Kevin Spacey Receives Italian Honor, Praises Franco Nero for Guts in Casting Him
Kevin Spacey, a two-time Oscar Best Actor winner, picked up a Maximo Excellent award at the inaugural Italian Global Series Festival (IGSF) last night, continuing his comeback. The Se7en actor walked the red carpet in Riccione, Italy, and was met with applause before later taking to the stage to collect the prize.
During his acceptance speech, Spacey praised Italian actor-director Franco Nero, who cast him in the 2021 film L’uomo Che Disegno Dio (The Man Who Drew God). He appeared to take a thinly-veiled pop-shot at Hollywood, which has almost completely shunned him since legal issues overtook his acting career.
Spacey said Nero had “stepped up to cast me a few years ago when very few had the guts, and I thank him for that.” The award was the second Italy’s cultural sector has issued him in the past year, coming after he was given the Nations Award for Lifetime Achievement in Taormina in July.
Spacey’s career has been dogged by legal issues of late, derailing his Hollywood career. He was acquitted of the sexual assault of four men in the UK two years ago and was found not liable in a civil case actor Anthony Rapp brought in the U.S. He is now facing a new suit from another actor, Ruari Cannon, in the UK, who also contributed to a 2024 documentary about Spacey on Channel 4 and Investigation Discovery. Spacey has previously denied these claims, labelling them “anonymised and non-specific” while criticizing the documentary for not giving him and his people enough time to respond.
Despite these challenges, the Italian Global Series Festival has become the latest organization to fete the actor. Spacey hasn’t acted in a TV show since losing his role in Netflix’s House of Cards, but was still selected by the IGSF.
“This award tonight means a lot to me because Italy holds a special place in my heart,” said Spacey. “I love coming to this country, whether just to visit or I have a job. I’ve shot many films in Italy.”
Spacey wrapped his speech by referencing John Doe, the serial killer he played in Se7en. “As I say to Brad Pitt and Morgan Freeman when asked, ‘Where are we headed?’ I simply respond with, ‘You’ll see.'”
He received his award alongside British actress Adjoa Andoh, who just wrapped filming on Bridgerton Season 4, and Özge Gürel, the Turkish actress who has starred in the likes of Sipahi and Siyah Bere. The Italian Global Series Festival runs through Saturday (June 28) on the Adriatic Sea in northern Italy. The likes of Mark Gatiss, Stephen Moffat and Sue Vertue will be in attendance over coming days. Spacey is also due to appear at a press conference tomorrow.
