Spacey seeks treatment
LOS ANGELES: Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey is seeking unspecified treatment, according to his representatives, following allegations of sexual misconduct that have forced a halt in production of his Netflix show House of Cards and a social media backlash.
“Kevin Spacey is taking the time necessary to seek evaluation and treatment,” his representatives said in a statement late on Wednesday.
On Thursday, CNN published a report in which eight current and former employees of House of Cards, who were not identified, alleged sexual misconduct against Spacey.
House of Cards production company Media Rights Capital said it was “deeply troubled to learn about these new allegations”.
The company said it had handled one incident in 2012, in which a crew member it did not identify had “shared a complaint about a specific remark and gesture made by Kevin Spacey” and that immediate action had been taken and the issue was resolved.
It said Spacey had “willingly participated in a training process” and that it was not aware of any complaints since then involving the actor.
Netflix said it was aware of the 2012 incident involving Spacey and “is not aware of any other incidents involving Kevin Spacey on set”.
Spacey over the weekend apologised to actor Anthony Rapp, who had accused him of trying to seduce him in 1986 when Rapp was 14.
Netflix said earlier this week that it was “deeply troubled” by Rapp’s allegation and suspended production of the upcoming sixth and final season of House of Cards, in which Spacey plays United States President Frank Underwood.
As part of his apology, Spacey announced he was gay, but angered many in the LGBT community and beyond who saw his announcement as an effort to divert attention from the accusation by Rapp.
Rapp said on Twitter that he had no further comment.
The announcement on Spacey’s treatment follows harassment allegations against him this week by Mexican actor Roberto Cavazos, who worked in the London theatre where Spacey was artistic director from 2004 to 2015, and US filmmaker Tony Montana.