Reports emerged that American actor Kevin Spacey was briefly hospitalized in Tashkent after experiencing numbness in his left arm. The Hollywood star had traveled to Uzbekistan to participate in the XV Tashkent International Film Festival, which ran from September 29 to October 2.
According to The Sun, Spacey felt his entire left arm go numb for about eight seconds while visiting the Afrasiab Historical Museum in Samarkand. The museum sits near the ancient Afrasiab site, a location famed for its expansive archaeological significance. He was promptly taken to the Innova diagnostic clinic, where doctors conducted a series of examinations to determine the cause of his symptoms.
A source close to Spacey told The Sun that he was taken to medical care because he was not feeling well. Hospital staff acted with professionalism, and by the end of the day doctors ruled out a heart attack. Spacey remained under observation while attending festival activities and later returned to an evening screening showing no obvious ill effects.
Spacey reflected on the experience, noting that it reminded him of life’s fragility and the importance of health for everyone who pursues demanding careers in the arts.
During the same museum visit, Spacey described seeing magnificent murals and briefly experiencing the same numbness. He stated that he immediately informed his companions and sought medical assessment. He underwent a full day of testing, including an MRI, and the medical team monitored his condition closely. He later reported that all results were normal and expressed gratitude that nothing more serious had developed.
Film screening in Uzbekistan
The festival’s anniversary events took place in the Ethnographic Park Eternal City near Samarkand. Among the guests were notable figures in international cinema, including Serbian director Emir Kusturica, Russian colleagues such as Alexey Uchitel, and actors associated with action cinema like Sami Naseri, alongside Natalia Varley and Alexander Sokurov. During his remarks, Spacey emphasized the need to popularize cinema among younger generations and make the art form more accessible.
When asked about the reach of his influence on aspiring performers, Spacey attributed much of his own drive to a combination of early inspiration from esteemed actors and the support of his mother, who introduced him to cinema, music, and theater. He recalled a challenging childhood and the moment when drama school revealed to him the possibility of becoming someone else, a realization that defined his life and career. He expressed that inspiring others would be a profound honor.
Spacey also spoke about the state of the Hollywood labor landscape, noting that he has been affiliated with the Screen Actors Guild for many years and expressing relief that negotiations had begun to address industry concerns as writers and actors pursue new agreements.
Harassment case
In the wake of his London trial, a jury in the British capital found Spacey not guilty of sexual assault in a case involving four men. The incidents dated back to the 2000s and 2010s when Spacey served as artistic director of the Old Vic Theatre. The verdict cleared him to re-enter public life and continue his career after a period of intense media scrutiny.
Spacey first faced harassment allegations in 2017, which dramatically affected his public standing and professional opportunities. He was stripped of a prestigious international prize and was removed from a high-profile film project. His name was also removed from a popular streaming portrayal in a widely watched series. In later interviews, Spacey acknowledged that some supporters struggled to speak out while the legal process unfolded. He hinted that if acquittal further opened doors, chances for roles might follow again, a possibility he described with cautious optimism.
Across the conversations around these events, Spacey has continued to emphasize his commitment to the craft and the belief that the arts should be a force for connection and resilience even amid personal and public challenges.