What began as a scandal over one mega-producer’s alleged sexual misconduct has taken on a powerful life of its own.
Countless women — and men — came forward and shared their #MeToo stories, talking about incidents in childhood or adulthood in which they were sexually harassed or assaulted. In many cases, these individuals had held onto stories, afraid or ashamed to share them, for years or even decades.
The average #MeToo story comes from everyday people and often don’t name the people who wronged them. Many don’t even know the men’s names.
However, a number of celebrities and non-celebrities alike have come forward and their #MeToo stories are naming the names of powerful men.
Directors, producers, and actors who have for years used social pressure, Hollywood culture, wealth, and celebrity status to remain above reproach are suddenly being called out so loudly that even they cannot ignore it.
Some of these powerful men have admitted to having done wrong. Others are fiercely denying the allegations against them, even when it’s their word against dozens — or more.
It seems that more accused sexual predators are named every day, so here’s a running list of the powerful figures who have been called out for alleged sexual misconduct.
Chris Hardwick Chris Hardwick has denied all allegations of sexual assault against him. They were leveled by ex-girlfriend Chloe Dykstra.
James Franco (Getty Images) Five women have come forward and claims Franco acted inappropriately with them on a movie set. He has denied these allegations.
Harvey Weinstein (Getty Images) We of course could not make this list without including the titular figure in the Weinstein scandal. This mega-producer has lost his job and his wife over accusations of sexual harassment and sexual assault. Multiple famous actresses have shared their Weinstein stories. He’s also under investigation by the LAPD. His public downfall has encouraged countless others to come forward.
Brett Ratner (Getty Images) Though not the only X-Men director to have been accused of sexual misconduct, Brett Ratner has been accused of sexual harassment and sexual assaults going back decades, and well-known actresses have spoken out and accused him of some very upsetting things.
Louis C.K. (Getty Images) Years ago, rumors sprouted up about an unnamed big-name comedian who seemed to enjoy masturbating in front of women he worked with. Several of those women came forward and named Louis C.K. … and though he didn’t quite say the word “sorry,” Louis did acknowledge that their stories were true.
Ed Westwick (Getty Images) Former Gossip Girl star Ed Westwick has been accused by two different actresses with frighteningly similar stories. Both allege that they were at his house and invited to sleep in guest beds, only to awaken to Westwick allegedly sexually assaulting them. Both women say that people they considered friends urged them to keep quiet. It’s heartbreaking.
Steven Seagal (Getty Images) Jenny McCarthy says that Steven Seagal encouraged her to disrobe during a casting call … when she was acting out a courtroom scene. Former actress Lisa Guerrero (who is now a journalist) says that Seagal had her audition at his home while he appeared to be wearing only a robe, and that she’s glad that she brought along someone else. And now Portia de Rossi says that Steven Seagal once “unzipped” in front of her. These are very disturbing allegations.
Andy Dick (Getty Images) Andy Dick was fired from a project over allegations of sexual harassment, including genital groping and … licking people. Andy Dick’s defense, a claim that licking people on the face after kissing them is “his thing,” isn’t helping. If “your thing” is making people uncomfortable, you probably should find a new thing.
Kevin Spacey (Getty Images for Sony Pictures H) Rumors involving himself and underage teenage boys have followed Spacey for years. Now, under the auspices of the Weinstein scandal, RENT and Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp came forward and shared his #MeToo story, alleging that Kevin Spacey made a very physical sexual advance on him when he was 14. Kevin Spacey has been fired and is actively being edited out of one of his recent films.
Ben Affleck (Getty Images for CinemaCon) Ben Affleck was outspoken in condemning Harvey Weinstein, which invited claims of hypocrisy. Rose McGowan accused him of knowing about it all along. Then an old video resurfaced of him groping Hilarie Burton during a 2003 interview. And then a makeup artist accused him of groping her butt as recently as 2014.
Bob Weinstein (Getty Images) An executive producer on The MIst (the Spike series based on the Stephen King story that was already a movie) accused Bob Weinstein of making unwanted sexual advanced for MONTHS that only stopped when she told Weinstein Company executives that she’d quit the project if Bob didn’t back off. That wouldn’t be an appropriate situation anywhere, especially a workplace.
Chris Savino (Getty Images for SCAD) Chris Savino might not be a big-shot celebrity, but he’s the creator of a hit new animated series, The Loud House. He has now been fired after dozens of women have come forward with complaints that he allegedly made unwanted advances and threatened women who ended relationships with him.
David Blaine (Getty Images) A model named Natasha Prince accused David Blaine of having sexually assaulted her in 2004. David Blaine has vehemently denied it.
Dustin Hoffman (AFP/Getty Images) Dustin Hoffman has been accused of being sexually inappropriate with a minor who, during high school, works as an assitant on a production of his. Though he eventually backed off at her request, she says that he groped her and said upsettingly inappropriate things to her.
George H.W. Bush (Getty Images) Former President George H.W. Bush has been accused by multiple women of groping their butts during photo ops. Because these are recent accusations, some believe that the former President may be suffering from a form of dementia that reduces his self-control.
