Jon Bernthal has spoken out about his experience working on a movie where Kevin Spacey allegedly acted as a "bully" on set.
The 49-year-old actor, who worked with Spacey on the 2017 film Baby Driver, offered a rare glimpse into the former House of Cards star's behavior on set.
Bernthal recalled how his perception of the 66-year-old changed dramatically during their time together on the film.
“I had heard stories, but to me, I’m there to do a job. I’m not gonna bulls**t you, I walked onto that set and I was like, ‘I got immense respect for this guy, he’s one of my favorite actors, he’s enormously talented,’” he shared on The Jim and Sam Show.
“It didn’t take me long [to dislike him]," he added.
Jon Bernthal has spoken about his time on set with Kevin Spacey. Credit: Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty
Bernthal’s disappointment with the Oscar-winning star grew as he witnessed his actions toward others.
“Going onto that set and working with him - I wasn’t there much, and I wasn’t really in a situation to judge, but when I was there, he really rubbed me the wrong way,” Bernthal said.
“I think he was acting towards people in a way that I remember at the time thinking, ‘Man, if it was a woman he was talking to, I would have done something. I would have said something',” he added.
When asked about the nature of Spacey's behavior, the Walking Dead actor suggested it was a "combination" of sexual and aggressive conduct.
Spacey’s downfall began in 2017 after multiple men accused him of sexual misconduct. Credit: Chris J Ratcliffe / Getty
Spacey’s Downfall and Current Struggles
While Spacey’s actions on set have drawn criticism, his personal and professional downfall has been even more dramatic.
In a recent emotional interview, he revealed that he is effectively homeless, staying in Airbnbs and hotels after years of legal battles drained his finances.
“The costs over these last seven years have been astronomical,” Spacey told The Telegraph. “I’ve had very little coming in and everything going out… I literally have no home.”
Once one of Hollywood's brightest stars, Spacey’s career collapsed after multiple men accused him of sexual misconduct in 2017. His actions led to Netflix severing ties with him and removing his hit TV show, while Hollywood broadly distanced itself from the actor.
Spacey, who was acquitted in a 2023 UK trial involving four accusers, continues to struggle professionally.
“Everything is in storage, and I hope at some point, if things continue to improve, that I’ll be able to decide where I want to settle down again," he said, acknowledging that bankruptcy was once considered. “It was discussed, but it never got to that point.”
The actor also revealed that his home in Baltimore was being sold at auction due to financial hardship during an emotional interview with Piers Morgan. “This week… my house is being sold at auction. So I have to go back to Baltimore and put all my things in storage,” he shared.
He attributed the loss of his home to the millions of dollars in outstanding bills he was unable to pay.
Despite his dire circumstances, the fallen star remains hopeful about the possibility of rebuilding his life through future work opportunities.