Bewitched actress Rose McGowan has called disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein a “mafia boss”.
The 52-year-old actress and activist is known for starring in 1996's Scream, 1999's Jaws and playing Paige Matthews in the hit fantasy drama series Charmed.
The Hollywood star was also one of the first of more than 100 women to come forward and accuse the film producer of sexual harassment.
Speaking on the We Need To Talk podcast, McGowan said: “They calculated that he was thanked more times at the Oscars than God. Because he was their god.”
“It was like a mafia boss. He was big, gigantic and tough, and later I saw men shaking when he walked into the room, like grown men who were like strong players. They wanted to start the physical shaking, the horror.
“People have a hard time understanding the level of control and power, even though he may not have made the most money from anyone, there was something about his situation that held people back.
“I think he was a bandit.
“Not a tough mafia boss in a Marlon Brando type suit, but more of a street lifestyle.”
In 2023, Weinstein was sentenced to 16 years in prison for rape and sexual assault in California.
He has consistently denied all allegations of non-consensual sex.
Harvey Weinstein in 2016 (David Mirzoeff/PA)
McGowan recalled that the alleged attack occurred during a meeting her manager arranged between her and Weinstein while attending the Sundance Film Festival.
She said: “Looking back, every detail leading up to this moment, I could see how orchestrated everything was to get me to the position I found myself in.
“I really thought I was safe.
“He was actually on his way out. I was almost out. I saw the door and then it kind of moved sideways, pulled in like it was a room with a hot tub.
“The next thing I know, I'm naked and looking like a statue. And I just froze.”
After the incident, McGowan said she “short-circuited” and became even more “depressed and angry.”