George Takei (Getty Images) The Star Trek actor and LGBT rights proponent has been accused of groping a man without his consent back during the early ’80s when the two were drinking together. Though the man says that George Takei backed off when he told him to, he says that it left him feeling betrayed and “like a piece of meat.” Very disappointing to hear. Takei has denied the entire incident.
James Toback (Getty Images) James Toback has been accused of sexual misconduct by over 300 women. Again, that’s over 300, including big-name actresses like Selma Blair, Rachel McAdams, and Julianne Moore. More than 30 women have gone on record about their experiences. Actresses have described being lured to hotel rooms for “routine” casting calls only for Toback to attempt to pressure them into disrobing or sexually gratifying him. He has vehemntly denied these claims which, again, have the backing of more than 300 accusers.
James Woods (Getty Images for WGAw) James Woods tried to condemn a gay film because of an age gap (a legal one, mind you) between the characters. This prompted actress Amber Tamblyn to share her story, before we were calling them #MeToo stories, of James Woods trying to pick her up when she was a minor. She alleges that Woods acted as if the fact that she was underage was a bonus. Other women have spoken on Twitter about similarly creepy alleged encounters with the actor. Now, Weeds star Elizabeth Perkins has called out James Woods for harassment.
Jeffrey Tambor (Getty Images for Museum of the M) Jeffrey Tambor is a beloved comedic actor known for his roles on Arrested Development, Archer, and more recently on Transparent. His former assistant has claimed on social media that he sexually harassed her. Amazon says that they are investigating.
Jeremy Piven (Getty Images) Actress Ariane Bellamar has accused Entourage star Jeremy Piven of forcibly groping her on two occasions. Two other women have come forward, but Piven denies the allegations.
John Besh (Getty Images for Hamptons Magazi) Not an actor or director or whatever, but John Besh is a celebrity chef. He has been accused of sexual harassment and being coercive during a sexual relationship, with the woman in question facing harassment from coworkers when she attempted to end things. Besh has apologized and expressed regret and disappointment, but … yikes.
Oliver Stone (Getty) Model Carrie Stevens alleges that Oliver Stone grabbed her breast without her consent at a party, 20 years ago. Patricia Arquette tweeted about a “strange” encounter with Stone in which he sent her flowers and then allegedly seemed unhappy that she brought her boyfriend with her to their next meeting.
Roy Moore (Getty Images) Roy Moore isn’t part of Hollywood, but women are coming forward to reveal that, when they were underage teens, Roy Moore made overtures at them. One 14-year-old speaks of how Roy Moore, as a court officer in this 30s, “dated” her, groping her. Sadly, Roy Moore might still win his congressional bid, as Alabama is deeply red and a number of local Republican leaders are rallying around to support him. Other Republican leaders, however, though they were fine with his extreme positions on the LGBT community and on non-Christians, draw the line at molesting a 14-year-old.
Stephen Collins The former 7th Heaven star admitted to and apologized for sexual contact with minors, so he was already on everybody’s creep list well before the Weinstein scandal. He has since, however, been accused of having groped journalist Mimi Kramer in the past. No, he does not get “points” for this alleged victim being an adult.
Terry Richardson (Getty Images for New York Fashion Week: The Shows) Photography, particularly photography featuring nudity or sexual imagery, can be complicated and have different boundaries on what is or is not appropriate than an office job would be. Terry Richardson has been accused of crossing even those lines, however, and has been accused of sexual harassment for years by various models and others with whom he’s worked. Vogue and GQ are now refusing to work with him.
R. Kelly (Getty) R. Kelly is infamous; his name is forever synonymous with the disturbing idea of urinating on an underage girl. The new accusations against him, however, are much worse. It is alleged that he is running a sex cult in which he uses starvation, isolation, and brutal physical abuse to turn women into his sex slaves.
Mark Schwahn (Getty Images) Mark Schwahn has been accused of rampant sexual harassment. He’s best known for having created One Tree Hill.
Tom Sizemore (Getty Images) Tom Sizemore already has a police record for substance abuse and repeated instances of domestic violence, but now a dozen people have come forward to confirm an allegation that, in 2003, and 11-year-old girl accused Sizemore of molesting her genitals on a movie set. Truly sickening.
Charlie Rose (Getty Images) Charlie Rose has been accused of rampant sexual harassment by eight different women.
Matt Lauer (Getty Images) Matt Lauer was fired by NBC in November of 2017 for alleged sexual assault and misconduct. Wow.
Garrison Keillor (Getty Images) Garrison Keillor, creator of Prairie Home Companion and noted author and voice actor, has been fired.
Danny Masterson (Getty Images for Netflix) Danny Masterson has been fired by Netflix amidst many rumors that he committed sexual assault.
Stan Lee (Getty Images for Entertainment W) Yes, him too. Click on the above headline for details.
Aziz Ansari (Getty Images for The Critics’ Choice Awards) Click above to read what a woman has claimed Ansari did to her/with her in his apartment.