Career Timeline of Kevin Spacey: Major Achievements and Milestones

From career breakthroughs to professional milestones, explore how Kevin Spacey made an impact.

Kevin Spacey is a highly acclaimed American actor recognized for his extensive work in theater and film. He has garnered significant recognition, including two Academy Awards, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Tony Award, and two Laurence Olivier Awards. He also received nominations for 12 Emmy Awards. In 2015, he was awarded an honorary Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition

1976: Worked on Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign

In 1976, Spacey worked on Jimmy Carter's presidential campaign.

1981: First Professional Stage Appearance

In 1981, Spacey made his first professional stage appearance in Henry VI, Part 1.

1984: Appeared in Hurlyburly

In 1984, Spacey appeared in a production of David Rabe's Hurlyburly.

1986: Appeared in Sleuth

In 1986, Spacey appeared in a production of Sleuth in a New Jersey dinner theatre.

1986: Film Debut with Heartburn

In 1986, Spacey began his film career with a small role in Mike Nichols's comedy-drama film Heartburn.

1986: First Film Appearance in Heartburn

In 1986, Spacey made his first film appearance in Mike Nichols's Heartburn.

1986: Starred in Long Day's Journey into Night

In 1986, Spacey starred in a revival of Eugene O'Neill's Long Day's Journey into Night on Broadway.

1987: First Major Television Appearance in 'Crime Story'

In 1987, Kevin Spacey made his first major television appearance in the second-season premiere of 'Crime Story', playing a Kennedy-esque American senator. He also appeared in 'The Equalizer'.

1988: Starred in Speed-the-Plow

In 1988, Jeff Goldblum and Laura Michelle Kelly joined Spacey as the three characters in David Mamet's play Speed-the-Plow.

1988: Played Mel Profitt on 'Wiseguy'

In 1988, Kevin Spacey earned a fan base after playing the manic depressive arms dealer Mel Profitt on the television series 'Wiseguy'.

1988: Appeared in Working Girl

In 1988, Spacey also briefly appeared in another Nichols film, Working Girl, and in the television miniseries The Murder of Mary Phagan.

1989: Appeared in See No Evil, Hear No Evil

In 1989, Spacey appeared in the comedy See No Evil, Hear No Evil.

1991: Won Tony Award for Lost in Yonkers

In 1991, Spacey won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Uncle Louie in Neil Simon's Broadway hit Lost in Yonkers.

1992: Starred in Glengarry Glen Ross

In 1992, Spacey starred in Glengarry Glen Ross.

1994: Starred in Iron Will and The Ref

In 1994, Spacey played news reporter Harry Kingsley in Iron Will and starred in the dark comedy Christmas film The Ref.

1995: Academy Award for The Usual Suspects

In 1995, Kevin Spacey won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in The Usual Suspects.

1995: Breakthrough Role in The Usual Suspects

In 1995, Spacey gained prominence for his role as Verbal Kint in The Usual Suspects, winning the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor.

1995: Starred in Swimming with Sharks

In 1995, Spacey starred in the satire Swimming with Sharks.

1996: Starred in A Time to Kill and Directed Albino Alligator

In 1996, Spacey played an egomaniacal district attorney in A Time to Kill and made his directorial debut with Albino Alligator.

1996: Starred in A Time to Kill

In 1996, Spacey starred in A Time to Kill.

1997: Hosted 'Saturday Night Live' for the First Time

In 1997, Kevin Spacey hosted 'Saturday Night Live' for the first time, with musical guest Beck and special guests Michael Palin and John Cleese from Monty Python's Flying Circus.

1997: Starred in L.A. Confidential and Founded Trigger Street Productions

In 1997, Spacey starred in L.A. Confidential and founded Trigger Street Productions.

1997: Starred in L.A. Confidential

In 1997, Spacey starred in L.A. Confidential.

