Kevin Spacey Fowler, also known as Kevin Spacey, is a renowned American actor, film director, producer, screenwriter, and singer. He began his career as a stage actor in the 1980s, eventually transitioning to film and television.
Spacey gained critical acclaim in the early 1990s, earning his first Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in the neo-noir crime thriller The Usual Suspects (1995). He also won an Academy Award for Best Actor for his performance in the midlife crisis-themed drama American Beauty (1999).
Throughout his career, Spacey has appeared in a wide range of films, including the comedy-drama Swimming with Sharks (1994),the psychological thriller Seven (1995),the neo-noir crime film L.A. Confidential (1997),the drama Pay It Forward (2000),and the science fiction-mystery film K-PAX (2001).
In addition to his film work, Spacey has also had a successful career in Broadway theatre, winning a Tony Award for his role in Lost in Yonkers. He served as the artistic director of the Old Vic theatre in London from 2004 to 2015.
Since 2013, Spacey has played the lead role of Frank Underwood in the Netflix political drama series House of Cards, earning Golden Globe and Emmy Award nominations for Best Actor.
As a private individual, Spacey has kept his personal life largely out of the spotlight, but in 2017, he publicly confirmed that he is gay.
Born on July 26, 1959, in South Orange, New Jersey, Spacey is the youngest of three children to Kathleen Ann (Knutson) and Thomas Geoffrey Fowler. His ancestry includes Swedish and English roots.
Spacey's early life was marked by a series of moves, as his father's irregular job prospects led the family to settle in various locations. He eventually found his way to Chatsworth High School in the San Fernando Valley, where he developed a passion for acting and began to hone his craft.
After attending Los Angeles Valley College, Spacey transferred to the drama program at Juilliard, where he trained for two years before leaving without a diploma to pursue a career in acting.
Spacey's early professional appearances included roles in the New York Shakespeare Festival and Broadway productions, including Henrik Ibsen's "Ghosts" and David Rabe's "Hurlyburly".
In the 1990s, Spacey's film career began to take off, with roles in films such as Heartburn (1986),Glengarry Glen Ross (1992),and Swimming with Sharks (1994). He went on to earn critical acclaim for his performances in films such as The Usual Suspects (1995),Se7en (1995),and American Beauty (1999).
In addition to his film work, Spacey has also directed several films and plays, including the low-key hostage drama Albino Alligator (1996) and the Broadway revival of Eugene O'Neill's "The Iceman Cometh" in 1999.
In 2003, Spacey became the artistic director of the Old Vic theatre company, a position he held until 2015. During his tenure, he directed several productions, including the British premiere of Maria Goos's "Cloaca" and a revival of Arthur Miller's "A Moon for the Misbegotten".
In 2013, Spacey took on the lead role in the Netflix series House of Cards, a position he held until 2017. He has also appeared in several films, including the action thriller Baby Driver (2017).
Throughout his career, Spacey has been recognized with numerous awards and nominations, including Academy Awards, Golden Globes, and Emmys. Despite his many accomplishments, Spacey remains humble and dedicated to his craft, continuing to push the boundaries of his acting abilities and exploring new roles and projects.
