Several actors, including Sharon Stone, Liam Neeson, Stephen Fry, and F. Murray Abraham, are coming to the defense of Kevin Spacey and calling for his return to the industry. Spacey has not worked in Hollywood since being accused of sexual misconduct by multiple men in 2017. The two-part documentary “Spacey Unmasked” recently aired in the U.K. and is now streaming on Max, featuring new testimonies about Spacey’s alleged misconduct, including claims that he groped another “House of Cards” actor on set.
In statements given to The Telegraph, Sharon Stone and Liam Neeson expressed their support for Spacey’s return to work. Stone praised Spacey as a genius who is elegant, fun, and knowledgeable about the craft, while Neeson described him as a good man of character and one of the industry’s finest artists. F. Murray Abraham vouched for Spacey unequivocally, criticizing those who continue to attack him despite his acceptance of responsibility for certain behavior.
Stephen Fry criticized the documentary “Spacey Unmasked” for unfairly targeting Spacey and likening him to Harvey Weinstein. He questioned the proportionality and justification of devoting a whole documentary to accusations that do not add up to crimes. Spacey himself lamented being shut out of the industry, expressing frustration at not being given a path back and feeling content with just being canceled forever.
Since the allegations against Spacey arose in the wake of the #MeToo movement, he has faced multiple legal cases, including accusations from Anthony Rapp and other complainants. In 2022, a New York jury concluded that he did not molest Anthony Rapp, and a U.K. court found him not guilty of nine charges of sexual assault. Spacey has consistently denied all allegations against him. Despite the legal outcomes, Spacey continues to face backlash and remains excluded from the industry, with supporters like Stone, Neeson, and Abraham advocating for his return.
Spacey’s supporters believe that he has been unfairly targeted and that he is being denied the opportunity to redeem himself and return to work. They describe him as a talented and knowledgeable artist who is missed in the industry. The controversy surrounding Spacey continues to divide opinions, with some supporting his return and others remaining opposed. It remains to be seen if Spacey will be able to make a comeback in Hollywood and move past the allegations that have plagued his career.
