A-list actor Kevin Spacey, star of Netflix series House of Cards and numerous award-winning movies, said Sunday he is “beyond horrified” by allegations that he made sexual advances on a teen boy decades ago.
The two-time Oscar winner posted on Twitter that he doesn’t remember the encounter.
“But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behaviour, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years,” he said.
In an interview with BuzzFeed, actor Anthony Rapp (Star Trek: Discovery, Dazed and Confused) said Spacey befriended him while they both performed on Broadway shows.
Rapp was 14 when he attended a party at Spacey’s apartment in 1986, he said. At the end of the night, an inebriated Spacey picked him up, placed him on his bed, and climbed on top of him, Rapp said.
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Rapp said the 26-year-old was holding him down tightly, but he was able to get away and left the apartment.
Rapp, who is now 46, said he came forward after allegations against Harvey Weinstein sparked conversations about sexual abuse and harassment in the entertainment industry.
Spacey, who is now 58, also spoke publicly about his sexual orientation for the first time Sunday on Twitter.
“As those closest to me know, in my life I have had relationships with both men and women,” he said. “I have loved and had romantic encounters with men throughout my life, and I choose now to live as a gay man.”
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Spacey, who has fiercely protected his private life, had never disclosed his sexuality before but said Rapp’s story encouraged him to speak.
“I want to deal with this honestly and openly and that starts with examining my own behaviour,” he said.
Spacey felt the wrath of social media after his Twitter response, with many decrying his attempt at deflection. Others said that his “drunk” excuse doesn’t hold water, even if the alleged incident took place 30 years ago. Both celebrities and non-celebrities alike let their feelings known about Spacey.
Actor Zachary Quinto composed an especially poignant and direct tweet.
Rapp claims that he never told anybody else about his experience, and hasn’t spoken to Spacey directly since the alleged encounter.
“If I were ever in any sort of weird situation where suddenly, like, I was at a party, and there’s Kevin Spacey, and I’m with a friend, and he comes up to us, what would I do?” he said to BuzzFeed. “I have no idea. To this day, I don’t know what I would do.”
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After coming out with his allegations, Rapp explained his motivations in a series of tweets.
Aside from the Twitter response, Spacey has not commented on the allegations.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse or is involved in an abusive situation, please visit the Canadian Resource Centre for Victims of Crime for help. They are also reachable toll-free at 1-877-232-2610.
— With files from Chris Jancelewicz