Kevin Spacey sexual misconduct allegations

Spacey in 1996

In 2017, American actor Kevin Spacey faced several allegations of sexual misconduct. Those allegations began after Anthony Rapp alleged that Spacey, while appearing intoxicated, made a sexual advance toward him at a party in 1986, when Rapp was 14 and Spacey was 26.[1][2] Rapp had also shared this story in a 2001 interview with The Advocate, but Spacey's name was redacted from publication to avoid legal disputes and public outing.[3] Spacey stated on Twitter that he did not remember the encounter, but that he owed Rapp "the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior" if he had behaved as asserted.[4][5] On September 9, 2020, Rapp sued Spacey for sexual assault, sexual battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress under the Child Victims Act.[6] In the subsequent federal civil court proceeding, a jury found that Spacey did not molest Rapp and was found not liable on all counts, with Rapp subsequently ordered by the court to pay Spacey $39,089 in damages.[7][8]

Fifteen others then came forward alleging similar abuse,[9] including Boston anchorwoman Heather Unruh, who alleged that Spacey sexually assaulted her son;[10][11] filmmaker Tony Montana; actor Roberto Cavazos;[12] Richard Dreyfuss' son Harry;[13] and eight people who worked on House of Cards.[14] The Guardian was contacted by "a number of people" who alleged that Spacey "groped and behaved in an inappropriate way with young men" as artistic director of The Old Vic theatre.[15][16][17]

In the wake of these claims, Netflix cut ties with Spacey, shelving his biopic of Gore Vidal and removing him from the last season of House of Cards. His completed role as J. Paul Getty in Ridley Scott's film All the Money in the World (2017) was reshot with Christopher Plummer.[18][19] Spacey has denied the accusations and was found not liable in a 2022 lawsuit in New York. In a separate case in London, he was acquitted by a jury of sexual assault charges in 2023.[20][21]

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  18. ^ Guardina, Carolyn (December 18, 2017). "Ridley Scott Reveals How Kevin Spacey Was Erased From 'All the Money in the World'". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on December 22, 2017. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  19. ^ Rubin, Rebecca (November 13, 2018). "Christopher Plummer on Replacing Kevin Spacey in 'All the Money in the World': 'It's a Shame'". Variety. Archived from the original on December 20, 2021. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
  20. ^ Arkin, Daniel (October 20, 2022). "Kevin Spacey found not liable in sex abuse suit brought by Anthony Rapp". NBC News. Archived from the original on November 12, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2022.
  21. ^ Nicholls, Catherine; Edwards, Christian (July 26, 2023). "Actor Kevin Spacey cleared of all charges of sexual assault". CNN. Archived from the original on November 14, 2023. Retrieved July 26, 2023.