Harvey Weinstein, the disgraced former film producer currently incarcerated at Rikers Island, has claimed in a rare interview that he continues to receive an annual pension payment of $60,000 from The Walt Disney Company. The 73-year-old, who is awaiting his third trial for alleged sexual assault, expressed significant financial anxieties, stating that the fear of depleting his resources "keeps me up at night."
Financial Fears Behind Bars
In his first sit-down interview from prison, published by The Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday, Weinstein detailed his monetary concerns after spending millions on legal fees across multiple trials. "I had property and other income, but it's not limitless," he told the outlet. He further lamented that Disney had terminated his insurance coverage, despite his contributions to the company.
Claims of Billion-Dollar Contributions
Weinstein, who co-founded Miramax with his brother Bob in 1979, asserted that he generated substantial revenue for Disney during their partnership. He specifically highlighted the Percy Jackson book franchise, claiming, "I made $1 billion for the company by publishing the Percy Jackson book franchise. I earned billions and billions for Disney and they give me $60,000 a year." He added that his ex-wife, Eve Chilton, receives half of this pension amount.
Eve Chilton, Weinstein's first wife from 1987 to 2004, was a former assistant at Miramax. The couple had three daughters together: Remy, Emma, and Ruth. Disney has not publicly commented on Weinstein's pension claims following a request from The Independent.
History with Disney and Miramax
The Walt Disney Company acquired Miramax in 1993 for approximately $70 million, initiating a twelve-year relationship. During this period, the Weinstein brothers were known for producing successful independent films such as Sex, Lies, and Videotape and Reservoir Dogs. However, conflicts with Disney management, including then-CEO Michael Eisner, led to their departure in 2005.
According to reports from the Wall Street Journal at the time, the Weinstein brothers earned around $403 million during their tenure, including a final payout of $140 million. Disney later sold Miramax to Filmyard Holdings in 2010.
Eisner's Critical Remarks
Michael Eisner, who served as Disney's CEO from 1984 to 2005, recently described working with Weinstein as the most challenging aspect of his career. In a February interview on the In Depth podcast, Eisner stated, "He lied about everything. How do you deal with somebody who never tells the truth?"
Eisner further characterized Weinstein as "a pig" who was "rude" but possessed "great independent film taste." He noted, "He couldn't tell the truth, he didn't stick to the contracts," and recalled that no one at Disney except himself would interact with Weinstein.
Legal Context and Denials
Despite being convicted of sexual assault in two separate cases—a New York retrial last year and a Los Angeles case in 2022—Weinstein has consistently denied all allegations of sexual assault. He is now preparing for a third trial related to further accusations.
The interview underscores the ongoing legal and financial complexities surrounding Weinstein, even as he remains imprisoned. His claims about Disney's pension payments highlight the lingering financial ties from his past corporate affiliations amidst his legal battles.
