By Larry Neumeister & Tom Hays
NEW YORK (AP) --The first witness at a civil trial in which Kevin Spacey is accused of making a sexual advance on a 14-year-old boy in the mid-1980s testified Friday that Spacey made a similar move on him years earlier.
Andrew Holtzman was called to testify by lawyers for actor Anthony Rapp, who is seeking $40 million in damages for the psychological injuries he says he sustained as a result of an encounter with Spacey after a party in 1986.
Rapp, 50, began testifying Friday, but the jury was sent to lunch after several minutes in which Rapp provided biographical information about himself. Rapp's claims, first made publicly in 2017, were the first among others that largely shut down Spacey's career after multiple claims of inappropriate touching or sexual advances.
At the time, Spacey was starring in Netflix's political thriller "House of Cards." He's also known for his role in the 1999 film "American Beauty," which won him an Academy Award.
As a teenager, Rapp acted in films including "Adventures in Babysitting." He was later part of the original Broadway cast of "Rent," and is now a regular on "Star Trek: Discovery" on television.
During opening statements Thursday, Rapp's lawyers told the Manhattan federal court jury that they will prove that Spacey picked up Rapp, placed him on a bed in his apartment and climbed on top of him before Rapp wriggled away and fled the apartment. At the time, Spacey was 26.
Holtzman, now 68, testified that he was working in his office at the New York Shakespeare Festival in the summer of 1981 when Spacey entered and sat at a spare desk used by actors and others who worked for the company of seven theaters.
Holtzman said Spacey didn't say anything when he entered the office in a windbreaker, "tight blue jeans," and carrying a leather shoulder bag, but he recalled knowing him because he'd seen his picture in the program for a play, "Henry IV," in which Spacey was performing at the time.
As he finished a telephone call, Holtzman stood up at his desk and a sexually aroused Spacey walked over to him, lifted him up by the crotch and put him on the desk, Holtzman recalled.
"What are you doing? Get off of me!" he said he told Spacey.
"I could feel his erection on my body," Holtzman said.
After a few more minutes, Spacey got off him, grabbed his windbreaker and bag and stormed from the office, Holtzman said.
"He was angry," he said.
On cross examination, a lawyer for Spacey, 63, showed Holtzman six pages of a program for "Henry IV" and Holtzman said he did not see Spacey's photograph.
Mike Pierantozzi joins Movers+Shakers as exec creative director
Creative agency Movers+Shakers has appointed Mike Pierantozzi as executive creative director. In this new role, he will help guide the creative direction of Movers+Shakers’ socially-native campaigns. Pierantozzi will report to co-founder and chief creative officer Geoffrey Goldberg.
With nearly two decades of experience as a copywriter, creative director, and multi-platform storyteller, Pierantozzi brings a wealth of knowledge from his work with major brands including Kraft, Unilever, IBM, and Walmart. He has led the creation of award-winning campaigns for agencies like Red Tettemer, Ogilvy, The Brooklyn Brothers, TAXI, Saatchi & Saatchi, and most recently, Vayner, where he spearheaded culturally iconic work for Planters including “Death of Mr. Peanut.” He led the National Down Syndrome Society and Luvs account, whose “First Kid. Second Kid” campaign was awarded by the Effies, ADC, Clios and LIAs.
Outside of the office, Pierantozzi practices what he teaches brands. He’s gone viral multiple times on his own TikTok account, featuring comedic interactions with his son and a trombone. He’s accumulated 15K followers on TikTok.
“Mike brings a rare and awesome combination of deep social and platform experience, a keen eye for excellent storytelling, and a humble and kind approach to leadership,” said Goldberg. “Mike’s got a knack for turning brand stories into cultural movements, making him the perfect fit for Movers+Shakers. He’s got the kind of bold vision and attention to culture that fits perfectly with our mission to push creative boundaries and drive industry firsts. Plus, as a creator himself he has the innate ability to make people stop, laugh, and share--which is exactly what we’re about.”
“I’ve... Read More