Oscar-Nominated Actor Shares Emotional Journey Towards Acceptance

Guy Pearce, recently Oscar-nominated for his role in The Brutalist, has spoken openly about his experiences with Kevin Spacey during the filming of LA Confidential in 1997. Although Pearce had previously downplayed his encounters, describing Spacey as “handsy” in 2018, he is now addressing the situation with more candour.

During an interview on the Awards Chatter podcast by The Hollywood Reporter, Pearce shared that gaining clarity about his experiences led him to “break down and sob”. Reflecting on his time working with Spacey, he revealed, “I just try to be more honest about it now and call it for what it is.”

While acknowledging his own distress, Pearce emphasised that his experiences were less severe compared to others’ allegations against Spacey. He explained, “I was probably a victim to a degree, but certainly not to the extent that others have suffered at the hands of sexual predators.” Pearce admitted to minimising his feelings at the time, recalling how he repeatedly dismissed his discomfort.

According to Pearce, his fear of Spacey stemmed from the actor’s aggressive behaviour, despite his charisma and talent. “He holds a room remarkably… but I was young and susceptible, and he targeted me, no question,” Pearce recounted.

He also revealed that during the film’s production, he only felt “safe” when Spacey’s attention was on fellow actor Simon Baker. In 2017, when allegations against Spacey became public—initially sparked by Anthony Rapp’s claims of inappropriate behaviour in 1986—Pearce re-evaluated his own experiences. This led to confrontations with Spacey, which Pearce described as “ugly”.

Reflecting on his emotional reaction to the news reports, Pearce said, “I broke down and sobbed… I think it really dawned on me the impact that had occurred and how I had brushed it off or blocked it out.” He admitted feeling conflicted after discussing the issue on an Australian talk show, torn between wanting accountability and avoiding unwanted media attention.

Despite the allegations, Kevin Spacey was acquitted of misconduct and sexual assault charges in the US and UK and won a lawsuit brought by Anthony Rapp. In an interview with NewsNation last May, Spacey stated his belief that the #MeToo movement had “swung very, very far in the direction of unfairness,” adding, “I’ve listened. I’ve learned. I feel very strongly that whatever mistakes I’ve made in my life, I’ve paid a price.”

Since the accusations, Spacey has faced challenges in reviving his acting career. His recent roles include voicing an evil GPS in the thriller Control and playing The Devil in the upcoming Italian film The Contract.