FILE PHOTO – 71st Tony Awards Arrivals New York City, U.S., 11/06/2017 – Actor Kevin Spacey. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez/File Photo
By: Matt Owczarz
Actor Kevin Spacey said he is “beyond horrified” about allegations of sexual advances he made towards then 14-year-old actor Anthony Rapp in an incident almost 30 years ago.
Spacey, famous for “House of Cards” and “The Usual Suspects,” said he doesn’t remember the encounter, but if it did happen it would have been “deeply inappropriate drunken behavior,” for which he offered his apologies in a statement.
“I have a lot of respect and admiration for Anthony Rapp as an actor,” said 58-year-old Spacey in a Twitter statement, before further going on to say, “But if I did behave then as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology … I am sorry for the feeling he describes having carried with him all these years.”
— Kevin Spacey (@KevinSpacey) October 30, 2017
In an interview with Buzzfeed, Rapp, now 46, said Spacey befriended him while they were performing in Broadway shows.
In 1986, a 14-year-old Rapp attended a party at Spacey’s apartment, he said.
Rapp said after the party, Spacey, 26 at the time, picked Rapp up, placed him on his bed and climbed on top of him, committing the sexual advance.
The Star Trek Discovery actor said he felt compelled to come forward after the numerous public allegations of sexual abuse and harassment that have arisen from members of the entertainment industry.
I came forward with my story, standing on the shoulders of the many courageous women and men who have been speaking out 1/3
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) October 30, 2017
to shine a light and hopefully make a difference, as they have done for me. 2/3
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) October 30, 2017
Everything I wanted to say about my experience is in that article, and I have no further comment about it at this time.
— Anthony Rapp (@albinokid) October 30, 2017
Spacey also addressed his sexual orientation further down in the same statement, right after his apology for sexual misconduct.
“This story has encouraged me to address other things about my life,” Spacey wrote.
He continued that he has “had relationships with both men and women” but now chooses to “live as a gay man.”
Spacey received furious criticism from celebrities and the gay community for pairing his response on sexual misconduct towards a child with his declaration for coming out.
Dear fellow media:
Keep focus on #AnthonyRapp BE THE VICTIM’S VOICE. Help us level the playing field.
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 30, 2017
Bye bye, Spacey goodbye, it’s your turn to cry, that’s why we’ve gotta say goodbye. #ROSEARMY
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 30, 2017
No no no no no! You do not get to “choose” to hide under the rainbow! Kick rocks! https://t.co/xJDGAxDjxz
— Official Wanda Sykes (@iamwandasykes) October 30, 2017
Kevin Spacey has just invented something that has never existed before: a bad time to come out.
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) October 30, 2017
This sexual allegation follows many recent allegations of sexual misbehaviour directed towards those in Hollywood, most notably movie producer Harvey Weinstein.