Kevin Spacey has kept a relatively low profile in the last few years, choosing to focus on theater instead of movies. Since 2003 he has been the artistic director of London’s Old Vic Theatre, after directing its opening production of Cloaca. Since then Spacey – born in New Jersey – has spent most of his time in London. It seems that he’s been very much accepted by the Brits, as the University of Oxford just named Spacey its Cameron Mackintosh Visiting Professor of Contemporary Theater.

Spacey will succeed Shakespearean actor and “Star Trek: The Next Generation” star Patrick Stewart when the new academic year starts in October. Previous holders of the post, endowed by theater impresario Mackintosh, include composer Stephen Sondheim, playwright Alan Ayckbourn and actress Diana Rigg.

In a statement, Spacey said he was delighted to be appointed to the one-year post, which requires him to give lectures, workshops and seminars at the 800-year-old university.

“It really is an honor for me to have been invited to follow such illustrious names and take up this role at Oxford,” Spacey said. “The university is steeped in tradition and has a great heritage in the arts, and I look forward to working with the students and staff.”

The college’s master, Roger Ainsworth, said Spacey was “a truly international star and will bring an enormous wealth of talent and experience in both film and theater to bear on the role. He will be a huge draw for the student population of Oxford and to the wider public, too,” Ainsworth said.

[From the Huffington Post]

Talk about taking your craft seriously. As prestigious as it is to win an Academy Award (Spacey’s won two), being asked to teach at Oxford is even more of an honor. Though I don’t think it comes with anything shiny that you can stick on your mantel. What an awesome tribute to Spacey’s skills, and an exciting way for his students to spend the next year.

Here are Kevin Spacey and Benicio Del Toro at the Raisa Gorbachev Foundation Third Annual Gala Dinner at Hampton Court Palace in London, England on June 7th. Images thanks to WENN.