Sharon Stone and Liam Neeson are among several actors calling for Kevin Spacey’s return to Hollywood.
Spacey was ousted from the entertainment industry in 2017 after several men accused him of sexual misconduct. Last year, the two-part documentary, Spacey Unmasked delved into the allegations and unveiled previously unheard testimonies from purported victims.
Sharon advocated for Spacey in a recent story for the UK’s The Telegraph.
“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 said, explaining it’s evident that aspiring actors “wanted and want to be around him.”
She continued, “It’s terrible that they are blaming him for not being able to come to terms with themselves for using him and negotiating with themselves because they didn’t get their secret agendas.”
Neeson spoke with the publication, saying he “was deeply saddened to learn of these accusations against.”
He 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.”
Stephen Fry and F. Murray Abraham also told The Telegraph that the Oscar winner should be welcomed back to the industry. According to Variety, Abraham was accused of sexual misconduct on the set of Apple TV+’s Mythic Quest, which is reportedly why he was fired.
Spacey previously blasted Spacey Unmasked, telling journalist Dan Wootton that his departure from acting has become a “life sentence.”
“Nobody in Hollywood has ever presented a path back for me. There’s no coursework material. I’ve been given no boxes to check, no nothing. It seems that some are content with just canceling me forever," he said, per Variety.
The allegations against the 65-year-old emerged during the #MeToo movement in 2017, leading to several lawsuits against him. In 2022, Spacey was cleared in the sexual abuse suit brought against him by Anthony Rapp, who accused Spacey of assaulting him in the 1980s when Rapp was 14. Spacey was also charged with nine counts of sexual assault in the UK, which were also dropped. He has consistently denied the allegations.
Spacey Unmasked, which premiered in the UK, is currently streaming on Max.