Kevin Spacey's filmography spans over three decades, marked by two Academy Awards, landmark television hits, and a complex professional trajectory. If you're looking for a complete look at his movies and TV shows, the actor's catalog stretches from early supporting roles in the late 1980s to prominent 90s psychological thrillers and streaming-era television drama. Understanding this body of work requires breaking it down by eras, defining performances, and major milestones rather than a simple chronological list.
His career is defined by sharp tonal shifts, ranging from ice-cold villains and ordinary men pushed to the edge to charismatic political operators. Whether you're tracking his rise to Hollywood prominence or evaluating his post-2017 indie projects, this guide maps out his essential cinematic and television contributions.
The Breakthrough Era and 1990s Masterpieces
Spacey's transition from stage actor to screen star took shape in the early 1990s. After small appearances in films like Heartburn (1986) and Working Girl (1988), he established his reputation playing intense, manipulative, or deeply unsettling characters.
His breakout performance arrived in Bryan Singer's The Usual Suspects (1995), where he played Roger "Verbal" Kint. The role earned him the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor and cemented his status as a master of psychological ambiguity. That same year, he appeared as the chilling serial killer John Doe in David Fincher's Se7en, followed by a slick turn as a corrupt prosecutor in A Time to Kill (1996).
- L.A. Confidential (1997): Played Detective Jack Vincennes, balancing Hollywood glitz with gritty police corruption.
- American Beauty (1999): Starred as Lester Burnham, winning his second Academy Award (Best Actor) for portraying a mid-life suburban crisis.
- The Negotiator (1998): Played hostage negotiator Chris Sabian, showcasing a rare heroic, straight-arrow persona.
The 2000s: Versatility, Directing, and Drama
Entering the 2000s, Spacey diversified his portfolio by taking on indie dramas, studio blockbusters, and passion projects behind the camera. He starred as an institutionalized mental patient who claims to be from another planet in K-PAX (2001) and played a grieving shipping clerk in Lasse Hallström's The Shipping News (2001).
During this decade, he also stepped into high-profile franchise filmmaking and biographical work:
- Superman Returns (2006): Took on the iconic role of villain Lex Luthor under director Bryan Singer.
- Beyond the Sea (2004): Co-wrote, directed, produced, and starred as singer Bobby Darin, fulfilling a long-held personal ambition.
- 21 (2008): Played MIT professor Mickey Rosa training card-counting students in this commercial box-office hit.
- Margin Call (2011): Delivered a grounded performance as risk-management executive Sam Rogers in a 24-hour financial crisis drama.
Television Dominance and House of Cards
While Spacey primarily built his reputation in feature films, his television catalog contains one of the most defining streaming series of the 2010s. From 2013 to 2017, he starred as ruthless politician Francis Underwood in Netflix's political drama House of Cards.
The role earned him a Golden Globe Award and multiple Primetime Emmy nominations, helping establish Netflix as a powerhouse producer of original prestige television. Following public controversies and allegations in late 2017, Netflix severed ties with the actor, writing his character out of the final season of the series.
Beyond House of Cards, his television footprint includes early guest appearances on 1980s crime dramas like Crime Story and the critically acclaimed 2008 HBO television film Recount, where he played political strategist Ron Klain.
Independent and International Projects
Following a hiatus from major Hollywood studio films, Spacey's later career shifted toward independent international productions and lower-budget indie features. Projects from this period include the Edgar Wright action film Baby Driver (2017), where he played criminal mastermind Doc, alongside European indie features and voice roles such as the mysterious voice in Control (2023).
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Academy Awards has Kevin Spacey won?
He has won two Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for The Usual Suspects (1995) and Best Actor for American Beauty (1999).
What was Kevin Spacey's role in House of Cards?
He played Frank Underwood, a cunning, ambitious South Carolina congressman who climbs to the presidency through manipulation and betrayal.
Did Kevin Spacey direct any films?
Yes. He directed the crime thriller Albino Alligator (1996) and the Bobby Darin biographical musical Beyond the Sea (2004), in which he also starred.
Where can I watch most of his major 90s films?
Major titles like The Usual Suspects and L.A. Confidential rotate frequently across major subscription streaming platforms or digital rental storefronts like Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video.
