Guy Pearce Opens Up About Being “Targeted” by Kevin Spacey on the Set of L.A. Confidential

In a candid and emotional interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, Academy Award-nominated actor Guy Pearce revealed disturbing details about his experiences working with Kevin Spacey on the set of the 1997 neo-noir classic L.A. Confidential. But what exactly happened between the two actors during those five months of filming? And how did it shape Pearce’s perspective on power, vulnerability, and accountability in Hollywood? The answers might surprise you. Keep reading to uncover the untold story behind one of cinema’s most iconic films.

A Young Actor’s Struggle

At the time of filming L.A. Confidential, Guy Pearce played the ambitious detective Ed Exley, while Kevin Spacey portrayed fellow officer Jack Vincennes. Pearce, who then was 29 years old and still early in his Hollywood career, is currently receiving critical acclaim for his role in The Brutalist. He described feeling “targeted” by Spacey during the five-month production, an experience that left him feeling “uncomfortable” and “scared”. He recalled how Spacey’s aggressive behavior toward him began almost immediately.

“He’s extremely charming and brilliant at what he does—really impressive, etc. He holds a room remarkably. But I was young and susceptible, and he targeted me, no question,” Pearce said.

Pearce admitted that he spent months brushing off Spacey’s advances, convincing himself that it was “nothing”. However, the constant pressure took a toll. “I did that for five months, and really I was sort of scared of Kevin because he’s quite an aggressive man,” he shared.

Feeling Safe Only When Others Were Around

Pearce revealed that he only felt safe on set when fellow actor Simon Baker was present. “The only days I feel safe are the days when [Simon Baker] is on set because I’m dumped like a hot potato, and [Kevin] focuses on [Simon] because he was ten times prettier than I am,” Pearce told his then-wife Kate Mestitz at the time.

Despite the discomfort, Pearce initially downplayed the situation, shelving it in his mind. It wasn’t until years later, when allegations against Spacey began to surface, that Pearce fully processed the impact of what he had endured.

Kevin Spacey’s Sexual Misconduct

In 2017, as the #MeToo movement gained momentum, actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making sexual advances toward him when he was just 14 years old. This revelation, along with subsequent allegations against Spacey, served as a wake-up call for Pearce.

“I was in London working on something, and I heard [the reports], and I broke down and sobbed, and I couldn’t stop,” Pearce recalled. “I think it really dawned on me the impact that had occurred and how I sort of brushed it off and how I had either shelved it or blocked it out or whatever.”

Pearce emphasized that while he was not sexually assaulted or molested, he was made to feel deeply uncomfortable by Spacey’s behavior. “I very much understand that it’s too sensitive a topic to be brushed off. Although I wasn’t sexually assaulted or molested, I was made to feel uncomfortable. I addressed and handled the situation when it took place, hence my regret at making it public now,” he said in a follow-up statement to a 2018 interview where he referred to Spacey as “a handsy guy.”

Ugly Confrontations and Moving Forward

Pearce also revealed that he has had several “ugly confrontations” with Spacey since their time on L.A. Confidential, though he did not provide specific details about when or where these occurred.

While Pearce has been hesitant to center himself in discussions about Spacey’s misconduct, he made it clear that he does not want Spacey to escape accountability. “I don’t want him to get away with what he gets away with,” Pearce said.

Spacey’s Legal Battles and Fall from Grace

Kevin Spacey’s career has been in freefall since the allegations against him first emerged. In 2023, a British jury acquitted him of all nine charges of sexual assault, and he was found not liable in a lawsuit filed by Anthony Rapp. Despite these legal victories, Spacey remains persona non grata in Hollywood. He was dropped from major projects, including House of Cards and All the Money in the World, where his role was recast with Christopher Plummer.

Pearce’s Continued Success

Meanwhile, Guy Pearce has continued to build an impressive career, earning critical acclaim for his roles in films like Memento, The Hurt Locker, and The King’s Speech. His latest performance in The Brutalist has garnered him his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

Reflecting on his career and the challenges he has faced, Pearce remains focused on honesty and authenticity. “I just try to be more honest about it now and call it for what it is,” he said.

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