Kevin Spacey Diagnosed With ‘Sexual Compulsive Behavior’ During Trial Testimony
Kevin Spacey, once a dominant force in Hollywood, testified Tuesday in a California civil trial, acknowledging a 2017 diagnosis of “sexual compulsive behavior.” The revelation came during questioning related to a $100 million case stemming from the fallout of allegations of misconduct that abruptly halted production on the final season of Netflix’s House of Cards.
The actor, who voluntarily entered an inpatient treatment program at The Meadows in Arizona following a wave of accusations, read aloud from a psychiatric summary detailing the diagnosis: “Other specified obsessive and related behaviors, sexual compulsive behavior, generalized anxiety disorder.” He confirmed he had no medical basis to challenge the diagnoses. The testimony is central to a dispute between MRC, the production company behind House of Cards, and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Company over insurance coverage for the show’s disrupted production.
The Core of the Dispute: Illness vs. Allegations
The insurance company argues that its policy only covers losses resulting from a medically verified, incapacitating illness. They contend that MRC paused production not due to a qualifying medical condition, but because of the public relations crisis triggered by the allegations against Spacey. Fireman’s Fund maintains that MRC simply didn’t invite Spacey back after the initial suspension in October 2017. MRC, though, is seeking to recoup losses associated with rewriting and reshooting the sixth and final season of the series, a significant undertaking necessitated by Spacey’s removal.
Spacey’s testimony aimed to establish that he *did* have a medical issue requiring treatment, even after his discharge from The Meadows. His lawyer, Adam Ziffer, focused on the initial reasons Spacey sought treatment, with Spacey stating he was attempting to address a personal crisis and “figure out where I had gotten it wrong.”
A History of Allegations and Legal Battles
The current trial is just the latest chapter in a complex legal saga that began in 2017. The initial allegations surfaced when actor Anthony Rapp accused Spacey of making a sexual advance when Rapp was 14 years old. Shortly after, CNN reported allegations from eight anonymous House of Cards crew members detailing instances of alleged predatory behavior, including unwanted physical contact.
Spacey faced both civil and criminal proceedings. In 2022, a jury found him not liable in a civil trial brought by Rapp in Manhattan federal court. In 2023, he was acquitted of sexual assault charges in London related to allegations from four men. However, an arbitrator later found Spacey liable for a $31 million payment to MRC, a decision upheld by an appellate panel. Spacey ultimately settled with MRC for $1 million in exchange for providing medical records and agreeing to testify in the current insurance lawsuit.
Discrepancies in Medical Records
During Tuesday’s testimony, Spacey expressed frustration with notes contained within his medical records from The Meadows. He disputed several assertions made by his doctors, including one notation stating he identified “touching in public without permission” as a “problem behavior.” “I can tell you that throughout the medical records, there are comments attributed to me I never said,” he testified, his voice reportedly rising. He pointed to inaccuracies, such as doctors’ notes suggesting he had a British accent or a wife, despite being openly gay, and unmarried. “They have an idea that I had a British accent, that I have a wife,” he said. “They’re dealing with 29 other men. I have no idea how they take notes. I’m simply saying that’s not something I said because that’s not something I did.”
The Impact on House of Cards and Beyond
The allegations against Spacey and the subsequent fallout dramatically reshaped the final season of House of Cards. The show, previously built around his character, President Frank Underwood, was forced to undergo significant rewrites, ultimately sidelining Underwood and focusing on other characters. The disruption caused substantial financial losses for MRC, which is the basis of the current insurance claim. The case has garnered attention for its potential to redefine Hollywood’s approach to insurance coverage in cases involving alleged misconduct and its impact on production.
Spacey’s testimony likewise touched on his feelings about the allegations themselves. He described them as “frightening” but maintained his innocence, stating he sought treatment to understand what had happened and prevent similar situations in the future. He also defended his legal victories, stating he was “enormously happy” to have had the opportunity to defend himself in court and be found not guilty.
What’s Next?
The trial is expected to continue with further testimony and evidence presentation. The ultimate decision will hinge on whether the court determines that Spacey’s medical condition, as diagnosed in 2017, qualifies as an illness covered under the insurance policy, or whether the production halt was solely a result of the allegations and their impact on his employment. The outcome could have significant implications for how insurance companies handle similar cases in the future, potentially setting a precedent for coverage related to misconduct allegations in the entertainment industry.