Actor Anthony Rapp was back on the stand for the $40 million sexual misconduct trial of Kevin Spacey. The trial began October 6 in New York City, but Rapp sued Spacey back in 2020 for assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress stemming from a 1986 incident. Rapp detailed that occurrence for the jury last week, claiming that Spacey took him to his apartment after a party and climbed on top of him while the two were alone. Rapp stated that he managed to escape Spacey’s grasp and hid in the bathroom before exiting the apartment while Spacey questioned if the then teenager was sure he wanted to leave.

While watching 1988’s Working Girl, Rapp was surprised to see his assailant on-screen, telling the court:

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This didn’t stop the Star Trek: Discovery actor from watching Spacey’s future films. On the stand he mentioned watching The Usual Suspects, Glengarry Glen Ross, L.A. Confidential and Seven, because he felt it was part of his job, as an actor, to see them. This changed with American Beauty, and that became the last film of Spacey’s he would watch. In the film, which earned Spacey his second Academy Award, he portrays Lester Burnham, a married father involved in a sexual relationship with his daughter’s best friend, a teen girl. For Rapp, that hit too close to home and proved to “difficult” and “unpleasantly familiar.”

“Kevin Spacey came on the screen, and it was as if someone had poked me with a cattle prod. I felt like I jumped out of my seat."

Rapp Speaks Up Against Spacey

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Rapp’s claims became public in October 2017 following the rise of the #MeToo Movement. After reading Lupita Nyong’o’s New York Times op-ed about Harvey Weinstein, Rapp was inspired to share his story:

At the time, Rapp reached out to Adam Vary, a friend that worked at BuzzFeed, and shared his traumatic experience. The piece was published without Rapp’s name.

“I identified and resonated with her and other stories of shining a spotlight where there had been darkness before."

Other allegations against the actor have made headlines, and another of his accusers also took the stand last week. Andy Holtzmann is accusing Spacey of sexual misconduct and impropriety. Holtzmann’s incident dates back to 1981, when he claims that Spacey groped and grinded against him backstage at the New York Shakespeare Festival Public Theater. Spacey also faces trial in the UK for alleged sexual assault, with a trial scheduled to begin June 6, 2023.

Spacey has denied any wrongdoing. He is expected to take the stand later this week. Spacey’s camp argues that Rapp’s allegations stem from jealousy and not truth: claiming that Rapp’s decision to disclose his sexual preference has limited his work.

Rapp is known for his work in theater, including the Broadway productions Rent and If/Then. He currently plays Lieutenant Commander Paul Stamets on Star Trek: Discovery.