Bill Clinton and Kevin Spacey sure do like each other. The former president made a surprise video appearance at Monday night’s Helen Hayes Awards ceremony to praise the Oscar-winning actor for his talent, philanthropy — and Clinton impressions. Spacey, who received a special tribute, used half his acceptance speech to praise Clinton for his kindness, and for taking his mom to lunch in Seattle one time.
Clinton and Spacey had been hanging out at a New York Starbucks, Spacey explained, when Clinton asked after Spacey’s mother. The actor told him she was living in Seattle. A year and a half later, Spacey got a call from Clinton. “He said, ‘Kevin, doesn’t your mom live in Seattle?’” Spacey told the audience. “I said, ‘Yeah. How do you know that?’ He said, ‘You told me one time.’ ‘Yeah, why?’ ‘Well, I’m in Seattle.’”
“I gave him my mom’s number.” Spacey paused. “I know what you’re thinking.”
Clinton ended up taking Spacey’s mother to a speech that day. “I’ll never forget that, the kindness of that,” Spacey said.
Spacey was a drama-free honoree, hanging out quietly at the end of the bar at the Warner Theater with a drink and no entourage. He was also seen patiently waiting in line with all the other guests to get in — no special treatment.
In addition to the Spacey-Clinton lovefest, the awards show featured guest appearances by local politicos Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton, D-D.C., D.C. Councilmember Jack Evans, Montgomery County Executive Ike Leggett, and Rep. Jim Moran, D-Va. MSNBC’s resident theater buff Chris Matthews also presented an award.
