“A Lot of Friends in Every Industry”: How Did Jeffrey Epstein Charm Hollywood?

Jeffrey Epstein’s alleged little black book, first published by Gawker in 2015, is a fascinating read. Since the mogul’s arrest on July 6 on sex trafficking charges, much has been made of his political connections—especially to the Trumps, Kennedys, Kissingers, and, of course, Bill Clinton. (Epstein pleaded not guilty.) But Epstein’s social circle was both wide and diverse; in addition to his political and financial-world connections, Epstein also had phone numbers for A-listers including Ralph Fiennes, Courtney Love, Dustin Hoffman, and Jimmy Buffett, though the latter’s name was misspelled “Buffet.” And even after Epstein’s conviction in 2008, when he managed to cut a deal with Miami prosecutors to evade federal prosecution for soliciting prostitution from girls as young as 14, he and his alleged fixer managed to attend Hollywood premiere parties and galas. How did he do it?

A 2002 New York profile of Epstein contains a quote attributed to Epstein that helps explain the answer: “I invest in people—be it politics or science. It’s what I do.” The publication described Epstein as a man who collected “beautiful minds”—a hobby he apparently extended into many social circles. As longtime gossip columnist George Rush recently told V.F., “You got the sense that he could adopt many masks.” Rush never thought he’d see the day Epstein faced a federal indictment: “He’s sort of like a Nazi who fled to South America,” he said. “He was living in peace, like Dr. Mengele in Paraguay, literally on his own island. I think he got too relaxed. It just seemed like he had gotten away with so much, and that the world had moved on.” One #MeToo movement and a Miami Herald exposé later, however, things changed.

But Epstein didn’t just hang out with politicians and Manhattan socialites. In addition to the celebrities named above, Epstein’s alleged address book also included phone numbers for a stunning variety of performers and entertainment industry execs, including Alec Baldwin, David Blaine, Phil Collins, Richard Plepler, Chris Tucker, and famed agent Michael Ovitz. In 2002, Tucker and Kevin Spacey joined Epstein for a philanthropic trip to Africa, flying there on Epstein’s plane—an event that sparked the press’s interest in Epstein’s typically behind-the-scenes presence. (New York ran its profile after that trip, noting that ever since news of it broke, “the question of the day has been: Who in the world is Jeffrey Epstein?”

The roster of attendees to a 2010 party for Prince Andrew at Epstein’s Upper East Side townhouse included an equally wide variety of names: reported guests like Katie Couric, George Stephanopoulos, Charlie Rose, Woody Allen, and Chelsea Handler.

It’s unclear how well Epstein knew any of the A-listers in his apparent address book, or vice versa. A former friend of Epstein’s wrote in Salon that as the mogul’s “legend grew, many others were fascinated or amused or impressed by Epstein or simply delighted that he wrote checks to their charities.” It’s very possible these A-listers didn’t really know Epstein beyond a handshake and a business card. But in the wake of the July 6 indictment, at least some of Epstein’s society friends have reportedly stayed loyal to the supposed billionaire; as a source told the Daily Beast, “A jail sentence doesn’t matter anymore. The only thing that gets you shunned in New York society is poverty.”

Either way, Epstein’s ability to move through the entertainment world proved shockingly durable until fairly recently. Even after his 2008 conviction, the Hollywood Reporter notes, Epstein attended major red-carpet events, including the Batman v Superman premiere and Oscar season parties. One top Hollywood veteran told the trade that Epstein took a keen interest in show business. “He would call and ask, ‘What does this person do? What do you think of Paramount?’ Questions like that,” THR’s source said. “He was an investor. He seemed incredibly smart. I didn’t know what his social life was…. But based on what I’ve read, he had a lot of friends in every industry.” Now, however, it seems safe to assume that circle has gotten a lot smaller.

— Our cover story: How Idris Elba became the coolest—and busiest—man in Hollywood

Source: Vanityfair.com

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