Spacey moved around a lot as a kid with his family growing up, but took an interest in drama and music. He went to several high schools, including Canoga Park High School, where, when he was in 11th grade, he had an epiphany during a performance of Arthur Miller's "All My Sons."

"Something happened as I walked off the stage that had never happened to me before. The audience applauded me in the middle of the play. It was the first time I realized I had an effect on people," Spacey told Parade. "It was puzzling, confusing, slightly frightening, and it was liberating. Finally acting gave me something to focus on, something I enjoyed that offered me a chance to go into different worlds. All these imaginary games that you played with your friends in the neighborhood — I didn’t have to put those games away. I just kept playing them onstage."

He then transferred to Chatsworth High School in California his senior year where he became co-valedictorian.