In the aftermath of a report published by the New York Times detailing decades of sexual harassment and abuse allegations against multiple women committed by film producer and executive Harvey Weinstein, Hollywood celebrities are speaking out against him.

Meryl Streep yesterday referred to the behaviour of Weinstein as “disgraceful,” “inexcusable,” and an “abuse of power”, and now a number of other actors have joined her in calling out the Hollywood mogul.

Judi Dench, who has credited much of her success to Weinstein and once revealed she had a fake tattoo of his initials applied to her buttocks, said in a statement to Newsweek she was “horrified” and also denied any knowledge of the accusations.

In a statement to EW, she said: “Whilst there is no doubt that Harvey Weinstein has helped and championed my film career for the past 20 years, I was completely unaware of these offences which are, of course, horrifying, and I offer my sympathy to those who have suffered and wholehearted support to those who have spoken out.”

Meanwhile, in a statement to the New York Times, Glenn Close acknowledged that “for many years” she had been aware of rumors of inappropriate behavior by Weinstein.

“Harvey has always been decent to me, but now that the rumors are being substantiated, I feel angry and darkly sad,” she wrote.

George Clooney, who was given his first big-screen acting break by Harvey Weinstein, has also spoken out against the Hollywood mogul following the allegations.

“It’s indefensible. That’s the only word you can start with,” he told The Daily Beast. “Harvey’s admitted to it, and it’s indefensible. I’ve known Harvey for 20 years. He gave me my first big break as an actor in films on From Dusk Till Dawn, he gave me my first big break as a director with Confessions of a Dangerous Mind. We’ve had dinners, we’ve been on location together, we’ve had arguments. But I can tell you that I’ve never seen any of this behavior—ever.”

In an exclusive statement to Variety, Kate Winslet — who worked with Weinstein on 2009’s The Reader, which won her an Oscar — called his actions “reprehensible” and “disgusting.”

“The fact that these women are starting to speak out about the gross misconduct of one of our most important and well-regarded film producers is incredibly brave and has been deeply shocking to hear,” Winslet said in her statement. “The way Harvey Weinstein has treated these vulnerable, talented young women is NOT the way women should ever EVER deem to be acceptable or commonplace in ANY workplace.”

She continued, “I have no doubt that for these women this time has been, and continues to be extremely traumatic. I fully embrace and salute their profound courage, and I unequivocally support this level of very necessary exposure of someone who has behaved in reprehensible and disgusting ways. His behavior is without question disgraceful and appalling and very, very wrong.”

Jennifer Lawrence also released a statement to Variety reading: “I was deeply disturbed to hear the news about Harvey Weinstein’s behavior. I worked with Harvey five years ago and I did not experience any form of harassment personally, nor did I know about any of these allegations. This kind of abuse is inexcusable and absolutely upsetting.

“My heart goes out to all of the women affected by these gross actions. And I want to thank them for their bravery to come forward.”

Jessica Chastain among others took to Twitter to express her condemnation:


"I'm sick of the media demanding only women speak up. What about the men? Perhaps many are afraid to look at their own behavior," Chastain also wrote on Twitter.

It was announced yesterday that Harvey has been fired from the Weinstein Company.