Amazon Studios boss resigns amid Weinstein scandal

Roy Price (left) with Harvey Weinstein at a function in New York earlier this year. Photo: Getty Images
Roy Price (left) with Harvey Weinstein at a function in New York earlier this year. Photo: Getty Images
Amazon Studios chief Roy Price has resigned, a company spokeswoman has confirmed, following reports that he harassed a producer and ignored an actress' allegation of sexual assault by disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein.

Albert Cheng, the studio's chief operating officer, remained interim head of the division, the spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

Price had gone on a leave of absence last week. 

Price's move came after many women have shared their experiences of mistreatment on social media using the hashtag #MeToo, in the wake of allegations of harassment against Weinstein.

Weinstein was forced out of his company this week following reports in the New Yorker and the New York Times that he had harassed and assaulted numerous women over three decades.

Weinstein has denied having non-consensual sex with anyone.

The Hollywood Reporter last Thursday reported an allegation by Isa Hackett, a producer on one of Amazon.com Inc's shows, that Price had lewdly propositioned her in 2015.

Hackett did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Reuters could not independently confirm the allegation.  Price could not immediately be reached independently by Reuters and he declined to comment to the Hollywood Reporter.

Hackett is the daughter of famed science fiction author Philip K. Dick, whose book The Man in the High Castle served as the basis for Amazon's eponymous show.

Last Thursday, actress Rose McGowan said on Twitter that she had told Price that she had been assaulted by Weinstein.

In tweets directed at Amazon chief executive Jeff Bezos, she criticised the company for doing business with the Weinstein Co.

Price has been integral to Amazon's movie business, helping steer it through an attempt to crowd-source television scripts and garnering Hollywood awards for shows such as Transparent.

Amazon Studios picked up three Oscars this year under Price's helm, though its failure to show at the Emmy Awards last month was seen by many in Hollywood as a setback.

Price's removal creates uncertainty about the studio's direction when Amazon is investing more on video content than ever before - some $US4.5 billion ($NZ6.2 billion) this year.