Kevin Spacey will be 65 - The Condemned Without a Verdict
Long considered one of the greatest actors of our time, Kevin Spacey was, until a few years ago, the darling of the masses, celebrated and welcomed wherever he went. But then came the fall of 2017. In the wake of the MeToo movement, allegations of sexual assault and harassment against the Oscar-winning actor ("American Beauty") surfaced - over 30 cases. Spacey was then mentioned in the same breath as sexual offender Harvey Weinstein. A downfall as deep as few others.
Thirty years of success to success
For 30 years, it went steeply uphill for Spacey, largely due to his unparalleled talent, especially for roles with dark secrets. He made his film debut as a serial killer in "Seven". In 1996, he received the Supporting Actor Oscar for "The Usual Suspects" and four years later the award for Best Actor in "American Beauty". For his brilliant portrayal of US politician Frank Underwood in the Netflix megahit "House of Cards", he received a Golden Globe.
However, in the light of the revelations against film mogul Harvey Weinstein, several men accused Spacey of sexual assault. "My world completely changed in the fall of 2017," Spacey once said about it. "My job, many of my relationships, my reputation in my own industry - all that was gone within hours."
Netflix ended its collaboration on "House of Cards" and sued Spacey for damages, as complaints from crew members about him had surfaced. Scenes with Spacey in the thriller "All the Money in the World" (All the Money in the World) were removed retrospectively. New roles were no longer to be thought of.
Acquittals in the USA and London
In the first major trial, the charges were brought by actor Anthony Rapp. Rapp had accused Spacey of being sexually inappropriate with him at a party in 1986 and causing him harm. Rapp demanded damages. But Spacey won the trial, the jury in New York unanimously decided in 2022 that he was not guilty.
The same result came from a jury in London last year, where four men accused Spacey of sexual offenses. Two other civil lawsuits in the USA were withdrawn.
Acquittals do not necessarily mean innocence. It is extremely difficult for the prosecution to prove crimes in retrospect in cases of sexual assault and rape. The extent to which Spacey's behavior was criminal will probably never be clearly determined.
His homosexuality, Spacey had long kept hidden. "I've tried things out, but I couldn't admit who I was," he told Time Magazine in 2023. "I had panic attacks about being found out." About his career, he said at the time, "There's no school where you can learn how to deal with fame." "I really tried not to be an asshole. But I believe, in some way, I was."
"I can't pay the bills"
The major accusations are legally at least temporarily off the table. However, the social verdict on Spacey remains relevant. Apart from minor roles, his career is at a standstill. Recently, an interview with British talk show host Piers Morgan caused a stir. Here, Spacey stated that he cannot pay the bills he owes, does not know where he will live next, and has millions in debt, causing him to sell his house.
"I cannot pay the bills," he said. He also did not know where he would live. Morgan asked him what he would do next. A pause. "Get back on the horse. Get back on the horse," Spacey replied, visibly shaken, on the verge of tears, pitifully. His critics would probably say: bankrupt.
- Following the allegations against Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey also faced accusations of sexual assault and harassment by over 30 individuals in the United States of America.
- The fallout from these allegations led to a significant change in Spacey's life, as he lost his job, many relationships, and his reputation in the industry within hours.
- Anthony Rapp, an American actor, accused Spacey of being sexually inappropriate with him at a party in 1986, causing him harm.
- In 2022, a jury in New York unanimously decided that Spacey was not guilty in the trial brought by Rapp, marking his first major acquittal in the United States of America.
- Similar results were seen in a trial in London, where four men accused Spacey of sexual offenses, but the jury ruled in his favor.
- Despite these acquittals, Spacey's career in Hollywood and on television has significantly slowed down, with few roles offered to him.
- In an interview with British talk show host Piers Morgan, Spacey admitted to struggling financially, having millions in debt, and not knowing where he would live next.
- In the same interview, Spacey mentioned that he has sold his house and is trying to get back on his feet, metaphorically speaking, by getting back into acting.
- Spacey's situation has sparked controversy in the media, with some criticizing his actions while others extend him sympathy and hope for his career recovery.
