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Meryl Streep, other stars slam Harvey Weinstein: 'The behavior is inexcusable'

By Wade Sheridan
Meryl Streep arrives for the the SAG Awards on January 29. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI
1 of 4 | Meryl Streep arrives for the the SAG Awards on January 29. File Photo by Jim Ruymen/UPI | License Photo

Oct. 9 (UPI) -- Meryl Streep, Julianne Moore, Lena Dunham and other Hollywood actresses decried movie producer Harvey Weinstein over reports that he sexually harassed several women.

Weinstein was fired Sunday from the film production company he founded, The Weinstein Co.

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Several women, including actresses Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan, were among those named in a New York Times report on Weinstein's behavior.

"The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported. The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes," Streep said in a statement Monday.

"One thing can be clarified. Not everybody knew. Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally. I didn't know about these other offenses: I did not know about his financial settlements with actresses and colleagues; I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts," she said.

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

Streep worked with Weinstein on films including August: Osage County and The Iron Lady, which earned Streep a Golden Globe for Best Actress in 2012. During her acceptance speech, Streep referred to Weinstein as "god" and "the punisher."

On Twitter, Moore applauded Judd and McGowan for coming forward with their stories. "Coming forward about sexual abuse and coercion is scary and women have nothing to be gained personally by doing so," she tweeted.

"But through their bravery we move forward as a culture, and I thank them. Stand with @AshleyJudd @rosemcgowan and others," Moore added.

Dunham criticized The Weinstein Co., writing, "Easy to think Weinstein Co. took swift action but this has actually been the slowest action because they always always knew."

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Other stars who shared their thoughts on social media included Michael Keaton, Heather Graham and longtime Weinstein collaborator director Kevin Smith.

"H Weinstein -yikes! Disgusting and creepy. So is 'leader of the free world' btw," Keaton tweeted.

"Women speak out about sexual harassment + Harvey Weinstein gets fired. This is the best + most inspiring news story I have seen in a while," Graham posted.

"He financed the first 14 years of my career - and now I know while I was profiting, others were in terrible pain. It makes me feel ashamed," Smith said.

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