In rare move, Motion Picture Academy expels Weinstein

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Amid growing accusations implicating producer Harvey Weinstein in “sexually predatory behavior” toward actresses over the past decades, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has expelled him from the ace Hollywood body.

The Academy’s Board of Governors took the rare such decision to oust Weinstein in a meeting held on Saturday.

“The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Board of Governors met today to discuss the allegations against Harvey Weinstein, and has voted well in excess of the required two-thirds majority to immediately expel him from the Academy,” a statement released by the Academy said.

“We do so not simply to separate ourselves from someone who does not merit the respect of his colleagues but also to send a message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior and workplace harassment in our industry is over.

“What’s at issue here is a deeply troubling problem that has no place in our society. The Board continues to work to establish ethical standards of conduct that all Academy members will be expected to exemplify,” the statement added.

As reported by some leading American newspapers, top actresses Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow are among the stars who have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment early in their careers. He has also been accused of raping three women.

The Weinstein Company has been one of the most successful companies in Hollywood, producing 341 Academy Awards nominated movies with 81 of them winning the coveted honor.

In 1998, Weinstein won an Oscar for his production Shakespeare In Love.

Since a spate of sex scandals took Hollywood by storm, the British Academy of Film and Television Arts has suspended Weinstein, and the Producers Guild of America may also follow the suit.