At the Better World Fund Gala during the 78th Cannes Film Festival, actor Kevin Spacey expressed gratitude for continued support and reflected on his return to public life following legal acquittals.
Cannes, France – May 20, 2025 – Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey made a rare public appearance at the Better World Fund Gala, held alongside the 78th Cannes Film Festival, where he was honoured with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to film and television.
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Once among Hollywood’s most celebrated talents, with acclaimed performances in American Beauty and The Usual Suspects, Spacey’s career was derailed after facing sexual assault allegations in 2017, leading to his exit from Netflix’s House of Cards.
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Speaking ahead of the gala at Cannes’ Carlton Hotel, Spacey said, “It’s nice to be back. I’ve heard from so many of my friends, colleagues and co-stars in the last week since this award was announced that I feel surrounded by support.” He added, “I’m glad to be working,” when asked if this marked a comeback.
The 65-year-old actor was acquitted in 2023 of nine charges in the UK relating to alleged sexual offences involving four men between 2004 and 2013. In 2022, he also won a civil trial in the U.S., where a jury found his accuser did not substantiate claims that Spacey had made an unwanted advance when the accuser was 14.
Spacey is currently helping Camelot Films promote The Awakening, a conspiracy action thriller in which he plays a lead role. Despite the Cannes honour, legal troubles persist, as he still faces civil lawsuits from three individuals in the UK over past allegations of sexual abuse.
The Better World Fund, which aims to merge cinema with humanitarian causes, has previously honoured actors such as Sharon Stone and Kevin Costner. Spacey’s recognition by the organization signals a complex moment in the industry’s ongoing conversation about accountability, forgiveness, and the limits of public redemption.
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Kevin Spacey, Cannes 2025, Better World Fund, Lifetime Achievement Award, Hollywood, Sexual Misconduct Cases, House of Cards, American Beauty, The Awakening, Film Industry News