VALERY HACHE/AFP via Getty Kevin Spacey returned to the spotlight to accept an award from the Better World Fund in Cannes, France on May 20 The actor has been cleared of sexual misconduct charges in U.S. and U.K. cases in recent years He told reporters he is "more forgiving than I ever have been in my life" now after "these last few challenging years" Kevin Spaceyreturned to the spotlight to accept a lifetime achievement award at an event in Cannes, France. The two-time Oscar winner, now 65, was fired from the Netflix seriesHouse of Cardsin 2017 when he was first accused of sexual misconduct, which he denied. Since then, Spacey has been cleared of sexual abuse charges in New York in 2022 and of sexual assault claims in a 2023 London case. On Tuesday, May 20, Spacey was given a lifetime achievement award by the Better World Fund, taking the stage to speak to attendees during the ceremony, which was not an official event of the currently underwayCannes Film Festival. Varietyreportedthat Spacey said during his nearly 10-minute acceptance speech that he has "come out the other side of these last few challenging years not angry, not bitter, not resentful, but more present, more loving, more understanding and more forgiving than I ever have been in my life." Pascal Le Segretain/Getty The actor also acknowledged the Better World Fund's "risks" in awarding him amid his controversies, per the outlet: "Who would have ever thought that honoring someone who has been exonerated in every single courtroom he's ever walked into would be thought of as a brave idea." (In February 2025,another sexual abuse civil lawsuit was broughtforth against Spacey in London.) According to AFP, Spacey told reporters before receiving the award, "I feel surrounded by so much affection and love. I've heard from so many of my friends and colleagues and costars in the last week since this award was announced. It's very nice to be back." Spacey is attached to the upcoming thrillerThe Awakening, which is looking for buyers at the Cannes Film Festival. "I'm glad to be working, I'll tell you that," he said, per AFP. Pascal Le Segretain/Getty The actor concluded his acceptance speech, according toVariety, by quoting "my friend Elton John" and saying, "The reason that this means so much to me is because I'm still standing. I'm still standing." John, 78,testified in Spacey's 2023 U.K. trialand they'vebeen spotted out for dinner together. Several Hollywood stars have spoken out in support of Spacey returning to the movie business, including Sharon Stone, who was also honored by the Better World Fund during the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. Stone, 67, previously said that "after being in therapy for seven years, not being allowed to work, losing his home, losing everything, [Spacey] should be allowed to come back." The actress added that she herself has "been canceled left and right" but she's now "back in fashion again." The PEOPLE Appis now available in the Apple App Store! Download it now for the most binge-worthy celeb content, exclusive video clips, astrology updates and more! Liam Neesonhas said"our industry needs [Spacey] and misses him greatly," and Brian Cox said in December 2024, "Idon't think he should be punished endlessly for it. There should be a case of forgive and forget. Let's move on. I think he should be given the opportunity to come back to work." Rentactor Anthony Rapp — who alleged that Spacey molested him when he was 14, in the Manhattan civil case where Spacey was found not liable — said during a public appearance in November 2022 that he understands why many victims don't seek legal action against perpetrators. "What is proof? How do you prove things? Part of the movement is so much about honoring a story, listening, being a mirror ... healing. You speak about these things. Those things aren't necessarily anything that a courtroom is at all interested in," the actor, 53, said at the time, perVariety. In a May 2024 interview, Spacey spoke out aboutfresh sexual abuse and harassment allegations that were to be aired outin a Channel 4 documentary, saying, "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," according toNBC News. He alsoslammed the documentary as "one-sided" and a "desperate attempt for ratings." Read the original article onPeople
