Kevin Spacey has issued a strongly-worded response to allegations he “targeted” Guy Pearce, telling the former co-star “you’re not a victim” and “grow up”.
On Tuesday, Pearce spoke about the 1997 film LA Confidential, choking up while alleging Spacey had pursued him while they were shooting the Oscar-winning film.
He told The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast: “I was sort of scared of Kevin because he’s quite an aggressive man.
“He’s extremely charming and brilliant at what he does… but I was young and susceptible, and he targeted me, no question.”
Pearce, 57, did describe details of the alleged encounters but said he had a “couple of confrontations with Kevin” that “got ugly” since filming LA Confidential.
Spacey, 65, has spent years fighting off allegations of sexual harassment and assault, all of which he has denied. Although he has admitted to “being too handsy“ in the past.
Spacey leaving a London court in 2023 after being cleared of sexual assault charges. File pic: Reuters
The House of Cards star and Oscar winner described having “been through hell and back” in a video response on X, in which he denied Pearce’s claims and criticised him for going to the media.
“We could have had that conversation, but instead, you’ve decided to speak to the press, who are now, of course, coming after me, because they would like to know what my response is to the things that you said,” Spacey said in the video.
“Guy, you need to grow up. You are not a victim.”
Spacey then posed a series of questions to Pearce: “Did you also, by the way, tell the press that a year after we shot LA Confidential you flew to Savannah, Georgia – while I was shooting Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil – just to spend time with me?”
He then asked: “Did you tell the press that too? Or does that not fit into the victim narrative you have going?”
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In 2017, actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of sexual assault. Spacey was found not liable during the subsequent civil lawsuit.
He was also accused of groping an 18-year-old at a Massachusetts bar in 2016. Charges were dropped in 2019 after the accuser refused to give evidence.
In 2023, Spacey was also acquitted by a UK jury of sexually assaulting four men while working as the artistic director of London’s Old Vic Theatre.
Last week an additional civil lawsuit was filed in the UK against Spacey and London’s Old Vic alleging sexual abuse.
Spacey has consistently denied any accusations of sexual misconduct.
