Kevin Spacey Acknowledges Past Misconduct, Faces Bankruptcy Over Legal Fees
Kevin Spacey Acknowledges Past Misconduct, Faces Bankruptcy Over Legal Fees (Photo: Maryland GovPics/Wikimedia Commons/CC-BY 2.0 )

In a candid interview with Piers Morgan on "Piers Morgan Uncensored," Kevin Spacey, the two-time Oscar-winning actor, opened up about his troubled past and financial woes. Spacey, who has faced multiple allegations of sexual misconduct since 2017, admitted to "pushing the boundaries" and being "too handsy" with people. His admission comes as he grapples with the brink of bankruptcy, largely due to mounting legal fees.

Spacey, 64, broke down in tears during the interview, revealing that he will soon lose his Baltimore home due to financial strain. "My house is being sold at auction," he lamented. "I have to go back to Baltimore and put all my things in storage. I'm not quite sure where I'm going to live now."

The actor's fall from grace began in October 2017 when actor Anthony Rapp accused him of making a sexual advance when Rapp was just 14 years old. This accusation, which Spacey denied, ignited a series of allegations against him, propelling him into the throes of the #MeToo movement. Spacey was subsequently fired from his starring role in the hit Netflix series "House of Cards."

In the interview, Spacey addressed his past behavior, admitting to "touching someone sexually in a way that I didn't know at the time they didn't want." He conceded that he had engaged in inappropriate behavior but distinguished his actions from what he considers more aggressive misconduct. "I have caressed people. I have been gentle with people. That is the way that I am," he explained.

Spacey emphasized that he has changed and vowed never to repeat his past behavior. "I will never behave in the ways that I did previously, ever," he declared. He also reflected on the darker periods following the allegations, revealing that there were times when he felt extremely low. "There were a couple of times when it was very dark and when I was at my lowest," he confessed.

The actor also discussed his initial response to Rapp's allegations, which included coming out as gay. He now acknowledges that it was a "bad statement" and regrets not addressing the accusations and his sexuality separately. "I should have made separate statements about my sexuality and about his accusation," he admitted.

Spacey's legal battles have been extensive. In 2019, charges were dropped in a Massachusetts case where he was accused of groping an 18-year-old at a bar. In 2022, he was found not guilty in a federal civil court case brought by Rapp. Additionally, last year, Spacey was acquitted in a UK court of sexually assaulting four men during his tenure as the artistic director of London's Old Vic Theater.

 

Despite these legal victories, Spacey faces ongoing financial challenges. He disclosed that his Baltimore home is being foreclosed on due to his inability to pay "many millions" in legal bills. "There's been a couple of times when I thought I'd file for bankruptcy - but we've managed to dodge it, at least as of today," he said.

The interview also touched on Spacey's association with controversial figures like Jeffrey Epstein and former President Bill Clinton. Spacey addressed a 2002 trip to Africa on Epstein's private jet, which also included Clinton. He claimed he was unaware of Epstein's background at the time and distanced himself from Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein's accomplice. "I didn't know him, and I never spent any time with him," Spacey asserted.

Reflecting on his personal growth, Spacey expressed gratitude for the lessons learned through therapy and self-reflection. "I absolutely believe I'm a better person," he said. "There were bouts with arrogance. There were bouts with ego. My goal now is to be a man of good character."