A jury has found that Kevin Spacey did not molest Anthony Rapp, who had sued claiming the actor tried to sexually abuse him when he was 14
Rapp, 50, and Spacey, 63, each gave evidence over several days at the three-week trial in New York.
The lawsuit sought $40m in damages.
An emotional Kevin Spacey says he regrets apologising to actor Anthony Rapp over claims that he made an unwanted sexual advance when Mr Rapp was 14.
Mr Rapp, now 50, sued Spacey for millions of dollars in damage in 2020 for battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress, and testified earlier this month that an intoxicated Mr Spacey — then 26 and acting on Broadway — climbed on top of him at a party at his Manhattan apartment.
Mr Spacey, 63, dabbed tears from his eyes with a tissue as he described immediate intense pressure from publicists and lawyers to respond with an apology.
“They told me I couldn’t push back on the story,” Mr Spacey said.
“I knew I wouldn’t have any sexual interest in Anthony Rapp or any child. That I knew.
“I regret my entire statement.”
At the time, with the #MeToo movement gaining momentum which Mr Spacey said contributed to fear in the entertainment world.
“The industry was very nervous. There was a lot of fear in the air about who was going to be next,” he said.
“I was shocked. I was frightened and I was confused … I knew I had never been alone with Anthony Rapp.”
