(NewsNation) — Kevin Spacey said that “honest journalism” is what he needs for redemption while discussing the new allegations of sexual misconduct made against him in a recently released docuseries.
“I’m trying to show that I’ve listened. I’ve learned. I’ve got the memo,” Spacey said Thursday night during his first live TV appearance in years, exclusively on NewsNation’s “CUOMO.” “I feel very strongly that whatever mistakes I’ve made in my life, that I paid a price.”
The two-part documentary “Spacey Unmasked” recently aired in the U.K. and is now streaming on Max. It features testimonies about Spacey’s alleged sexual misconduct, including a claim that he allegedly groped another “House of Cards” actor on set.
Kevin Spacey denies new allegations
Spacey, the Oscar-winning actor, denied the new allegations of inappropriate behavior from the men who were featured in the documentary.
Spacey, who won Academy Awards for “The Usual Suspects” and “American Beauty,” told Cuomo the MeToo movement was needed but believes the pendulum “swung far in the direction of unfairness.”
“Honest Journalism” is what Spacey said is needed for redemption. “I have to work very hard at rebuilding the trust that some may have lost in me. … I have, in fact, listened. I am ready to move forward. … I want to prove that I’m a man of great character. The responsibility for that is mine.”
Spacey said he had never done anything illegal and admitted that he struggled to get back to work after being acquitted last year of criminal charges in a London court.
In July, a London jury acquitted Spacey on sexual assault charges stemming from allegations by four men dating back 20 years. The court victory was his second since he saw off a $40 million lawsuit in 2022 in New York brought by “Star Trek: Discovery” and “Rent” actor Anthony Rapp.
The actor also claimed on X, formerly Twitter, that he had “repeatedly requested” that Britains’s Channel 4 give him more than seven days to respond to the allegations made about him in their documentary.
Spacey said the broadcaster refused “on the basis that they feel that asking for a response in seven days to new, anonymized and non-specific allegations is a ‘fair opportunity’ for me to refute any allegations made against me.”
“Each time I have been given the time and a proper forum to defend myself, the allegations have failed under scrutiny and I have been exonerated,” he added.
Sharon Stone, Liam Neeson rally to ‘uncancel’ Kevin Spacey
Sharon Stone and Liam Neeson are among the growing list of actors who have come to the defense of Spacey and calling for his return to the industry, Variety news reported.
Stone and Neeson released statements to The Telegraph and were joined by Stephen Fry and F Murray Abraham. Abraham was accused of sexual misconduct during the production of the Apple TV+ series “Mythic Quest,” which reportedly led to his firing.
“I can’t wait to see Kevin back at work. He is a genius. He is so elegant and fun, generous to a fault and knows more about our craft than most of us ever will,” Stone told The Telegraph, adding that it was clear aspiring actors “wanted and want to be around him.”
Neeson said he “was deeply saddened to learn of these accusations against” Spacey, but added: “Kevin is a good man and a man of character. He’s sensitive, articulate and non-judgmental, with a terrific sense of humor. He is also one of our finest artists in the theatre and on camera. Personally speaking, our industry needs him and misses him greatly.”
Spacey told Cuomo he was “enormously pleased” that his friends have stood up for him. He said he no longer behaves in “any way that is questionable.”
“I’ve tried to spend these last seven years going into myself. Asking questions. Listening. Having conversations with people that I felt I owed amends to. And that at a certain point, I just want to get back to work. … I feel like I’ve got so much to offer,” Spacey said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
