When you think of Harvey Weinstein, the name instantly conjures blockbuster hits, Oscar buzz, and a cascade of controversy. Yet there are dozens of things didn that most people never hear about—little‑known honors, behind‑the‑scenes power plays, and even family drama. Below we count down ten of the most eye‑opening facts.

Things Didn: A Quick Overview

10 He’s Been Honored By The French

The French National Order of the Legion of Honor was founded by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 and remains France’s highest civilian and military distinction. Past recipients read like a who’s‑who of cultural giants—Charlie Chaplin, Jules Verne, Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg. In March 2012, Weinstein was made a chevalier (knight) of the Legion for championing French and other foreign cinema in the United States.

Even the most glittering accolades can be rescinded, but French officials say they won’t strip a foreign honoree until a criminal conviction is secured. By contrast, Lance Armstrong lost his French honors after the Tour de France scandal stripped him of his medals.

9 He’s Also Been Honored By The British

April 2004 saw Queen Elizabeth II bestow an Honorary Commander of the British Empire (CBE) on Weinstein for boosting the profile of British cinema abroad. His influence helped bring titles like Shakespeare in Love and My Left Foot to global audiences.

When the sexual‑abuse allegations erupted, the British prime minister warned of “concern,” but the Forfeiture Committee that decides on honours operates independently of the government. Had Weinstein lost the CBE, he would join the likes of Zimbabwean dictator Robert Mugabe, who had his honorary knighthood revoked in 2008 for egregious human‑rights violations.

8 He Supports Roman Polanski

In February 2017 a widely‑cited expose singled out Roman Polanski as the top offender in Hollywood’s “pedophile problem.” Polanski, infamous for evading punishment for the 1977 assault of 13‑year‑old Samantha Gailey, found an unlikely ally in Weinstein.

After Polanski’s 2009 arrest in Switzerland, Weinstein spearheaded a petition to block his extradition to the United States, rallying filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Woody Allen, and David Lynch. In an open letter to The Independent, Weinstein praised the “incredible love and affection” for Polanski and dismissed the accusations as “so‑called crimes.” He also enlisted Cannes director Thierry Fremaux to push for a pardon from California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Schwarzenegger’s response was vague—he wouldn’t treat Polanski’s case any differently—while Weinstein concluded his letter by branding the saga a miscarriage of justice.

7 He Donates To Charity, But …

Weinstein’s political leanings are firmly Democratic; he’s backed Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, and a litany of liberal causes. His charitable portfolio is just as expansive, ranging from the AIDS research foundation amfAR to the LeBron James Family Foundation. In October 2017 he pledged $5 million toward a scholarship for female filmmakers at USC.

The 2015 amfAR gala, which Weinstein chaired, turned into a PR nightmare when donors discovered that auction items were tied to conditional donations. About $600,000 raised had to be funneled to the American Repertory Theater—a nonprofit that had recently staged a trial run of Finding Neverland, a Weinstein‑produced film. After board members resigned, Weinstein promised to pay $1 million to the charity, covering the $600,000 already repaid.

6 He’s Not Cutting For Fun

Film editing is a delicate art, and Weinstein seemed to wield the scissors with a ferocious grip. When Studio Ghibli’s Princess Mononoke was slated for a U.S. release, the Japanese team gifted Weinstein a samurai sword stamped with the simple command “No cuts.” Yet Hayao Miyazaki later found himself inundated with calls from Weinstein demanding edits before the movie could hit American screens. The result? U.S. audiences now receive Miyazaki’s work in both subtitled and dubbed versions, and Miyazaki himself declared, “I defeated him.”

The Weinsteins’ reputation for meddling didn’t stop there. Directors such as James Gray, Guillermo del Toro, and M. Night Shyamalan have alleged that their Oscar‑worthy projects were diluted by reshoots, delays, or heavy editing under the brothers’ watch.

5 He Won’t Stop Until You’re Dead

When Sydney Pollack and Anthony Minghella co‑produced the Miramax drama The Reader, tragedy struck: Minghella died in March 2008, followed by Pollack’s death in May 2008. The film’s release was delayed, and Weinstein seized the moment to insert himself into the editorial process, even contacting Minghella’s grieving widow.

Pollack, on his deathbed, halted Weinstein’s intrusion, but the producer persisted, prompting the families to intervene. Weinstein denied any misconduct and offered $1 million to charity if anyone could prove otherwise. Reporter Nikki Finke delivered the proof—a genuine email from director Scott Rudin confirming Weinstein’s tactics. True to his word, Weinstein donated the promised sum to the Robin Hood Foundation, stating, “There’s been enough back‑and‑forth on this subject… This is my final statement on this matter.”

4 He Doesn’t Have A Star On The Walk Of Fame

The Hollywood Walk of Fame boasts more than 2,600 stars, ranging from musicians to TV creators. Stars are awarded through a brief application process, often driven by fan petitions. Even fictional characters—Shrek earned a star in 2010.

Given the massive success of Miramax and The Weinstein Company—films nominated 341 times and winning 81 Oscars—one would expect Weinstein to have his own star. The omission suggests that his professional accolades have been eclipsed by the shadow of his alleged misconduct.

3 There Have Been Whispers For Years

In 2005, a video of Courtney Love warning aspiring actresses about Weinstein went viral, complete with a disclaimer about potential libel. The warning led to her being blacklisted by Creative Artists Agency, and she has since stayed silent on the matter.

Subtle digs have floated around Hollywood for decades. Gwyneth Paltrow hinted at Weinstein’s “coercion” on Letterman in 1998. In 2013, Seth MacFarlane, presenting the Supporting Actress Oscar, quipped, “Congratulations. You five ladies no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein.” He later tweeted on October 12 2017, “This came from a place of loathing and anger.” Allegations trace back to as early as 1980.

The Weinstein Company’s internal contracts required employees to stay silent about any personal reputations, which may explain the scarcity of formal accusations before the #MeToo wave.

2 His Brother Has Also Been Accused

Bob Weinstein, Harvey’s brother, has not escaped the spotlight. Executive producer Amanda Segel alleges that Bob repeatedly invited her out to dinner and made overt sexual advances, even joking that, as her boss, he could fire her if she refused.

Bob’s attorney has categorically denied the allegations and offered email correspondence as proof of innocence. Whether additional claimants will emerge remains to be seen.

1 The Lannisters Send Their Regards

Among the most publicized encounters, actress Lena Headey—best known as Cersei Lannister—told the world on Twitter that Weinstein once suggested a rendezvous that felt “like kissing my dad.” She rebuffed his advances, and when he later tried to escort her to his hotel room to discuss a script, she again said no.

According to Headey, Weinstein then grabbed the back of her arm, guided her toward her car, and warned her not to tell anyone what had happened. She left the scene in tears, a sobering reminder that even the most powerful producers can be confronted with very human resistance.