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Kevin Spacey Testifies About 'Sexual Compulsive Behavior' Diagnosis
The former 'House of Cards' star acknowledged his diagnosis as he testified in a civil trial over the show's disrupted production.
Mar. 11, 2026 at 12:08am
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Kevin Spacey, the former star of the Netflix series 'House of Cards', took the witness stand at a California civil trial and acknowledged that he was formally diagnosed with 'sexual compulsive behavior' in 2017 after he voluntarily entered an inpatient treatment program. Spacey was testifying in a case pitting the production company behind 'House of Cards' against its insurer over a nine-figure claim tied to the show's halted production in 2017 and its subsequent Season Six revisions.
Why it matters
Spacey's diagnosis and testimony provide insight into the personal challenges he faced amid the wave of sexual misconduct allegations that led to his departure from 'House of Cards' in 2017. The case also highlights the complex legal and financial implications for production companies when a high-profile actor faces such allegations.
The details
Spacey confirmed that his goal at The Meadows treatment facility was to 'address sexual behavior and boundaries.' However, he expressed frustration with notes in his medical records, denying that he had identified 'touching in public without permission' as one of his 'problem behaviors.' The insurer, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, argued that its policy covered only losses resulting from a medically verified, incapacitating illness, not the media fallout surrounding the allegations against Spacey.
- On October 29, 2017, Spacey was filming 'House of Cards' when the BuzzFeed article with Anthony Rapp's allegations was published.
- In December 2017, Spacey was discharged from The Meadows treatment facility in Arizona.
The players
Kevin Spacey
The former star of the Netflix series 'House of Cards' who was diagnosed with 'sexual compulsive behavior' in 2017.
Fireman's Fund Insurance Company
The insurer that is being sued by the production company behind 'House of Cards' over a nine-figure claim tied to the show's halted production in 2017.
Media Rights Capital
The production company behind 'House of Cards' that is suing its insurer, Fireman's Fund Insurance Company, over the claim related to the show's disrupted production in 2017.
What they’re saying
“I can tell you that throughout the medical records, there are comments attributed to me I never said.”
— Kevin Spacey (Rolling Stone)
“It's written in a way that I don't speak, so I don't recall saying that specific thing.”
— Kevin Spacey (Rolling Stone)
What’s next
The judge in the case will decide on whether to allow Spacey's medical records and testimony to be used as evidence in the trial against Fireman's Fund Insurance Company.
The takeaway
Spacey's testimony provides a rare glimpse into the personal struggles he faced following the sexual misconduct allegations that derailed his acting career. The case highlights the complex legal and financial implications for production companies when high-profile actors face such allegations, and the challenges in determining whether an actor's personal issues should be covered by insurance policies.
