Guy Pearce is finally opening up about something that’s clearly been weighing on him for a long time. In a new, deeply emotional interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s Awards Chatter podcast, Pearce got visibly choked up recalling his experiences working with Kevin Spacey on L.A. Confidential—a film that remains a classic in the neo-noir genre but now holds some complicated memories for him.
This isn’t the first time Pearce has alluded to the discomfort he felt on set back in 1997. In a 2018 interview, he casually referred to Spacey as “a handsy guy” but later walked that comment back, realizing the gravity of the situation. Now, though, he’s telling his story more fully, and it’s clear that those experiences had a lasting impact on him.
A Long-Held Burden Resurfaces
During the conversation with THR’s Scott Feinberg, Pearce reflected on how he initially brushed off Spacey’s behavior. “Ah, that’s nothing,” he would tell himself repeatedly over the five months of filming. But the reality was, he wasn’t comfortable, and he was scared. “I did that for five months, and really, I was sort of scared of Kevin because he’s quite an aggressive man.”
Pearce described Spacey as “extremely charming” and “brilliant at what he does,” but also someone who “holds a room remarkably” in a way that felt intimidating at times. And while he emphasizes that he was never sexually assaulted or molested, Spacey’s advances and attention made him feel deeply uneasy.
One of the most striking details Pearce shared was how he felt a sense of relief on set only when fellow actor Simon Baker was around. “The only days I feel safe are the days when Simon is on set because I’m dumped like a hot potato, and [Kevin] focuses on [Simon] because he was ten times prettier than I am.” That line alone speaks volumes about what Pearce endured during filming.
The Wake-Up Call That Led to Tears
For decades, Pearce pushed those memories aside, rationalizing that they weren’t as bad as what others had suffered. But everything changed in 2017 when the #MeToo movement erupted, and actor Anthony Rapp publicly accused Spacey of making sexual advances toward him when he was just 14 years old.
Pearce was in London at the time when he read the headlines—and suddenly, the floodgates opened. “I heard [the reports] and I broke down and sobbed, and I couldn’t stop,” he admitted. “I think it really dawned on me the impact that had occurred and how I had either shelved it or blocked it out.”
That moment became a profound wake-up call for him, forcing him to acknowledge just how much that experience had affected him. Even after all these years, the weight of what happened—of brushing things aside and dismissing his own feelings—still lingered.
Facing Spacey Again
Pearce also revealed that he has had “a couple of confrontations” with Spacey over the years, and they didn’t go well. “They got ugly,” he said, without diving into specifics. The tension clearly still exists, and it’s something Pearce has had to navigate in his own way.
Looking back, he finds himself in a complicated position. On one hand, he doesn’t necessarily want to focus on his personal experience with Spacey. But on the other, he doesn’t want to let him get away with what he’s done to people.
“I just try to be more honest about it now and call it for what it is.”
The Timing Feels Ironic
Perhaps what makes this moment of reflection even more striking is the fact that Pearce’s latest film, The Brutalist, features him in a role that eerily echoes some of the very themes he’s speaking out about. In the A24 film—which has garnered ten Oscar nominations—Pearce plays Harrison Lee Van Buren Sr., a wealthy industrialist who sexually assaults a central male character.
It’s a tough role, and one that Pearce has likely approached with layers of personal understanding, given everything he’s now acknowledging about his past.
Moving Forward with Honesty
Pearce has always been a respected actor, from his early days on Australian soaps like Neighbours to his breakout roles in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert and Memento. His career has been defined by bold choices and complex characters, and his latest Oscar nomination is proof that he’s still at the top of his game.
But this latest interview shows us another side of him—one that is vulnerable, introspective, and willing to speak openly about difficult experiences.
It’s clear that Pearce is still processing the full impact of what happened to him during L.A. Confidential. And while he may not see himself as a victim in the same way others have been, his story is an important reminder that power dynamics in Hollywood have long created uncomfortable and damaging environments for those who simply want to do their jobs.
For Pearce, the best way forward is honesty. And by speaking up now, even decades later, he’s helping ensure that those stories aren’t swept under the rug anymore.
