Kevin Spacey, a two-time Oscar winner, is set to stand trial in a London court, facing charges of sexually assaulting four men dating back as far as two decades ago.
The 63-year-old actor has pleaded not guilty to twelve charges, including sexual assault, indecent assault, and causing a person to engage in sexual activity without consent. If convicted, Spacey could potentially face a prison sentence.
Spacey has expressed that an acquittal, in this case, could potentially revive his career, which has been largely dormant since sexual misconduct allegations against him came to light. He gained his first Academy Award for supporting actor in the film “The Usual Suspects” in 1995.
In a rare interview published in Germany’s Zeit magazine earlier this month, Spacey stated that there are people who are ready to offer him work as soon as he is cleared of the charges in London. He also criticized the media for portraying him as a “monster.”
The charges involve incidents with men who are now in their 30s or 40s and occurred between 2001 and 2013, spanning the period when Spacey resided in Britain and served as the artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre until 2015.
The jury trial at Southwark Crown Court is expected to last for a duration of four weeks. The actor, who is officially charged under his full name Kevin Spacey Fowler, is currently out on bail.
Spacey’s downfall occurred during the emergence of the #MeToo movement in the United States. The allegations against him resulted in his removal from the Netflix series “House of Cards,” where he portrayed the lead character, Frank Underwood, a manipulative and corrupt congressman who eventually becomes president. Additionally, he was replaced in the completed film “All the Money in the World,” with Christopher Plummer reshooting his scenes.
During the 1990s, Spacey achieved significant acclaim and recognition, establishing himself as one of the most celebrated actors of his generation. He starred in notable films such as “Glengarry Glen Ross” and “LA Confidential.” In 1999, he earned his second Oscar for best actor for his performance in “American Beauty.”
Recently, Spacey has made a return to the screen after a few years of absence. He appeared in the 2022 film “The Man Who Drew God,” directed by Franco Nero, and portrayed the late Croatian President Franjo Tudjman in the biopic “Once Upon a Time in Croatia.” He also stars in the yet-to-be-released U.S. film “Peter Five Eight.”
In January, Kevin Spacey received the lifetime achievement award from Italy’s National Cinema Museum in Turin. He also made a return to public engagements by teaching a masterclass and introducing a sold-out screening of his film “American Beauty.” These events marked Spacey’s first speaking engagements in five years.
Spacey expressed his appreciation to the organizers for their bold support of artistic accomplishment and commended them for their courage in inviting him, using the Italian phrase “le palle,” which refers to male body parts and is synonymous with bravery.
