Sex scandals that rocked Hollywood

Under all the glitz and glamour that Hollywood exudes, lies an ugly underbelly of sexual harassment, which is only referred to in hushed whispers in the industry circles. The latest scandal that has hit headlines around the world involves studio head Harvey Weinstein, often referred to as one of the most powerful men in Hollywood. As more women come out to speak against the disgraced studio head and more skeletons tumble out of the closet, the topmost questions that most people are asking include — how did Weinstein get away with his shady shenanigans for three decades? And more importantly, why have top stars declined to say anything till the scandal came out in the open? While there are new developments daily in the case — the latest being that Weinstein’s wife Georgina Chapman is leaving the movie mogul after a string of women have openly claimed that he sexually harassed or assaulted them — there have been a number of other sexual harassment claims in tinseltown that have made headlines...
Casey Affleck
Casey Affleck’s Oscar win at this year’s Academy Awards for his role in Manchester By The Sea was marred by claims of sexual harassment.Just before the awards, allegations from seven years ago resurfaced, where two unnamed women who worked on his film I’m Still Here, filed sexual harassment lawsuits against Affleck in 2010. One woman had accused him of crawling into her bed without consent while she was sleeping, while the other woman said he forced her to stay in his hotel room and violently grabbed her arm when she tried to leave. Although the actor denies the claims, both cases were settled out of court for an undisclosed amount in 2010.
Bill Cosby
Once known as ‘America’s Dad’, Bill Cosby was accused of drugging and molesting a former employee at his home in 2004. While he claims the incident was consensual, dozens of women have approached the police with similar tales of violation. The trial continues and Cosby could get 10 years in prison if proven guilty.
Woody Allen
Filmmaker, writer, actor and musician, Woody Allen has battled several controversies in a career spanning six decades. Back in the 80s, when Allen was involved with Mia Farrow, the couple adopted two children, Dylan and Ronan. The filmmaker was accused by Farrow of molesting Dylan when she was seven — an allegation that sent shockwaves around the world. While the sexual assault claim in 1992 prompted an investigation that threw up no credible evidence, Dylan has stood by her claims and is supported by Ronan. Allen has denied these claims till date and is estranged from both Dylan and Ronan.
Martin Lawrence
As the star of his hit show Martin, Martin Lawrence was hit with claims of sexual harassment way back in 1997 when Tisha Campbell, who played his onscreen wife, walked out of the show after claiming Lawrence sexually harassed her by groping her and simulating intercourse in front of cast and crew members. While she sued Lawrence as well as the show’s producers, the former denied all charges. The show was eventually taken off air.
Roman Polanski
In March 1977, at the age of 43, Polish film director Roman Polanski was accused of raping a 13-year-old girl named Samantha Gailey in Jack Nicholson’s house in Los Angeles. The filmmaker made a plea bargain and admitted to having consensual sexual intercourse with Gailey, who claimed that Polanski fed her champagne, drugs and forced himself on her. Although Polanski admitted to having sex, he soon fled to France where he held dual citizenship. Since extradition of French people to America is difficult, Polanski was never arrested. In fact, he even went on to win Oscars after the the incident. In 2010, Polanski was hit with fresh allegations when British actor Charlotte Lewis said he forced himself on her just after her 16th birthday. This year a woman called Robin publicly claimed that Polanski sexually victimised her in 1973, when she was 16 while former German actress Renate Langer made similar accusations as well.
Bill O’Reilly
As host to one of the most popular news and talks shows in the world for 21 years — The O’Reilly Factor — Bill O’Reilly was fired earlier this year after a newspaper carried a report, which claimed that five women had received payments, totalling about $13 million, over the past 15 years in exchange for agreeing not to pursue legal action or speak about accusations related to sexual harassment. While O’Reilly denied the allegations at that time, he was eventually fired by the news company.
Hollywood’s first major sex scandal
Comedian Roscoe ‘Fatty’ Arbuckle allegedly raped actress Virginia Rappe at a party in 1921, which resulted in Rappe suffering a ruptured bladder. While Rappe accused Arbuckle of raping her and died days later, Arbuckle was charged with murder, which was downgraded to manslaughter. He was acquitted after three trials.
Women who spoke out...