Nearly three decades after their collaboration on the film L.A. Confidential, actor Guy Pearce has opened up about his discomfort working with Kevin Spacey, alleging the latter 'targeted' him during the film’s production. Pearce’s comments, made during his appearance on The Hollywood Reporter’s 'Awards Chatter' podcast, have reignited discussions about Spacey’s controversial past, leading to sharp responses from the disgraced actor.
During the podcast, Pearce, known for his Oscar-nominated role in The Brutalist, reflected on the time he spent with Spacey, saying he felt scared of the two-time Academy Award winner. "I was sort of scared of Kevin because he’s quite an aggressive man. He’s extremely charming and brilliant at what he does — really impressive, etc. He holds a room remarkably. But I was young and susceptible, and he targeted me, no question," Pearce recounted (according to The Hollywood Reporter).
This isn't the first time Pearce has hinted at his uneasy experiences with Spacey. Back in 2018, during another interview, he referred to Spacey as 'a handsy guy'. He later clarified his comments, stating he wasn't sexually assaulted or molested but still felt uncomfortable during their interactions. "I addressed and handled the situation when it took place, hence my regret at making it public now," Pearce noted.
Pearce expressed how hearing the allegations against Spacey during the #MeToo movement acted as a powerful wake-up call for him. "I was working in London when I heard [the reports], and I broke down and sobbed, and I couldn’t stop. I think it really dawned on me the impact of what had occurred and how I had sort of brushed it off," he admitted.
Spacey, responding to Pearce’s remarks via a video posted on X, was quick to dismiss the claims. He stated, "If I did something then to upset you, you could have reached out to me. We could have had this conversation, but instead, you’ve decided to speak to the press, who are now, of course, coming after me, because they’d like to know my response to the things you said. You really want to know my response? Grow up. You are not a victim."
Further igniting the confrontation, Spacey questioned Pearce’s motives for speaking out, asking, "Did you tell the press about flying to Georgia to spend time with me when I was filming Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil? Does this not fit your victim narrative?" Spacey concluded his rebuttal by inviting Pearce to discuss the matter face-to-face, stating, "I’m happy to do so anytime, anyplace. We can even do it here, live on X, if you like. I’ve got nothing to hide. But Guy, you need to grow up. You are not a victim."
Since the onset of the scandal surrounding Spacey, his reputation has been incredibly tarnished, affecting his career and personal life. Spacey has maintained his innocence throughout the various allegations of sexual misconduct and misconduct brought against him. He has been acquitted of several allegations, including those from actor Anthony Rapp, who accused Spacey of assaulting him when Rapp was just 14. A jury cleared Spacey of wrongdoing, and he was also acquitted by juries in the U.K. concerning accusations from multiple individuals.
What remains unsettling is the stark difference between Pearce's description of his experiences and Spacey’s firm denials. Pearce’s hesitance to label himself as a victim feels especially poignant when juxtaposed with the stark reality painted by the #MeToo movement. He emphasized, "I don’t want to use the word victim because, even though I probably was to a degree, I was certainly not to the extent of others who have faced sexual predators."
Rather than feeling like just another case of misconduct among many, this dispute feels personal, rooted not only in their time on the set of L.A. Confidential but also the reverberations of their choices and their consequences years later.
Spacey and Pearce's back-and-forth sheds light not only on their past interactions but also the broader culture of Hollywood. It raises important questions about accountability, transformation, and healing within the industry. While Spacey invites conversation, Pearce’s emotional distress over the events shows just how much trauma can linger, even after years.
Both have compelling stories, but they represent different sides of the same coin — two men whose lives intertwined through shared film work, yet have taken drastically different journeys since. The conversation they have initiated could help shine light on the significant changes still required within the industry, to truly address and rectify the troubling patterns of behavior.