Anthony LaPaglia: Everyone knew about Harvey Weinstein

Australian actor Anthony LaPaglia has revealed he’s been aware of the sexual harassment allegations against Harvey Weinstein for ’25-years.’

Speaking to Australian breakfast TV show Today on Wednesday, he insisted it would have been ‘impossible’ to work in Hollywood for a number of years and not have heard them.

‘People were afraid, because if you spoke up, you were never working for the Weinstein company ever [and] were likely to find trouble elsewhere,’ he said.

The revelation came when the Today hosts pressed the Empire Records star on the issue.

‘What I can tell you is that it is impossible to have worked in this business more than five years and not to have known that [sexual harassment] story,’ he explained.

‘Everybody who says it is an elite kind of Hollywood cover-up is being disingenuous.’

‘Impossible’: The 58-year-old insisted it would have been ‘impossible’ to work in Hollywood for a number of years and not have heard the stories

Anthony went further, claiming: ‘I knew the stories for 25 years – everybody around me knew the same stories.’

Effectively echoing allegations made by Rose McGowan, the actor implied members of the Hollywood elite haven’t been forthcoming about the knowledge they have.

‘Disingenuous’: ‘Everybody who says it is an elite kind of Hollywood cover-up is being disingenuous,’ he insisted, implying the knowledge was widespread

‘I’m saying it is much more widespread than, “This is some great hidden secret,”‘ he continued. 

Anthony then expressed empathy for victims saying: ‘this may be hard to understand for people outside of showbiz, that these poor women that were assaulted in this way.’

‘You  get how it happens, because they’re chasing a dream. They’re genuinely chasing a dream… they’re not expecting to be sexually harassed.’

Tragic: Anthony then expressed empathy for victims: ‘this may be hard to understand for people outside of showbiz, that these poor women that were assaulted in this way’

‘They’re chasing a dream’: ‘You get how it happens, because [alleged victims] are chasing a dream… they’re not expecting to be sexually harassed’

He continued: ‘Suddenly they’ve got this man who has enormous power to make or break a movie, to make or break an actor, actress – anyone.’ 

Confirming popular beliefs, he added: ‘If you look back over the last decade, there have been in-house references made on popular shows about this.’

‘It is not like it was a big secret – people did try to bring it to people’s attention. I think they settled out of court at least eight or nine times.’

Anthony’s claims follow an explosive article by the New York Times, who were the first to report that dozens of women had accused Weinstein of sexual assault.

 Since the article was published, several actresses, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Rose McGowan, have made sexual assault allegations against Weinstein.

Gwyneth claimed this month that she was sexually assaulted by Weinstein and her boyfriend at the time, Brad Pitt, had to step in and make sure it didn’t happen again.  

‘Enormous power’: He continued: ‘Suddenly they’ve got this man [in charge] who has enormous power to make or break a movie, to make or break an actor, actress – anyone’