Kevin Spacey has unleashed on his current position in Hollywood as he tries to relaunch his career at the Cannes Film Festival.
The Oscar winner is in Cannes to receive the Award for Excellence in Film and Television from the Better World Fund Gala. Spacey was accused of sexual misconduct as part of the #metoo campaign—he was found not liable in a 2022 New York lawsuit, then acquitted of sexual assault charges in a London court in 2023.
However, his Hollywood career has stalled, and Spacey had plenty to say about it at the gala Tuesday. In a rambling speech, he noted, “Who would have ever thought that honoring someone who has been exonerated in every courtroom he’s ever walked into would be thought of as a brave idea. But here we are.”
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Spacey compared his current predicament to that of Oscar-winning screenwriter Dalton Trumbo, who was jailed in 1950 for refusing to testify before the House Un-American Activities Committee, and blacklisted for being a member of the Communist Party. He also spoke about Hollywood icon Kirk Douglas and his support for Trumbo, who went on to write the script for Spartacus (1960), in which Douglas played the title role.
“Even after he was warned if he tried to hire Trumbo as the credited screenwriter for Spartacus in 1960, he’d be called a Commie lover, and his career and professional status would be canceled, Kirk Douglas took the risk," Spacey said.
“He said this, ‘It’s easier for us actors to play the heroes on screen. We get to fight the bad guys and stand up for justice. But in real life, the choices are not always so clear. There are times when one has to stand up for principle.’”
“I’ve learned a lot from history—it often repeats itself,” Spacey said. “The Blacklist was a terrible time in our history (we must remember) so that it never happens again.”
Spacey went on to note the “475 other industry professionals whose lives were destroyed by false allegations during that lengthy dark period.” He added: “And today we find ourselves once again at the intersection of uncertainty and fear in the film business and beyond.”
The 65-year-old finished his speech by quoting an A-lister friend’s lyrics. “I send you all the most positive vibes, and as my friend Elton John once said, ‘the reason that this means so much to me is because I’m still standing. I’m still standing!’”
On the red carpet, Spacey posed for selfies and told reporters, “I feel surrounded by so much affection and love. I’ve heard from so many of my friends, and colleagues and co-stars in the last week since this award was announced. I feel surrounded by support and it’s very nice to be back.” When asked if he was planning a comeback he added, “Well, I’m glad to be working—I’ll tell you that!”
