Accepting the Golden Globe best actress award in 2012 for ``The Iron Lady,'' Meryl Streep took a moment to thank "God, and Harvey Weinstein.''
For decades, Weinstein has held a lofty position in Hollywood as one of the industry's most powerful figures.
But Weinstein's name rang out in a different way yesterday.
In a bombshell expose, The New York Times reported that Weinstein had reached at least eight legal settlements with women over alleged harassment.
With allegations levied by actresses including Ashley Judd and former employees at both the Weinstein Co. and Weinstein's former company, Miramax, the report detailed decades of abuse.
The 65-year-old Weinstein, in a lengthy written statement, said he would take a leave of absence from his company.
Weinstein who grew up in New York City went on to graduate from the University of Buffalo and then with his brother Bob and a man named Corky Burger formed Harvey and Corky Productions in Buffalo which produced rock concerts throughout much of the 1970's.