Late October 2017, the Me Too movement was underway. Harvey Weinstein had been outed as a serial rapist and predator of dozens (if not hundreds) of women. Other men were being called out as predators too. Kevin Spacey was one of them, and much like Weinstein, we were expecting his name to come up. I’m not sure many people expected Anthony Rapp to so eloquently describe Spacey’s attempt to seduce him/molest him when Rapp was only 14 years old though. In the wake of Rapp’s story, dozens of Spacey’s victims came forward, publicly and privately to producers on House of Cards. Spacey was fired, and he’s under investigation in a lot of cities. He “went dark” months ago and we haven’t heard much.
Well, Guy Pearce has a short story he’d like to tell you about Kevin Spacey. Spacey and Pearce worked together on one of my favorite movies of all time, LA Confidential. That came out in 1997, when Spacey was a huge deal – he had just gotten an Oscar for The Usual Suspects, and everyone wanted to work with him. Guy Pearce says that, no surprise, Spacey was “handsy” with him on the set.
Guy Pearce shocked an Australian TV audience when he revealed disgraced actor Kevin Spacey was a “handsy guy” on the set of “LA Confidential.” The “Memento” star, 50, starred alongside Spacey in the 1997 film based on James Ellroy’s novel, and suggested he was a little too full-on.
Speaking to Andrew Denton on the chat show “Interview,” Pearce said of Spacey: “Yeah … yeah. Tough one to talk about at the moment. Amazing actor; incredible actor. Mmm. Slightly difficult time with Kevin, yeah.” He added: “He’s a handsy guy. Thankfully I was 29, and not 14.”
As I kept saying throughout the months of revelations about Spacey, his abusive behavior was an open secret among journalists and actors for decades. Gabriel Byrne said that Spacey even assaulted someone as they worked on The Usual Suspects too, and it all got hushed up. There’s a point to be made about how successful white men who are abusive predators get their crimes “hushed up” with ease. But there’s something else to all of these Spacey stories – so many of his victims were men with less power than Spacey, and they didn’t speak out because they were embarrassed, because it’s not “supposed to happen” to men or boys, etc.
Also: I keep forgetting that Guy is with Melisandre now!!
Photos courtesy of WENN, Warner Bros.
This creep has film tv and theatre credits dating back over 35 years… just think how many people this dude could have assaulted in all those years and everyone just covered for him because he was a “good” actor… boggles the mind…
I know, it beggars belief. Wasn’t he part of the paedophile Epstein, Clinton, Prince Andrew etc group who were always flying off to so-called ‘sex parties’ with underage boys and girls?
Yay, Guy and Carice!
Love them together!
This makes me so sad/angry since I loved Kevin Spacey
Same, I used to big fan of him, but I also have to say that I wasn’t surprised by this too much.
Same here. There really isn’t a performance of his that I don’t love (Swimming with Sharks is a personal favorite). When his years of abuse was exposed it made me so sad but, also sadly, a part of me wasn’t surprised. There were definitely rumblings but I didn’t want to believe it. I mean there was even a bit years ago in a Family Guy episode where Stewie, on a dare, runs through the mall naked shouting “Help! I’ve just escaped from Kevin Spacey’s basement!” Yeah…I guess it wasn’t really much of a secret, just hiding in the shadows.
I watched that interview on Tuesday night. Andrew Denton has a lovely calm and gentle way of asking the hard questions that other interviewers don’t, and gets the answers. When Guy spoke about Spacey, I literally squirmed. He didn’t say much at all, really, until the last bit:”Thankfully, I was 29, and not 14″, and THAT said it all. Spacey is a disgusting grub, and I hope his career is permanently ruined.
Wow. I love Guy Pearce and I especially love LA Confidential. If you young ones haven’t seen it yet, stream it when you have the time.
That’s just heartbreaking, here’s this guy with a breakthrough role (Guy) and he’s really the star of the film, the plot hinges on his character – sure Russell Crowe was brilliant too and but in most ways, Guy’s portrayal was even more complex and masterful. To think he was a young guy possibly dealing with Spacey’s abuse at the same time he’s trying to get create and be an actor in a big HW production, it’s just maddening.
The irony is, that one of the backstories in the film is about the casting couch of young male Hollywood actors, one of which is played by actor Simon Baker (The Guardian, The Mentalist, etc) his innocent character was one in which Spacey’s cop character nonchalantly manipulates into situations until it’s too late.
Now I’m wondering if he made moves on him too. Simon has been married forever but that wouldn’t have stopped spacey probably. Ugh
LA Confidential was the best movie of 1997. Too bad it lost the Oscar to Titanic. I’m such a fan of that movie, and of Guy Pearce, that I’m infuriated that I have to see Spacey’s mug every time I rewatch.
@booboocita at least he’s a sleaze ball, unlikeable character in it!
Simon Baker and Kevin Spacey did another movie together in 2011 Margin Call, where they had a lot of solo scenes together. Demi Moore, Zachary Quinto, Stanley Tucci, Paul Bettany, Jeremy Irons and Penn Badgley were all in the film as well.
Yep he full out said Spacey was a pedophile.
If I ever hear a bad word about Guy, I’ll just cry.
I LOVE Guy Pearce and have for a very long time. It makes me sad to know that Kevin Spacey caused him pain & difficulty on the set of his big breakthrough role. I always thought Spacey was creepy & gross and honestly never even really enjoyed his performances. And now the sight of his disgusting face would make me unable to even sit through a movie with him in it, which sucks because “American Beauty” is one of my all-time favorites.
Discuss:
Guy Pearce’s Andy Warhol was the best Hollywood Andy Warhol.
Whether you liked Factory Girl or not, I defy you to deny this.
100% agreed, he is the definitive Hollywood Warhol as far as I’m concerned!
Not that it means much, but I have a Art History degree and focused a lot of time on Warhol and the factory (so fascinating in a car crash glam/sad high/low way).
He NAILED Warhol
Also lol/awesome that Jack Huston was Gerard Malanga in Factory Girl!! Fantastic actor (love him forever for Boardwalk Empire), would’ve liked Gerard to be a bigger character in that film, as he was a key part of the Factory
He WAS the best Andy!! Even better than Bowie in Basquiat!!
I’m glad Guy used the opportunity to clarify he didn’t cheat on his wife because everyone was assuming he did (even though it’s not really anyone’s business as they’re not reality tv stars or whatever). Outstanding actor. Loved him as an actor forever. His wife left him for another woman. Kevin Spacey is a monster and acting wise I’ve come to the realisation he does sort of the same thing every time.
Pearce’s words do not sync with his timeline.