Kevin Spacey in London on June 21, 2017; Brian Cox in London on Dec. 3, 2024.Photo:Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty; John Phillips/Getty
Matt Crossick/PA Images via Getty; John Phillips/Getty
Brian Coxis speaking out in support ofKevin Spacey.
In a conversation withThe Hollywood Reporterpublished Monday, Dec. 16, the 78-year-old actor reflected on Spacey’s controversies and his perspective about his former costar now.
“I met with him recently. I think he’s been through it,” said Cox of Spacey, 65. “He’s had the kicking that some people think he deserved. He’s ready to get back in the saddle again, and people are trying to stop him from doing that.”
TheSuccessionactor continued on to say he “really [does] go back to, ‘Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.’ "
“Maybe he got too out of hand, but I don’t think he should be punished endlessly for it,” Cox said. “There should be a case of forgive and forget. Let’s move on. I think he should be given the opportunity to come back to work.”
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Kevin Spacey.David M Benett/Dave Benett/Getty
“I just think Kevin had certain things which he couldn’t or didn’t admit to, and I think it was a strain on him in many ways,” the Scottish actor said. “And for me, that was Kevin’s only difficulty. But he’s a very fine actor, and I like Kevin a lot. He’s very funny.”
Spacey’s career unraveled whenAnthony Rappbecame the first person topublicly accuse himof sexual assault, with several more accusers coming forward in the years that followed.
In 2022, a New York jury found thatSpacey wasnot liable for batteryin relation to Rapp’s accusations; the following year, a U.K. court found himnot guilty of nine counts of alleged sexual assault, with additional initial charges in the case struck as well.Allegations against the actor havecontinued to amassin documentaries like Investigation Discovery’sSpacey Unmasked, released in May.
Kevin Spacey in New York City on May 24, 2017.Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage
Daniel Zuchnik/WireImage
TheHouse of Cardsalum, who has denied all claims made against him — and received criticism forcoming out as gay in response to Rapp’s initial accusationsin 2017 — said in a June interview onPiers Morgan Uncensoredthat he is struggling to pay his legal bills and that hishome in Baltimore was being foreclosed onas a result of the criminal prosecution against him and other lawsuits.
Amid his controversies, Spacey has received support from multiple fellow actors, includingSharon StoneandLiam Neeson.
In a chat withTHRpublished in July, Stone, 66, noted that “people are mad at me for” speaking out in defense of Spacey, adding, “I said that after being in therapy for seven years, not being allowed to work, losing his home, losing everything,he should be allowed to come back.”
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
source: people.com