Kevin Spacey’s star on Hollywood Walk of Fame, Author Mike Crawley of Southampton, UK (CC Attribution 2.0 Generic)
Actor Kevin Spacey — the star of such acclaimed films as LA Confidential, The Usual Suspects, Glengary Glenn Ross, Seven, and Pay It Forward — is not the first celebrity to be accused of sexual assault.
Combs Lawsuits
Five separate lawsuits covering a period of 30 years have been brought by male and female victims (some of them teens) against the rapper and record producer, Sean “Diddy” Combs, for alleged sexual assault, rape, and sex trafficking [1].
Like Spacey, Combs denies the allegations against him. However, a disturbing 2016 video on YouTube shows him physically assaulting the R&B singer, Cassie Ventura, whose case was settled in 2023 [2].
Spacey Acquittals
Spacey, it should be noted, was the same year acquitted in Britain of sexual assault relative to his interaction with four different men between 2001 and 2013 [3]. A New York jury earlier acquitted Spacey of molesting then 14 y.o. Anthony Rapp in 1986 [4].
More Spacey Accusers
“I take full responsibility for my past behavior and my actions, but I cannot and will not take responsibility or apologize to anyone who’s made up stuff about me or exaggerated stories about me…I never told someone that if they give me sexual favors, then I will help them out with their career, never.”
–Kevin Spacey [5]
A 2-part documentary on YouTube now features ten more men who claim to have been sexually assaulted by Spacey between 1976 and 2013 [6][7]. The stories by these men are nauseatingly familiar, reflecting an abuse of power as much as sexual predation.
The emotions mentioned again and again by the men are confusion, shock, guilt, shame, anger, and betrayal. Those are not unlike the emotions experienced by women in similar circumstances.
It is almost impossible to assess the stories presented in this documentary. We do not know whether they are scripted/coordinated/rehearsed fiction or excruciatingly painful accounts of real events.
What is clear is that celebrity status is a position of power. That creates the opportunity for abuse [8].
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[1] CNN, “A closer look at the sexual misconduct lawsuits against Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs” by Eric Levenson and Nicki Brown, 5/17/24, https://www.cnn.com/2024/03/31/entertainment/sean-diddy-combs-lawsuits/index.html.
[2] YouTube, “Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs seen on video assaulting Cassie Ventura in 2016, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ti0hUQPy5U.
[3] National Public Radio (NPR), “Kevin Spacey is acquitted in the UK of sexual abuse charges” by Fatima Al-Kassab and Lauren Frayer, 7/26/23, https://www.npr.org/2023/07/26/1190185518/kevin-spacey-sexual-assault-trial-verdict-london.
[4] National Public Radio (NPR), “A jury finds that Kevin Spacey didn’t molest actor Anthony Rapp in 1986” by the Associated Press, 10/20/22, https://www.npr.org/2022/10/20/1130332451/kevin-spacey-anthony-rapp-verdict.
[5] Huffington Post, “Kevin Spacey Responds to Misconduct Allegations in New Documentary” by the Associated Press, 5/6/24, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/kevin-spacey-denies-new-allegations-spacey-unmasked_n_66391207e4b001bbb5107034.
[6] YouTube, Spacey Unmasked, Episode 1 of 2, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OhSwDTJf3Q.
[7] YouTube, Spacey Unmasked, Episode 2 of 2, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY93s37fVU8.
[8] Since sycophants are numerous in the entertainment industry, enabling cannot be ruled out, especially when abuse is alleged to have taken place for decades.
After this post was published, Sean Combs was arrested in New York on September 16, 2024 for racketeering/conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation for the purpose of prostitution. Texas attorney Tony Buzbee is said to represent 120 of Combs’ victims, spanning 30 years. California attorney Andrew van Arsdale is said to represent another 293, both men and women.
See, https://www.cnn.com/2024/9/18/entertainment/sean-diddy-combs-legal-allegations-timeline/index.html and https://abc.com/news/b0b01731-4632-4c78-96f2-ed046f0f1f1e/category/1138628.
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ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse and More 
There is way more of this going on than we know of, I think, I really do believe that this is a widespread problem! Xo
I agree with your premise Anna, that with positions of power and authority come opportunities to abuse others.
All of which proves that while some men may hold a title or position and be applauded by millions, they are nothing more than immature humans lacking the critical component of self control.
Which, in my out-dated way of thinking, proves they are not really men after all.
As you say, Ron, violence is not the mark of a man. It is the product of sin.