1998: Voiced Hopper in A Bug's Life

In 1998, Spacey voiced the intimidating grasshopper, Hopper in the animated Pixar film A Bug's Life.

1999: Starred in 'American Beauty' and Received Acclaim

In 1999, Kevin Spacey starred in 'American Beauty' as Lester Burnham, a depressed suburban father. The film and his performance were widely acclaimed, earning him his second Oscar for Best Actor in a Leading Role. He dedicated the award to Jack Lemmon. He also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1999.

1999: Academy Award for American Beauty

In 1999, Kevin Spacey won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in American Beauty.

1999: Hollywood Walk of Fame Star

In 1999, Spacey received his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

1999: Won Laurence Olivier Award

In 1999, Spacey won a Laurence Olivier Award for The Iceman Cometh.

2000: Starred in 'Pay It Forward'

In 2000, Kevin Spacey starred in 'Pay It Forward,' playing a physically and emotionally scarred grade school teacher.

2000: Recount revolving around Florida's vote

In 2008 Spacey starred as Ron Klain in the HBO original political drama film Recount revolving around Florida's vote recount during the 2000 United States presidential election between George W. Bush and Al Gore.

2001: Starred in 'K-Pax'

In 2001, Kevin Spacey starred in 'K-Pax', playing a patient in a mental institution who may or may not be an alien.

February 2003: Named Artistic Director of the Old Vic

In February 2003, Spacey announced that he was to become the artistic director of the Old Vic.

September 2004: First Season at the Old Vic

In September 2004, Spacey's first season started at the Old Vic, opening with the British premiere of Cloaca.

2004: Starred in 'Beyond the Sea'

In 2004, Kevin Spacey starred in 'Beyond the Sea,' a biographical musical about Bobby Darin. He co-wrote, directed, co-produced, and starred in the film, also providing his own vocals for the soundtrack. He received mostly positive reviews for his singing and a Golden Globe nomination.

2004: Artistic Director of the Old Vic

In 2004, Spacey became the artistic director of the Old Vic theatre in London.

2005: UK Shakespearean Debut

In 2005, Spacey made his UK Shakespearean debut in the title role of Richard II.

May 2006: Hosted 'Saturday Night Live' Again

In May 2006, Kevin Spacey hosted 'Saturday Night Live' again, with musical guest Nelly Furtado.

2006: Played Lex Luthor in Superman Returns

In 2006, Kevin Spacey played Lex Luthor in the film 'Superman Returns'.

2006: Working at the Old Vic

In 2006, Spacey said that he was having the time of his life working at the Old Vic and he performed in productions of National Anthems and The Philadelphia Story.

2006: Starred in Superman Returns

In 2006, Spacey starred in Superman Returns.

December 2007: Co-hosted the Nobel Peace Prize Concert

In December 2007, Kevin Spacey co-hosted the Nobel Peace Prize Concert along with Uma Thurman.

2007: Starred in A Moon for the Misbegotten

In 2007, Spacey starred in A Moon for the Misbegotten, which transferred to Broadway.

2008: Starred in '21'

In 2008, Kevin Spacey played a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) lecturer in the film '21'.

2008: Starred in 'Recount' and Produced 'Bernard and Doris'

In 2008, Kevin Spacey starred as Ron Klain in the HBO film 'Recount'. That same year Spacey produced the TV movie 'Bernard and Doris'.

2008: Portrayed Ron Klain in Recount

In 2008, Spacey portrayed Ron Klain in Recount and produced Bernard and Doris for HBO Films.

2009: Directed Complicit

In 2009, Spacey directed the premiere of Joe Sutton's Complicit and also starred in a revival of Inherit the Wind.

2009: Was supposed to return for Superman sequel

Kevin Spacey was originally slated to reprise his role in the sequel to Superman Returns, but the series was rebooted in 2009.

