Kevin Spacey was recently recognized with a lifetime achievement award in Italy and while giving his speech, he thanked organizers for having "the balls" to invite him to the ceremony.
On Monday, the actor addressed an audience in Turin at the National Museum of Cinema marking his first speaking engagement in more than five years.
The 63-year-old has spent the best part of that time battling a string of sexual assault cases made against him, with the first allegation being brought in 2017 when Anthony Rapp alleged that Spacey made sexual advances on him.
The 46-year-old Rent actor alleged in an interview with Buzzfeed that Spacey made inappropriate sexual advances on him when he was just 14 years old - something the actor has strongly denied.
Spacey maintained his innocence via a lengthy statement on Twitter, denying the claim and stating that he does not remember the encounter, but added that "if I did behave as he describes, I owe him the sincerest apology for what would have been deeply inappropriate drunken behavior, and I am sorry for the feelings he describes having carried with him all these years."
Following this first allegation, others came forward with their own claims, including of "inappropriate behavior" during his time as an artistic director at the Old Vic in London.
Last year, the former House of Cards star was charged with four counts of sexual assault in the UK, and is still set to appear on trial later this year, as per PEOPLE.
Spacey was recently awarded a lifetime achievement award by Italy’s National Museum of Cinema, where he thanked the organizers for inviting him.
"The first performance that I ever gave was in my junior high school drama class. It was a little five-minute scene that we had to create, with no words," Spacey said during his speech, as reported by Variety. "But we could have music. I was 11 years old. And I decided to do a Western scene, so that I could play a cowboy. Well, a bank robber. The bad guy, naturally."
He went on: "I have been so honored to have been part of the creative process with so many remarkable people. Filmmakers, artists and technicians I have had the chance to work with. Who would not consider tonight the perfect opportunity to say, 'Thank you!' You are not just honoring me. You are honoring all of them."
He then emphasized his gratitude towards the establishment "for having had 'Le Palle' – [which is Italian for balls] - to invite me tonight."
He then went on to thank a special friend of his, saying: "...When you have a best friend like I do in Evan Lowenstein, who is here tonight, then life can be pretty special. And working through any challenge is worth the effort. Evan has given me so much advice, counsel, perspective – professionally, yes. But more importantly, because of our friendship."
He continued speaking about Lowenstein, stating that "He is unlike anyone," before going on to add that he has "not only stood beside me. He has stood in front of me when I needed to be led and stood behind me when I needed to be shoved... He is a remarkable man and it has been his ability to take whatever setbacks we’ve faced and somehow get up and keep moving forward. And that has given me the strength to somehow stand up and follow him.
"I am truly blessed to have you as my brother. The brother I never had, so thank you."
He ended the speech by thanking the museum "for giving [him] a night [he] will never forget."
Spacey is set to stand on trial in the United Kingdom in June 2023. He has denied the allegations made against him.
