Brian Cox joined the chorus of voices who demand a disgraced actor Kevin SpaceyThe return to Hollywood.

“I just think that Kevin had certain things that he couldn’t or wouldn’t admit, and I think that strained him in a lot of ways. And to me, that was Kevin’s only difficulty,” Cox, 78, said. The Hollywood Reporter during a new interview. “But he’s a very good actor and I really like Kevin. He’s very funny.”

Cox went on to say that he recently met Spacey, 65, with whom he previously shared the screen in the 1994 Disney film, iron will.

“I think he experienced that,” Cox said. “He got the kicking that some people think he deserved. He’s ready to get back in the saddle, and people are trying to stop him. And I really come back to ‘Let he who is without sin throw first rock.'”

Cox, who has long criticized “cancel culture,” argued that Spacey deserved the chance to make a comeback.

“Maybe he got too out of control, but I don’t think he should be punished indefinitely for that,” said the Succession star. “There should be a case of forgive and forget. Let’s move on. I think he should be given the opportunity to come back to work.”

Want more movie news? Register for Weekly Entertainmentthe free newsletter of to get the latest trailers, celebrity interviews, movie reviews and much more.

Spacey has been accused of sexual misconduct by more than a dozen men since 2017. found not guilty in 2023 case in London, during which four men claimed he had sexually assaulted them between 2001 and 2013, and before that he had been found not responsible in a civil trial in 2022 brought by the actor Anthony Rappwho accused Spacey of molesting him in 1986 when he was 14, and Spacey was 26. Spacey is currently involved in another civil trial in the United Kingdom in which he is accused of sexually assaulting a man in 2008; he denied the allegations. Spacious I became gay amid Rapp’s initial accusation in 2017.

This isn’t the first time Cox has addressed Spacey controversies. In his 2022 memoir, Put the rabbit in the hatCox described the Usual suspects star as “a great talent, but a stupid, stupid man.” He claimed that Spacey’s sexuality was an “open secret” when they worked together in 1994, adding “as was the fact that he could be somewhat predatory.”

Cox also shared his opinion that it was a “big mistake” for Spacey to “come out at the same time as he was being accused of sexual misconduct, which wasn’t the best thing to do and caused him to lose a lot of support from homosexuals.” community.”

Cox has also been memorably vocal when it comes to his stance on “cancel culture,” which he has called a “virus” and “a sort of modern-day McCarthyism” The actor had previously defended Bill Murrayin the middle of allegations of inappropriate behavior on the set of Being mortal, And Harry Potter Creator Rowlingwho often faces backlash for adopt anti-trans rhetoric.

During his conversation with THRlamented Cox, “It’s all about this cancel culture now, and everyone is obsessed with this whole thing about how you’re supposed to behave.”

He said the problem even impacted his own work, recalling an experience earlier this year while he was rehearsing for the play. A long day’s journey into the nightwhich debuted in London in April. Cox explained that during the rehearsal process, he felt frustrated.

“I’m very angry with myself. I’m always angry with myself when I learn my lines,” he explained. “So someone reported me to Equity here in the UK for my anger. I just thought, ‘Who was I angry at?’ I wasn’t angry at anyone in particular. I was only angry at the fact that I was trying to deal with this fucking difficult game! »

He added: “It’s just weird these days. Nobody knows how to be spontaneous anymore.

A representative for Cox did not immediately respond to Weekly Entertainmentrequest for additional comments.