Judi Dench Calls Harvey Weinstein's Alleged Sexual Misconduct 'Horrifying' and Asserts She Was 'Unaware'

Judi Dench is speaking out against Harvey Weinstein amid allegations of decades of sexual misconduct.

In a statement released Monday, Dame Judi Dench, 82, called the allegations against Weinstein “horrifying” and offered her “sympathy to those who have suffered.”

“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,” she said in a statement to Newsweek.

Dench has long credited Weinstein for her start in Hollywood. She stared in the 1997 movie Mrs. Brown, which was produced by Weinstein’s former studio, Miramax

She also won an Academy Award for her performance in Shakespeare in Love — another Miramax film. Their most recent collaborations include 2013’s Philomena and 2016’s period drama Tulip Fever.

Dench joins a chorus of women to speak out against Weinstein. On Monday, Meryl Streep also issued a statement, calling the producer’s behavior “inexcusable.”

“The behavior is inexcusable, but the abuse of power familiar,” said Streep. “Each brave voice that is raised, heard and credited by our watchdog media will ultimately change the game.”

RELATED: Harvey Weinstein Allegedly Masturbated in Front of a TV Reporter

 

On Sunday, Harvey Weinstein was removed from his powerhouse film studio in the wake of the publication of the allegations in a New York Times report, according to Variety.

“In light of new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days, the directors of The Weinstein Company — Robert Weinstein, Lance Maerov, Richard Koenigsberg and Tarak Ben Ammar — have determined, and have informed Harvey Weinstein, that his employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately,” the Weinstein Company said in a statement.

In the Times article, eight women — including actress Ashley Judd — spoke out against Weinstein, accusing him of sexual harassment and inappropriate behavior.

Weinstein responded to the allegations in the report, saying he was working with a therapist to address his issues head-on. “I appreciate the way I’ve behaved with colleagues in the past has caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for it,” he said. “Though I’m trying to do better, I know I have a long way to go.”