Kevin Spacey believes he is on the path to a career comeback following the resolution of sexual assault allegations. Months after reaching a settlement with three men who accused him of sexual assault, the double Oscar winner stated he feels more welcomed in Hollywood.
Spacey's career faced a significant downturn in 2017 when allegations of sexual assault and harassment emerged, claims he has consistently denied. In 2023, he was cleared of sexually assaulting four men in a criminal trial. Earlier this year, a settlement was reached with three other men who alleged abuse occurred between 2000 and 2015.
"I feel much more welcomed, and I think that things are moving in the direction that we hoped they were moving in," Spacey said in an appearance on Bill Maher's Club Random Podcast. He characterized the impact of the allegations as a nine-year "Hollywood jail sentence" from which he is now emerging.
Spacey also addressed the nature of the allegations, telling Maher that while he "hit on a lot of guys," there was "no fire, it just wasn’t a raging forest fire. It was a small kitchen fire that could have been put out with an extinguisher." He spoke of being "fiercely closeted" and feeling attacked rather than understood by the gay community.
The actor noted that he has prevailed in court on multiple occasions. He contested a claim by Anthony Rapp that Spacey made an unwanted sexual advance in 1986 when Rapp was 14 and Spacey was 26. A New York City jury found in 2022 that Rapp did not prove his claim. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for Rapp for comment.
In March, a settlement was agreed upon with three men who had accused Spacey of abuse. These individuals had met Spacey through his role as artistic director at London's Old Vic theatre. The terms of this settlement remain confidential, and further proceedings have been stayed by court order. One claimant, Ruari Cannon, had also brought a legal action against The Old Vic, which was settled out of court. Cannon alleged that Spacey assaulted him in 2013 at an event related to a theatre production.
Spacey, who won Academy Awards for "American Beauty" and "The Usual Suspects," was removed from the TV drama "House of Cards" and the film "All the Money in the World" after the initial allegations surfaced. Regarding the accusations, Spacey stated in 2024, "I take full responsibility for my past behavior and my actions, but I cannot and will not take responsibility or apologize to anyone who's made up stuff about me or exaggerated stories about me. I've never told someone that if they give me sexual favors, then I will help them out with their career, never."
Looking ahead, Spacey indicated his focus is on his career and personal life, stating, "I don't have a steady boyfriend but I'm in the market."