Tuesday, 10, December, 2024

Kevin Spacey was rushed to hospital fearing a heart attack after his arm went numb while he was attending a film festival. The Oscar-winning actor, 64, underwent an MRI scan after the scare during the 15th Tashkent International Film Festival in Uzbekistan.

He became unwell while touring the Afrasiyab Museum in the ancient Silk Road city of Samarkand - and felt his "entire left arm go numb for about eight seconds".

House of Cards star Spacey was taken to the Innova Diagnostic Clinic in the city to undergo a series of tests - including an MRI scan.

It was feared the actor could have suffered a heart attack, but doctors later gave him the all-clear.

A source close to the actor said: “Mr Spacey was taken to a medical centre over health concerns.

"He was treated professionally by doctors and staff and found to have no problem with his heart.” 

The Superman Returns star appeared on stage at the festival later that night, and told the crowd his health was "normal".

Spacey said: "It made me really take a moment and think about how fragile life is - for all of us."

The star, who won Oscars for his roles in The Usual Suspects and American Beauty, gave a speech at the festival's closing ceremony on Monday.

He said: "I experienced something here today that was unexpected."

The star went on: "I was looking at these extraordinary murals on the walls and I suddenly felt my entire left arm go numb for about eight seconds.

"I shook it off, but I immediately told the people I was with and we went immediately to the [...] medical centre."

He added: "I spent the afternoon there having a variety of tests. Staff took care of me, and even put me through an MRI.

"Everything turned out to be completely normal, and I'm grateful it's not anything more serious."

Spacey had the day before announced his "comeback" at an event in the capital Tashkent - insisting his "best roles were ahead of him".

He was earlier this year cleared of a series of charges of sexual assault.

He is currently attempting to rebuild his career after losing out on major roles and being axed from Netflix’s House of Cards.

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