Cleared Kevin Spacey will now be able to make Hollywood comeback after dramatic fall from grace, PR expert says
CLEARED Kevin Spacey will be able to begin a long Hollywood comeback after his dramatic fall from grace, a PR expert predicts.
The double Oscar-winner’s career came crashing down six years ago after the first sexual assault allegation against him was made public.
He lost major roles — and was forced to pay bosses £25.5million when he was ditched by Netflix hit House Of Cards.
He was dumped by his talent agency and lost his assistant, agent, publicist, personal trainer and bodyguard — leaving only loyal manager Evan Lowenstein standing by him.
But Spacey, 64, never gave up hope.
And tonight, crisis communications expert Andy Barr, head of PR agency 10 Yetis, said Spacey is now on the slow road back.
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Mr Barr said: “This gives Spacey a chance, but not straight away. He needs to take some time away from the limelight, take stock of the situation and plot his return — if he even wants to.
“He will need to remember that any promotion he does for his first project back will be polluted with negative questions around this case.”
He continued: “The perception is that theatre publicity is less intense than the promotional rollercoaster that is needed to sell a film.
“He may see it as a way to dip his toe back into the acting world.”
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Mr Barr believes Spacey will first choose to do a major US interview to give his full side of the story.
He added: “The traditional crisis communications playbook would say when it comes to restoring a reputation, you pick one big ticket media outlet first with a tightly controlled and well-rehearsed interview.”
Paul Britton, founder of leading criminal defence firm , said it was likely Spacey would focus on rehabilitating his career rather than pursuing damages.
He said: “Mr Spacey could fight for damages in the civil courts but litigation is considered quite unsightly and not desirable. He would be best advised to engage in positive steps to rebuild his reputation and career rather than being embroiled in further litigation.
“The me too movement was a long time in the making, but as we have seen most recently in several criminal cases against high profile celebrities and public figures false allegations will always be unsuccessful.
“The movement should not be used as a vehicle to make money. Nor should it be used spitefully. My viewpoint is a balanced one, I can only emphasise the need for careful scrutiny and integrity in all allegations, as well as the continuing importance of due process and presumption of innocence.
“Movements like #MeToo play a crucial role in societal change, they should be approached with respect for their purpose and not be manipulated for ulterior motives.”
Spacey has previously insisted he would return to acting and has two small films slated for release next month.
In an interview in May, he said: “I know there are a lot of people right now who are ready to hire me the moment I am cleared.”
The star was born Kevin Spacey Fowler in South Orange, New Jersey, in 1959 — the youngest of three children by secretary mum Kathleen and aviation technical writer dad Thomas.
The family moved to Los Angeles when Spacey was three. He went on to attend a military academy where he began drama classes.
He landed his first film role in 1986 and hit the big time in 1995 with acclaimed performances in The Usual Suspects, for which he won his first Oscar, and thriller Se7en.
He got his second Academy Award in 2000 for American Beauty.
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Spacey took over as creative director of London’s Old Vic Theatre in 2003 and stayed for 12 years.
Among the Old Vic committee who appointed him was Sir Elton John, who gave evidence for Spacey’s defence at his trial.
Actor is latest to see CPS case fail
By Mike Sullivan, Crime Editor
SPACEY’S acquittal follows other failed high-profile prosecutions.
Ex-Man City defender Benjamin Mendy, 29, was cleared of rape in January, and of a separate rape charge last month.
Charges of attempted rape, coercive control and assault against England’s Mason Greenwood were dropped in February.
And a retrial of domestic violence charges against Man Utd legend Ryan Giggs, 49, was dropped nine days ago.
The CPS said of the Spacey case: “The function of the CPS is not to decide whether a person is guilty of a criminal offence, but to make fair, independent and objective assessments about whether it is appropriate to present charges.”