Brian Cox Defends Kevin Spacey, Calling His Downfall “Petty” and “Not Right”
Brian Cox, the acclaimed star of Succession, has publicly voiced his support for his “old friend,” Kevin Spacey, arguing that the once-celebrated actor’s career implosion was unjust. Spacey, 65, faced widespread ostracization in Hollywood after actor Anthony Rapp’s 2017 accusations of sexual abuse, stemming from an alleged incident in 1986 when Rapp was 14 and Spacey was 26. While Rapp’s claims were later dismissed in court, other allegations of misconduct followed, which Spacey has consistently denied or characterized as consensual.
A Bond Forged in Iron Will
Cox, who shared the screen with Spacey in the 1994 film Iron Will, addressed the controversy surrounding his former co-star in a recent interview with the i. “Kevin is an old friend of mine,” Cox stated. Acknowledging Spacey’s past behavior, the 78-year-old Emmy winner admitted, “We all used to worry about Kevin.” However, he strongly disagreed with the severity of the consequences.
“Extraordinary Work” Overshadowed by Controversy
“You don’t destroy a man’s career because of what he’s…,” Cox asserted, his voice trailing off. He emphasized Spacey’s “extraordinary work” and criticized the reaction to the allegations as “petty,” “sneaky,” and “not right.” Cox clarified that he “never found Kevin Spacey abusive.” He suggested that Spacey’s actions stemmed from his struggles with his own sexuality, adding, “He was misguided, certainly, in terms of his sexuality, but that’s to do with him coming to terms with his own sexuality and how he’s dealt with that, and the dilemma that it’s caused in his life. And I think that one is to try to understand where he’s coming from, and what that’s about.”
A Stance Against “Cancel Culture”
Spacey’s 2017 coming-out statement, issued in response to Rapp’s accusations, was criticized by some as an attempt to deflect attention from the allegations. Cox also took aim at what he perceives as the damaging effects of “cancel culture,” asking, “What do you mean ‘canceled?’ How dare you cancel anybody?” He joins other prominent figures like Sharon Stone and Liam Neeson who have advocated for Spacey’s return to acting.
Legal Battles and Lingering Accusations
In 2023, Spacey was acquitted of sexual assault charges in the UK brought by four men relating to incidents between 2001 and 2013. However, the legal battles continue. Earlier this week, a new lawsuit was filed against Spacey and organizations linked to London’s Old Vic Theatre by Ruari Cannon, alleging sexual abuse. Details of these latest claims remain undisclosed.
