Harvey Weinstein begged for support from other in industry before firing

Harvey Weinstein apparently sent an email to other leading industry players pleading for their support. Photo / AP

Over the weekend, as the Weinstein Company board was preparing to fire him, Harvey Weinstein sent a desperate email to leading industry figures pleading for help.

The email, confirmed by Variety, urges its recipients to write a letter of support to the board. Weinstein begs for a "second chance," and says he will go to therapy and counseling, possibly "in a facility".

Weinstein initially said he would go on a temporary leave to address decades of sexual harassment.

The board followed through and fired Weinstein, citing his breach of the company's code of ethics.

Variety has learned that the board was responding, at least in part, to Weinstein's efforts to impede an internal investigation by intimidating employees, which Weinstein denies.

In the email, Weinstein says he believes that his firing "might be illegal and would destroy the company".

It is unclear if he will take legal action to challenge the firing.

"If you could write this letter backing me, getting me the help and time away I need, and also stating your opposition to the board firing me, it would help me a lot. I am desperate for your help. Do not let me be fired. If the industry supports me, that is all I need," he wrote.

Among the industry figures who have received the letter, and refused to help, are former DreamWorks mogul Jeffrey Katzenberg and NBC Universal vice chair Ron Meyer. Top executives at Creative Artists Agency, WME-IMG, among others, also rebuffed Weinstein's requests for help.

- AAP