2010: Starred in Chinese film 'Inseparable'

In early 2010, Kevin Spacey starred in writer-director Dayyan Eng's black comedy film 'Inseparable', becoming the first Hollywood actor to star in a fully Chinese-funded film.

March 18, 2011: Cast as Frank Underwood in 'House of Cards'

On March 18, 2011, it was announced that Kevin Spacey was cast as Frank Underwood in the Netflix series 'House of Cards'.

June 2011: Richard III Worldwide Tour

In June 2011, Spacey began a worldwide tour in Shakespeare's Richard III.

2011: Starred in 'Margin Call' and 'Horrible Bosses'

In 2011, Kevin Spacey starred in 'Margin Call,' which debuted at the Sundance Film Festival to critical acclaim. He also co-starred in the comedy film 'Horrible Bosses'.

2011: Portrayed Richard III

In 2011, Spacey portrayed the title role in Richard III.

2011: Starred in Margin Call

In 2011, Spacey starred in Margin Call and Horrible Bosses.

2012: Richard III Worldwide Tour

In early 2012, Richard III worldwide tour culminated in New York

2013: Starred in House of Cards

From 2013, Spacey starred as Frank Underwood in the Netflix series House of Cards.

2013: Executive-produced 'Captain Phillips'

In 2013, Kevin Spacey executive-produced the biographical survival thriller film 'Captain Phillips', which was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Picture.

2013: Remarks on Playing Villains

In 2013, Spacey remarked on his propensity for playing villains, stating that people like him evil.

2013: Superman series rebooted

The Superman series, in which Kevin Spacey previously played Lex Luthor, was rebooted with the 2013 film 'Man of Steel'.

March 2014: Starred in Clarence Darrow

In March 2014, it was announced that Spacey would star in a one-man play at the Old Vic, taking on the part of Clarence Darrow.

2014: Portrayed Jonathan Irons in 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare'

In 2014, Kevin Spacey portrayed the antagonist Jonathan Irons in the video game 'Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare' through motion capture.

2015: Starred in Darrow

In 2015, Spacey starred as Clarence Darrow in a West End production of Darrow.

January 2016: Announced as Chairman of Relativity Studios, then Opted Out

In January 2016, it was announced that Kevin Spacey would become chairman of Relativity Studios after Relativity Media emerged from bankruptcy. However, Spacey later opted out of assuming the chairmanship.

August 5, 2016: Starred in 'Nine Lives'

On August 5, 2016, Kevin Spacey starred in the comedy film 'Nine Lives', as a man trapped in the body of a cat.

2016: Completed Billionaire Boys Club

In late 2016, Spacey completed filming 'Billionaire Boys Club', but controversy surrounded the release following allegations.

March 2017: Cast as J. Paul Getty in 'All the Money in the World'

In March 2017, it was announced that Kevin Spacey would portray J. Paul Getty in Ridley Scott's 'All the Money in the World'.

2017: Starred in House of Cards

In 2017, Spacey continued starring as Frank Underwood in the Netflix series House of Cards.

2017: Hosted the Tony Awards

In 2017, Spacey hosted the 71st Tony Awards.

May 2021: Cast in 'The Man Who Drew God'

In May 2021, Kevin Spacey was cast in a supporting role in the crime drama film 'The Man Who Drew God'.

August 2021: Filming 'Peter Five Eight'

In August 2021, Kevin Spacey was reportedly filming in California for a small production, 'Peter Five Eight', in which he plays a "charismatic" serial killer.

November 28, 2022: Cast in British Indie Thriller 'Control'

On November 28, 2022, after winning a sexual battery lawsuit against him filed by Anthony Rapp, Kevin Spacey was cast in the British indie thriller 'Control'.

2024: Industry Members Supported Spacey's Return

In 2024, notable industry members such as actors Sharon Stone, Liam Neeson, F. Murray Abraham, and Stephen Fry, film director Paul Schrader and theatre director Trevor Nunn vocally supported Kevin Spacey's attempts to return to acting.