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June 5, 2024 • 0min
#432 – Kevin Spacey: Power, Controversy, Betrayal, Truth & Love in Film and Life
Lex Fridman Podcast
Kevin Spacey is a two-time Oscar-winning actor known for his performances in films like Seven, The Usual Suspects, American Beauty, and the TV series House of Cards. In this wide-ranging conversation with Lex Fridman, Spacey discusses his acting career, creative process, and some of the controversies that have impacted his life and career in recent years. He reflects on working with acclaimed directors, his relationships with mentors and co-stars, and provides insights into some of his most famous roles. Spacey also addresses the sexual misconduct allegations against him and discusses his hopes for the future.
#432 – Kevin Spacey: Power, Controversy, Betrayal, Truth & Love in Film and Life
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Key Takeaways
- Kevin Spacey discusses his iconic roles in films like Seven, American Beauty, and House of Cards, providing insights into his acting process and working with directors like David Fincher and Sam Mendes
- He reflects on his relationship with mentor Jack Lemmon and other influential figures in his career like Mike Nichols
- Spacey addresses the sexual misconduct allegations against him, maintaining his innocence of criminal wrongdoing while acknowledging past inappropriate behavior
- He discusses the challenges of keeping his sexuality private for much of his career and his regrets about how he came out publicly
- Spacey shares personal stories about his difficult relationship with his father and how it impacted him
- He expresses hope for forgiveness and a path to redemption in the entertainment industry
Introduction
Kevin Spacey is a two-time Oscar-winning actor known for his performances in films like Seven, The Usual Suspects, American Beauty, and the TV series House of Cards. In this wide-ranging conversation with Lex Fridman, Spacey discusses his acting career, creative process, and some of the controversies that have impacted his life and career in recent years. He reflects on working with acclaimed directors, his relationships with mentors and co-stars, and provides insights into some of his most famous roles. Spacey also addresses the sexual misconduct allegations against him and discusses his hopes for the future.
Topics Discussed
Seven and Working with David Fincher (10:14)
Spacey discusses landing the role of John Doe in David Fincher's Seven after initially not getting the part. He explains his decision to not take billing in the film to preserve the surprise of his character's reveal:
- Spacey felt it would be better if he didn't take billing to avoid spoiling his character's identity
- The studio initially resisted but Fincher supported the idea
- They compromised by having Spacey be the first credit at the end of the film
On working with Fincher, Spacey says:
"David just kept saying, less, do less. And I just tried to. I mean, he. I remember he kept saying to me, remember, you're in control, like, you're going to win. And knowing that should allow you to have tremendous confidence. And I just followed that lead."
American Beauty and Sam Mendes (57:25)
Spacey provides insights into his Oscar-winning role as Lester Burnham in American Beauty and working with first-time film director Sam Mendes:
- Mendes applied theatrical techniques to the film process, like extensive rehearsals
- They used subtle techniques like different wigs and makeup to show Lester's gradual transformation
- Spacey recorded the voiceover narration in one take in a hallway, which Mendes felt captured the right tone
On the film's themes, Spacey says:
"I think that the honesty with which it dealt with those issues that those teenagers were going through and the honesty with which it dealt with what Lester was going through, I think are some of the reasons why the film had the response that it did from so many people."
House of Cards and Frank Underwood (1:38:19)
Spacey discusses playing Frank Underwood on House of Cards and how he approached the character:
- He drew on his experience doing direct address to the audience in Shakespeare's Richard III
- Spacey saw Frank as a "behavioral psychologist" who could predict and manipulate people's reactions
- He resisted judging the character's morality, focusing instead on playing him truthfully
On Frank's motivations, Spacey says:
"I think power is a. Is an afterthought. What he loved more than anything was being able to predict how human beings would react. He was a behavioral psychologist, and he could know, like, he was 17 moves ahead in the chess game."
Relationship with Jack Lemmon (48:07)
Spacey reflects on his close relationship with actor Jack Lemmon, who became a mentor and father figure:
- They first met when Spacey was 13 at an acting workshop
- Lemmon encouraged Spacey to pursue acting as a career
- They went on to work together multiple times, including on the film Glengarry Glen Ross
Spacey says of Lemmon's influence:
"We used to joke that if every contract came with a Jack Lemmon clause, it would be a more beautiful world."
Sexual Misconduct Allegations (1:20:22)
Spacey addresses the sexual misconduct allegations that led to him being "canceled" in recent years:
- He maintains his innocence of criminal wrongdoing, noting he was acquitted in trials
- Acknowledges past inappropriate behavior: "I crossed some boundaries and I did some things that were wrong"
- Expresses regret for hurting people and says he's worked to change his behavior
On taking responsibility, Spacey says:
"I have had to recognize that I crossed some boundaries and I did some things that were wrong, and I made some mistakes, and that's in my past. I mean, I've been working so hard over these last seven years to have the conversations I needed to have, to listen to people, to understand things from a different perspective than the one that I had, and to say, I will never behave that way again for the rest of my life."
Coming Out and Sexuality (1:32:53)
Spacey discusses keeping his sexuality private for much of his career and his regrets about how he came out publicly:
- Wishes he had found "the right moment of celebration" to share his sexuality earlier
- Regrets coming out in the same statement addressing initial misconduct allegations
- Believes being open about his sexuality has positively impacted his work as an actor
On the impact of coming out, Spacey says:
"I absolutely believe that that is what my experience has been and will continue to be. I am sorry about the way I came out, but Evan and I had already had the conversation. I had already decided to come out."
Relationship with Father (2:12:38)
Spacey shares personal stories about his difficult relationship with his father:
- His father became a white supremacist later in life, espousing hateful views
- Spacey was afraid to bring friends home due to his father's beliefs
- He has worked to forgive his father and understand the man he was earlier in life
Reflecting on his father, Spacey says:
"I've had to reconcile who he became, because the gap between that man who was in the US army as a medic and the man he became, I could never fill that gap. But I've forgiven him."
Legacy and Future (2:21:30)
Spacey discusses his hopes for the future and potential legacy:
- Believes his best performances are still ahead of him
- Expresses hope for forgiveness and a path to redemption in the entertainment industry
- Wants to continue challenging himself and learning as an actor
On his future in acting, Spacey says:
"People ask me now, what's your favorite performance you've ever given? And my answer is, I haven't given it yet. So there's a lot more that I want to be challenged by, be inspired by."
Conclusion
This wide-ranging conversation provides insights into Kevin Spacey's acclaimed acting career, creative process, and personal life. He reflects candidly on some of his most famous roles and collaborations while also addressing the controversies that have impacted his career in recent years. Spacey expresses regret for past behavior while maintaining his innocence of criminal wrongdoing. He discusses his hopes for forgiveness and a return to acting, believing his best performances may still be ahead of him. The interview offers a complex portrait of a talented but controversial figure working to reconcile his past and chart a path forward.