Kevin Spacey practically disappeared from Hollywood after being publicly accused of sexual misconduct in 2017. But in each of the past three years, the Oscar-winning actor has returned to the public eye with videos uploaded to his YouTube channel on Christmas Eve .
In the most recent video, uploaded on Thursday and titled “1-800 XMAS”, Spacey goes directly to the camera and supports people who are fighting or thinking about suicide this holiday.
“If you are standing in a place where you can no longer stand, if you are suffering, if you need help, if you feel guilty or ashamed, if you are struggling with your identity, if you are against the wall, or if you feel that you are not there is a way for you, whatever your situation, I promise there is a way, ”said Spacey.
“Right now, during this holiday and afterwards, even if you don’t feel it, there are people out there who understand and can help, because you are not alone,” added Spacey.
The new video is a departure from the first two messages from Spacey’s Christmas Eve.
In these cryptic videos, Spacey portrayed his “House of Cards” character Frank Underwood, a villainous politician who speaks with a southern accent. In the new video, Spacey, 61, takes what could be described as a more serious tone and speaks in his own voice.
He seems to allude to the allegations of sexual assault that were brought against him, claiming that many people came to him this year to share his difficult experiences.
“My ability to be there for them was really only possible because of my own difficulties,” said Spacey. “And while it has been a privilege to offer support, I must say, frankly, that it is also beyond my abilities. It is bigger than me. “
Spacey was publicly accused of sexual misconduct for the first time in 2017 by actor Anthony Rapp.
Rapp, who starred in “Rent” on Broadway and appeared in the movie “Dazed and Confused”, said in an interview with BuzzFeed that Spacey climbed on top of him in a room at a 1986 party, when Rapp was 14 (Spacey would have been 26 or 27 in 1986.)
Spacey, best known for his roles in “The Usual Suspects” and “American Beauty”, said in a statement at the time that he did not remember the alleged incident. But he apologized for “what would have been profoundly inappropriate drunken behavior”.
He has since faced other charges of sexual misconduct, which has led to investigations in London and Los Angeles. Los Angeles prosecutors rejected a sexual assault case against the actor because the accuser died, the Associated Press reported in October 2019. Spacey’s lawyers denied any wrongdoing in that case.
NBC News contacted the actor’s representatives for comment on Thursday.
Spacey is one of several prominent men in entertainment whose career was effectively ended on charges of sexual misconduct, partly fueled by the #MeToo movement. He was fired from “House of Cards” and has not been cast in a film or television show since 2017.
If you or someone you know is in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255, send the text message HOME to 741741 or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.
