Kevin Spacey Continues to Take Low Roads
Monday, October 30, 2017 at 5:07PM by Nathaniel R
a famously cheeky magazine cover from 1997Sigh. How do you solve a problem like Kevin Spacey? The actor's career started off splendidly but soon after those hugely popular double Oscar wins (The Usual Suspects and American Beauty) in the second half of the 1990s, he became rather insufferable both onscreen and as a celebrity. Acting is a subjective art but I personally can't make it through a single episode of House of Cards (I've tried a few times) with that pitched to the rafters hamminess.
The Netflix star has been resisting public admission of his open-secret homosexuality since he became famous. He's let decades go by without comment, while dozens of braver less famous actors took up the challenge and made the world a better place for future generations by coming out.
Now that he's accused of sexual assault by another man he chooses THIS moment to do it? For shame!
Ed Harris, Judith Ivey, and Anthony Rapp in Precious Sons (1986) on Broadway
Long Day's Journey Into Night (1986 Revival) on Broadway with Kevin Spacey and Jack Lemmon
If you haven't been following along the Tony-nominated actor Anthony Rapp (of Rent and Star Trek Discovery fame) accused Kevin Spacey of sexually advances when he was around 14 at a private party thrown by the actor in 1986. At the time Rapp was experiencing a career breakthrough (he was in the play "Precious Sons" on Broadway and was about to make his film debut with Adventures in Babysitting, 1987). Spacey, who was in his mid 20s, was also beginning to get attention with Broadway shows "Hurlyburly" in 1985 and "Long Day's Journey Into Night" in 1986 as well as his film debut in Heartburn (1986).
Spacey's statement
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) October 30, 2017
Though we firmly believe that LGBT people should come out en masse (unless they live in countries in which that's dangerous), this is the worst possible time for Spacey to do it. Forgive us for being less than generous, but this reads like a passive aggressive attack from Spacey against the LGBT community who have been asking him to come out for years.
To use a sympathetic act like coming out as his shield for despicable behavior is appalling and selfish. He's just given free ammunition to any homophobes as well as major media corporations who never know how to discuss gay issues. Soon we'll see the tired old hateful tropes come to play wherein LGBT enemies and ignorant media will equate homosexuality (which is neither good nor evil but just is... like heterosexuality) with predatory behavior and illegal activities like sex with minors. Spacey has just basically done this himself.
Straight people can have him back; he's no good for us.
P.S. On an not unrelated but frivolous note, we've updated the Best Supporting Actor chart to remove Kevin Spacey's impending prosthetic-makeup-heavy showcased role in All the Money in the World. This story won't help him win any votes.
P.P.S. Also on a possibly unrelated note (word was out that the show was probably ending anyway), though most outlets will frame it as very related, Netflix officially made the announcement today that they're ending House of Cards after its next season airs.
Reader Comments (53)
"Though we firmly believe that LGBT people should come out en masse (unless they live in countries in which that's dangerous), this is the worst possible time for Spacey to do it. Forgive us for being less than generous, but this reads like a passive aggressive attack from Spacey against the LGBT community who have been asking him to come out for years. "
To be completely fair - the man was publicly accused of making a pass at a (14 year old) male. Regardless of whether it was a 14 or 18 year old male making the accusation - the accusation itself puts him in a situation where he kind of HAD to come out. So I don't know that this argument about this being the "worst" time for him to come out ("why did he choose THIS moment to do so!!") is right. The wording could certainly have been different ("I choose now to live as a gay man" is some bizarre/shoddy wording) - but what sort of commentary would he have received if he addressed the matter without acknowledging his homosexuality? Damned if he did, damned if he didn't.
I am not defending his actions, I'm not saying he's not a predator, and I'm not indicating that he doesn't deserve to face consequences for this revelation. I absolutely agree that this statement welcomes some nasty, unwanted tropes. I just think that given the weight and sensitivities of this accusation, people are losing some sight on the matter.
Far from me to defend predators. but KBJr made great points. Seriously.
Spacey never wanted to be out and proud and we should always respect one privacy 'above all else', even communities and civil rights movements.
Secondly, yes one incident does not a make an issue per se.
We praise books like 'Lolita' and movies/books like 'Call me by Your Name' and forget the subtle ways we deal with those same subject matters in the real world.
There are always two or more interpretations to an incident like that- and we are far from knowing all the facts. But from what I read Spacey made forward sexual (and legal) approach to a boy he was attracted to- there was no intercourse, blackmailing, or physical violence involved; the boy was able/allowed to get away from said situation- apparently confused and traumatized (but not: abused). He should have told his parents, friends, mentors sooner and talked to Spacey in private, not come out in public and place himself in the same coin as victims or rape or real abuse. I am not denying that Anthony suffered what appears to be an unwanted sexual approach, at a young age, but a legal, prosecution, career destroying situation it does not make. And yes, Spacey shouldn't have released a statement trying to hide himself in a public movement of pride he has not been part of, thats bad rep, moral stance and horrible PR for such a persona.
raga, I agree. It seems like Spacey tries to seduce/charm (and the drop it if it’s not reciprocated) more than intimidate (Weinstein) or repeatedly harass (Hoffman). With that said Rapp was what 14, so illegal even if one thinks 14 is old enough to give consent (like it is in many other places and I personally think would be ok if intimidation/harassment was not part of it - though still not legal here).
What Weinstein did was disgusting. I’m not ready to condem Spaceys whole career just yet or call him an awful person but who knows what else will come out.