Palladium on November 14, 2014 in Hollywood, California
2007: Harvey Weinstein and Sienna Miller are pictured together at the pre-Bafta party hosted by Weinstein in London
2004: Kate Beckinsale at a film after-party in London
2003: Nicole Kidman and Harvey Weinstein during the Ninth Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards – Backstage and Audience at The Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, California, United States
Miss Winslet, 44, won an Oscar for her role in Weinstein’s 2009 film The Reader but failed to thank him during her acceptance speech.
She said: ‘I remember being told, ‘Make sure you thank Harvey if you win.’ And I remember turning around and saying, ‘No I won’t. No I won’t’.’
Catherine Zeta-Jones, 50, said she was ‘shocked and disgusted’ when the allegations emerged, while Jennifer Lawrence, 29, was forced to deny sleeping with Weinstein after it was alleged that he had bragged about it in attempt to lure others into bed. ‘My heart breaks for all the women who were victimised by Harvey Weinstein,’ she said.
Judi Dench, 85, who has worked with Weinstein a number of times and has credited him with reviving her career, said she was ‘horrified’ at the accusations, although she added she had been ‘completely unaware’ of the offences.
Miss Thurman, 49, who worked with Weinstein on several Quentin Tarantino films, revealed she too had been a victim. ‘He pushed me down,’ she said. ‘He tried to shove himself on me. He tried to expose himself. He did all kinds of unpleasant things.’
1991: Catherine Zeta-Jones with producer Harvey Weinstein at a party at the Hyde Park Hotel, for the UK release of ‘Hot Shots’
1999: Harvey Weinstein and Kate Winslet at the Holy Smoke premiere at the 37th New York Film Festival in the US
2008: Scarlett Johansson and producer Harvey Weinstein arrive on the red carpet at the Los Angeles Premiere of ‘Vicky Cristina Barcelona’ at the Mann Village Theatre in Westwood, California
2013: Jennifer Lawrence and Weinstein attend the Vanity Fair, Barneys New York and The Weinstein Company celebration of ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ in support of The Glenholme School in Los Angeles, California
2011: Weinstein and actress Amanda Seyfried attend the Audi celebrates ‘The King’s Speech’ awards season party held at Chateau Marmont in Los Angeles, California
2013: Julia Roberts is pictured with Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein at a party at Soho House in Toronto, Canada
2011: Harvey Weinstein and actress Emma Watson attending the pre-BAFTA dinner celebrating best film nominee The King’s Speech hosted by The Weinstein Company at Almada Bar and Club in London