Kevin Spacey
Kevin Spacey Fowler (born July 26, 1959) is an American actor, director, producer, screenwriter, and singer. He began his career as a stage actor during the 1980s before obtaining supporting roles in film and television. He gained critical acclaim in the early 1990s that culminated in his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the neo-noir crime thriller The Usual Suspects (1995), and an Academy Award for Best Actor for midlife crisis-themed drama American Beauty (1999).
Sexual assault allegations
In October 2017, actor Anthony Rapp alleged that Spacey, while appearing drunk, made a sexual advance toward him in 1986, when Rapp was 14.[1][2] In the wake of Rapp's accusation, numerous other men alleged that Spacey had sexually harassed or assaulted them.[3][4] Spacey responded to the allegations against him on Twitter. In the response, Spacey said he did not remember the encounter, but stated that if he had behaved as described by Rapp he owed him "the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior."[5][6]
Subsequently, 13 others came forward alleging similar episodes of abuse,[7] including journalist Heather Unruh,[8][9][10] filmmaker Tony Montana, actor Roberto Cavazos,[11] Richard Dreyfuss' son Harry,[12] and eight people who worked on House of Cards.[3] The Guardian newspaper claims to have been contacted by "a number of people" who worked at the Old Vic, where Spacey was artistic director for 11 years, alleging he "groped and behaved in an inappropriate way with young men at the time".[4][13]
In the midst of the allegations against Spacey, House of Cards was canceled, with filming of its sixth and final season suspended.[14] (The show was due to end its run in 2018, with sources stating that the decision to end the drama had been made prior to the allegations.[9]) It was also announced that Spacey would not be returning to House of Cards in any capacity, and that a Gore (film) that he had starred in and that was set to be distributed by Netflix would no longer see a release. [15][16] Netflix went on to sever all ties with the actor.[15][17]Spacey was due to appear in Ridley Scott's biographical film All the Money in the World as industrialist J. Paul Getty; however, all scenes involving Spacey were cut from the film and Christopher Plummer replaced him as Getty in reshoots.[18] The International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences decided that "in light of recent events" it will not honor Spacey with the 2017 International Emmy Founders Award.[9]
On November 1, Spacey stated that he would be seeking "evaluation and treatment" for his behavior.[19][20] The following day, Variety reported that Spacey's publicist Staci Wolfe and his talent agency CAA were ending their relationships with the actor due to the assault allegations.[21][14]
References
- ↑ Nordyke, Kimberly. "'Star Trek' star claims Kevin Spacey made a pass at him at age 14; Spacey apologizes, comes out as gay", The Hollywood Reporter, October 29, 2017. Retrieved on October 30, 2017.
- ↑ Felman, Kate. "Anthony Rapp accuses Kevin Spacey of trying to seduce him when he was 14", New York Daily News, October 29, 2017. Retrieved on October 29, 2017.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Miller, Mike. "Kevin Spacey accused of sexual misconduct by eight House of Cards employees: report", People, November 2, 2017. Retrieved on November 3, 2017.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Kevin Spacey: Old Vic accused of ignoring sexual misconduct allegations", The Guardian, 2 November 2017. Retrieved on 3 November 2017.
- ↑ Kanetkar, Riddhima. "Kevin Spacey: sexual advances on teenaged Anthony Rapp was 'inappropriate drunken behavior'", International Business Times, October 29, 2017. Retrieved on October 29, 2017.
- ↑ Schulman, Michael (October 30, 2017). Kevin Spacey Muddies the Waters. The New Yorker.
- ↑ Kevin Spacey scandal: A complete list of the 14 accusers.
- ↑ Shanahan, Mark. "Heather Unruh tweeted two weeks ago that Kevin Spacey assaulted someone she knew", The Boston Globe, October 30, 2017. Retrieved on October 31, 2017.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 Vincent, Alice. "Netflix to cancel House of Cards in wake of Kevin Spacey allegations", The Telegraph, 31 October 2017. Retrieved on 3 November 2017.
- ↑ "Kevin Spacey: Former TV anchor Heather Unruh says Spacey assaulted her son in 2016", USA Today, November 8, 2017. Retrieved on November 8, 2017.
- ↑ Staff writer. "Kevin Spacey: More allegations of sexual harassment surface", BBC News, November 1, 2017. Retrieved on November 3, 2017.
- ↑ Dreyfuss, Harry. "Actor Harry Dreyfuss: When I Was 18, Kevin Spacey Groped Me", Buzzfeed, November 4, 2017. Retrieved on November 4, 2017.
- ↑ 'House of Cards' former employee says Kevin Spacey sexually assaulted him on set.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Melas, Chloe. "'House of Cards' employees allege sexual harassment, assault by Kevin Spacey", CNNMoney, November 3, 2017. Retrieved on November 3, 2017.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "Netflix severs ties with Kevin Spacey, drops 'Gore' movie", The Hollywood Reporter, November 3, 2017.
- ↑ Oldham, Stuart. "Kevin Spacey suspended from ‘House of Cards’", Variety, November 3, 2017.
- ↑ Staff writer. "Kevin Spacey: Netflix severs ties amid sex assault allegations", BBC News, November 4, 2017.
- ↑ Fleming Jr, Mike. "Shocker: Kevin Spacey dropped from ‘All The Money In The World;’ J Paul Getty role recast with Christopher Plummer", November 8, 2017. Retrieved on November 8, 2017.
- ↑ Rahman, Abid. "Kevin Spacey to seek "evaluation and treatment" in wake of sexual assault claim", The Hollywood Reporter, November 1, 2017. Retrieved on November 2, 2017.
- ↑ Staff writer. "Kevin Spacey seeks treatment as more stars face harassment claims", BBC News, November 2, 2017.
- ↑ Nyren, Erin. "CAA, publicist Staci Wolfe part ways with Kevin Spacey", Variety, November 2, 2017.
