New York, Oct 31 (PTI) Kevin Spacey's won't be getting anEmmy as announced earlier and his hugely successful politicaldrama "House of Cards" is also set to end with the sixthseason.
The developments come after claims by actor Anthony Rappthat Spacey had made unwanted sexual advance towards him whenhe was a minor.
"The International Academy has announced that in light ofrecent events it will not honour Kevin Spacey with the 2017International Emmy Founders Award," the International Academyof Television Arts and Sciences said in a tweet.
Though Netflix representatives told the New York Timestheir decision to end "House of Cards" -- one of the network'smost successful shows that stars Spacey as a schemingpolitician who makes it to the White House -- is unrelated tothe scandal, they said they were "deeply troubled" by theallegations against the actor.
Spacey has been criticised for trying to divert attentionfrom the accusations made by the "Star Trek: Discovery" actorby using his apology to Rapp to come out as gay. In astatement, the Oscar-winner said he did not remember theincident but it "would have been deeply inappropriate drunkenbehavior".
The streaming giant and company Media Rights Capital thatproduces the show issued a joint statement yesterday afterRapp went public with his claims that Spacey, 58, tried tosexually assault him when he was 14 in 1986.
"In response to last night's revelations, executives fromboth of our companies arrived in Baltimore this afternoon tomeet with our cast and crew to ensure that they continue tofeel safe and supported," the statement read.
They added that Spacey was "not working on set at thistime.""House of Cards" creator Beau Willimon also released astatement in support of Rapp.
"Anthony Rapp's story is deeply troubling. During thetime I worked with Kevin Spacey on House of Cards I neitherwitnessed nor was aware of any inappropriate behaviour on setor off. That said, I take reports of such behaviour seriously,and this is no exception. I feel for Mr Rapp and I support hiscourage," Willimon posted on Twitter.
Rapp, 46, had told Buzzfeed News that he attendedSpacey's party on his own after befriending the veteran actorand was the only non-adult there. After getting bored, Rappwent into a bedroom and watched TV until the early hours, whenhe realised no one else was left in the apartment.
The actor claims Spacey, who was 26 at the time, soonentered the bedroom, picked him up, and climbed on top of himin a sexual advance.
Sapcey's statement has also drawn the ire of the LGBTQcommunity, including the Gay and Lesbian Alliance AgainstDefamation (GLAAD), with activists saying his sexualorientation had nothing to do with the allegations against himand he should not have mixed the two.
"This isn't a coming out story about Spacey, but a storyof survivorship by Anthony Rapp and those who speak out aboutunwanted sexual advances," GLAAD president Sarah Kate Ellistweeted.
Celebrities were equally unsparing.
"It Gets Better" creator Dan Savage condemned Spacey,saying, "There's no amount of drunk or closeted that excusesor explains away assaulting a 14-year-old child.""Billy on the Street" host Billy Eichner tweeted, "ThatKevin Spacey statement. Nope. Absolutely not. Nope"Rose McGowan, who was one of the people to accuse HarveyWeinstein of rape, said the focus should be on the victim, notthe accused.
"Keep focus on #AnthonyRapp BE THE VICTIM'S VOICE. Helpus level the playing field," she tweeted.
Author Mark Harris said, "Coming out is a beautiful partof being gay. Attaching it to this vileness is so wrong."Actor Aimee Carrero Rock said, "Kevin Spacey sexuallyassaulting a minor has nothing to do with homosexuality. Also,someone should explain this to Kevin Spacey."Comedian Jordan Gavaris said sexual assault has nothingto do with sexuality.
"Sexual assault is not about sexuality. Sexual assault isabout power. Say it with me, please," he posted.
Actor Zachary Quinto called Spacey's apology a"calculated manipulation to deflect attention" from Rapp'saccusation and hoped the victim's voice gets support and isnot alienated.
"It is deeply sad and troubling that this is how KevinSpacey has chosen to come out. Not by standing up as a pointof pride, in the light of all his many awards andaccomplishments, thus inspiring tens of thousands ofstruggling LGBTQ kids around the world. But as a calculatedmanipulation to deflect attention from the very seriousaccusation that he attempted to molest one...
"And I am sorry that Kevin only saw fit to acknowledgehis truth when he thought it would serve him, just as hisdenial served him for so many years," he posted on Twitter.
PTI RDS BKMIN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.