Kevin Spacey has been accused of sexual harassment and assault by several crew members on House of Cards. Just a few days ago actor Anthony Rapp (Star Trek: Discovery) went public about an incident in which Spacey lifted him onto a bed and climbed on top of him - when Spacey was 26 and Rapp was only 14. Spacey’s attempt at an apology also included a coming out announcement after years of him avoiding discussing his sexuality. Spacey’s apology and coming out were met with criticism, including accusations of trying to manipulate the media’s focus away from his inappropriate behavior, and anger that he associated pedophilia with homosexuality as well as implying that his sexual orientation was a choice.
Since then, House of Cards creator Beau Willimon spoke out against Spacey’s behavior. Announcements that season 6 would be the final season of the Netflix series and that spinoffs were in the works - supposedly not including Spacey’s character Frank Underwood - came out almost immediately. Then production on the show’s sixth season was halted.
The Wrap is reporting that both his talent agency CAA and publicist Staci Wolfe have dropped him. Several more accusers have come out with their own stories of sexual harassment and misconduct by the actor. Now, crew members from House of Cards have also come forward with their own stories. CNN interviewed several current and former employees of the show who either experienced or witnessed crude remarks, inappropriate touching, and even worse behavior from Spacey over the last several years.
One man who was a production assistant on the show early in the run described an incident where he picked Spacey up and drove him to the set. The former PA said that when they were almost to the set, Spacey put his hand down the other man’s pants without permission. Hoping to remain anonymous, the PA implied that more happened, but asked that the details not be published for fear of it identifying him. However, once they parked and the PA helped the actor bring his belongings to his trailer, Spacey cornered the man, blocking the exit and continued to make inappropriate physical contact. The man said, “‘I don’t think I’m ok with this, I don’t think I’m comfortable with this,” and Spacey became flustered and left the set.
Both Netflix and producing partner on the show Media Right Capital have responded to these allegations, including arranging an “anonymous complaint hotline, crisis counselors, and sexual harassment legal advisers for the crew.” According to Deadline, Netflix has claimed to have been unaware of any incidents involving Spacey on the set of House of Cards, though it turns out that a few months before Spacey groped him in the car, the same PA had made a complaint about Spacey’s inappropriate behavior and actions had been taken to make sure the two of them were never alone - until the harassment stopped for long enough that the man felt comfortable driving Spacey. He did not make a further complaint to his employers or report the incident in the car to the police, though he did tell a coworker who has confirmed the story.
Another crew member who has remained with the show for its entire run claimed that Spacey often made inappropriate remarks and physical contact with him. Fear of reprisal - Spacey is a producer on the show as well as the star and a two time Oscar winner, all giving him a great deal of power on set - prevented the crew member from ever complaining in order to keep his job. His stories were confirmed by a close friend who he spoke to about the various incidents. Several other crew members on House of Cards, including a camera assistant and a female production assistant have come forward with behaviors they witnessed, including seeing Spacey touching male crew members publicly and making lewd comments.
Rapp’s story about Spacey went public on Monday, only four days ago. If this many stories have come out about Spacey in just half a week, it’s hard to imagine what else we might know in another week or two. Or who else will be named in the fallout that began with Harvey Weinstein and continues to take down predators from among the most elite in Hollywood.
Next: Kevin Spacey’s All the Money in the World Oscar Campaign Shelved
Source: CNN, Deadline, The Wrap
