Rosanna Arquette has publicly disclosed the significant financial and professional price she paid for rejecting disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein. The acclaimed actress, now 66 years old, enjoyed a minor yet memorable role in the iconic 1994 film Pulp Fiction, portraying the wife of drug dealer Lance, a character played by Eric Stoltz.
The Success of Pulp Fiction and Arquette's Exclusion
Quentin Tarantino wrote and directed the cinematic masterpiece, while Harvey Weinstein, currently serving a 16-year prison sentence for rape, served as a producer. Despite being made on a modest budget of just $8 million, Pulp Fiction achieved enormous critical acclaim and commercial success, ultimately grossing over $213.9 million worldwide.
However, Arquette reveals that the film's triumph leaves a bitter aftertaste for her personally. She was the sole cast member denied a percentage of the lucrative box office profits, commonly referred to as a "back end" share. "I'm the only person who didn't get a back end. Everybody made money except me," she stated emphatically in an interview with The Times.
The Alleged Incident and Its Consequences
Arquette does not hold director Quentin Tarantino responsible, noting he actively wanted her in the movie. Instead, she directly attributes the financial exclusion to producer Harvey Weinstein. The actress recounts a disturbing meeting in the early 1990s when she went to discuss a script with Weinstein at the Beverly Hills Hotel.
Upon arrival, she was instructed to proceed to his hotel room, where she found Weinstein waiting in a bathrobe. He allegedly attempted to force her to touch his penis during the encounter. "I was fortunate because I was not raped," Arquette told the publication. "But, boy, was it going there and I paid a price for saying no, and later I paid a price for telling the truth."
Speaking Out Against Weinstein
In 2017, Rosanna Arquette emerged as one of the first women to courageously speak out against Harvey Weinstein, alongside fellow actresses Mira Sorvino and Annabella Sciorra. Once a dominant Hollywood power broker, Weinstein became the central figure in the #MeToo movement after numerous media reports exposed widespread allegations of sexual misconduct.
Approximately 60 women eventually came forward with harrowing accusations against the producer. He has since been convicted of various sex crimes in both New York and California courts. Weinstein is currently serving his 16-year sentence for the California rape conviction while awaiting a third Manhattan trial later this year to address a remaining rape charge from his 2025 New York retrial.
Weinstein's Current Condition and Arquette's Career
The imprisoned producer is reportedly battling multiple serious health issues, including cancer, diabetes, spinal stenosis, and a potential immune system disorder. Meanwhile, Rosanna Arquette is making a notable return to the screen this year, starring in Charli XCX's innovative mockumentary titled The Moment.
The film features Charli XCX, whose real name is Charlotte Aitchison, playing a fictionalised version of herself based on her own story. Arquette joins an ensemble cast including Jamie Demetriou and Alexander Skarsgård, who portray various fictional characters. Directed by Aidan Zamiri, the production creatively blends authentic footage from Charli's Brat tour with scripted backstage scenes. The film premiered in the United Kingdom and Ireland on February 20th.
