Entertainment
Jewish advocacy groups and Paramount criticize Mark Ruffalo over merger comments
The actor rejects accusations of antisemitism after linking Paramount's acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery to Israel's military actions.
The short version
- Paramount, the Simon Wiesenthal Center, and Creative Community for Peace condemned Mark Ruffalo for using what they described as antisemitic tropes in his opposition to Paramount's $111 billion deal for Warner Bros. Discovery.
- Ruffalo had posted a 2024 clip of former Oracle CEO and current Paramount Skydance board member Safra Catz, connecting Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and his son, CEO David Ellison, to the war in Gaza.
- Creative Community for Peace urged Hollywood to boycott the actor until he apologizes, while Ruffalo dismissed the allegations as dishonest and distinguished his political criticism from antisemitism.
Key facts
- Mark Ruffalo opposed Paramount Skydance's $111 billion acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by posting a 2024 video of board member Safra Catz and criticizing Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison's reported financial backing.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]
- Paramount issued a statement accusing Ruffalo of invoking antisemitic tropes and inappropriately applying terms like 'genocide' and 'apartheid' to a corporate business dispute.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]
- Simon Wiesenthal Center CEO Jim Berk defended Paramount's statement, stating that invoking Israel in a business dispute constitutes demonization.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]
- Creative Community for Peace called for an industry boycott against Ruffalo until he retracts his statements and apologizes, alleging his rhetoric mirrors historic antisemitic tropes.[The Hollywood Reporter]
- Ruffalo stated on social media that the antisemitism accusations are 'appalling and fundamentally dishonest,' asserting that criticizing military technology contracts and corporate executives is distinct from prejudice against Jewish people.[The Hollywood Reporter · Variety]
What remains uncertain
- It remains unclear whether the proposed industry boycott against Ruffalo will gain traction among Hollywood studios or production partners.[The Hollywood Reporter]