Kevin Spacey appeared at an event in Cannes yesterday (May 20) to receive an award, despite facing a British lawsuit alleging sexual abuse.
As reported by Deadline, Spacey was honoured at the Better World Fund Gala, receiving their Award for Excellence in Film and Television. The gala took place at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes, which is currently hosting the 78th edition of its prestigious film festival, though the event is not directly associated with the festival.
Spacey was first accused of sexual assault by Anthony Rapp in 2017, with a number of other accusers then coming forward over the next few years. In 2022, a jury in New York found that Spacey wasn’t liable for battery in relation to Rapp’s accusations, and in July 2023, a court in the UK found him not guilty of nine counts of alleged sexual assault.
However, as reported by Reuters in February, the Oscar-winning actor is facing another British lawsuit alleging sexual abuse. The case is also being brought against London’s Old Vic theatre, where Spacey worked from 2003 as artistic director.
Oscar-winning US actor Kevin Spacey said that 'it was nice to be back' at an awards ceremony on the sidelines of the Cannes Film Festival after being away from the limelight after a slew of sexual assault charges were leveled against him https://t.co/FcnZU40BL2 pic.twitter.com/NKsheYzyJL
— Reuters (@Reuters) May 21, 2025
The initial allegations against Spacey saw his acting career hugely impacted, as Netflix terminated their relationship with him ahead of the sixth and final season of political drama House Of Cards, in which he starred as Frank Underwood.
The Awakening, an independent conspiracy thriller and the first movie Spacey shot after being cleared of charges in the UK in 2023, is currently being marketed at the Cannes Film Festival.
Spacey gave a lengthy speech when accepting his award, during which he compared his own experience of being shut out of Hollywood to that of blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo in the 1950s, and thanked his manager, Evan Lowenstein, for his ongoing support.
He said: “I’ve learned a lot from history — it often repeats itself. “The Blacklist was a terrible time in our history [we must remember] so that it never happens again.”
He finished his speech by quoting Elton John, saying: “As my friend Elton John once said, and the reason that this means so much to me, is because I’m still standing, I’m still standing.”
Whilst walking the red carpet, Spacey stated: “I feel surrounded by so much affection and love. I’ve heard from so many of my friends and colleagues and co-stars in the last week since this award was announced. I feel surrounded by support and it’s very nice to be back.”
When one reporter asked if this was the beginning of a comeback for Spacey’s career, the actor responded: “Well, I’m glad to be working – I’ll tell you that.”
In February, Spacey dismissed claims made by L.A. Confidential co-star Guy Pearce that the actor “targeted him”, releasing a response video that said: “Grow up, you are not a victim”.