Kevin Spacey Plans Return To Acting If He’s Cleared Of Sexual Misconduct

Updated Jun 14, 2023, 03:42pm EDT

Topline

Actor Kevin Spacey—who will stand trial later this month on 12 sex offense charges in London after his career was derailed by numerous sexual misconduct allegations—said in an interview with a German news outlet that he plans to return to acting if he’s cleared of those charges.

Key Facts

Crucial Quote

“I’m not trying to even the score,” Spacey told ZEITmagazin. “I have no interest in fighting something that’s not worth fighting against.” Stacey also told the publication that he believes the ongoing scandals won’t be his legacy, saying: “In ten years, it won’t mean anything,” adding, “My work will live longer than I will, and that’s what will be remembered.”

Key Background

Allegations about Spacey’s misconduct first surfaced in 2017 when actor Anthony Rapp told Buzzfeed News Spacey made an unwanted sexual advance toward him when he was 14 years old. Since then, more than two dozen other accusations have surfaced, including some from individuals who were teenagers at the time of the alleged misconduct. A 2017 internal investigation at London’s Old Vic Theater—where Spacey served as artistic director from 2004–15—found 20 former actors and theater personnel who accused Spacey of misconduct. Last fall, Spacey was found not liable for assault and battery after Rapp sued Spacey for $40 million. In a separate case, Spacey had indecent-assault charges dropped in 2019 stemming from accusations that he had groped a busboy at the Club Car restaurant in Nantucket, Massachusetts. Spacey was also accused of harassing some cast and crew members on the set of his Netflix series House of Cards. He was later fired from the show and his character was written off. While Spacey has denied some claims, like the one made by Rapp, he has not commented on many of the other allegations made against him.

What To Watch For

Spacey is facing 12 sex offense charges from events that allegedly took place from 2001 to 2013 in a London trial set to start later this month. Last July, Spacey pleaded not guilty to 5 of those charges, including 4 counts of sexual assault and one count of causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. In January, he pleaded not guilty to 7 more offense charges. The four-week trial on the charges will begin June 28, the Guardian reported.

Further Reading

Kevin Spacey Pleads Not Guilty To 7 Sexual Offense Charges (Forbes)

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