Haim Saban, Lawrence Bender and Teddy Schwarzman Among Industry Group Accusing Mark Ruffalo of “Antisemitism” in Attack on Paramount Leadership

A coalition of prominent industry professionals, among them Ram Bergman, Anthony Bregman, Haim Saban, Teddy Schwarzman, and Lawrence Bender, penned an open letter denouncing Mark Ruffalo's remarks regarding the Ellison family and the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger. The letter alleges that Ruffalo's statements promote "antisemitic tropes."

The group, representing nearly 1,000 members and allies from film, television, music, Broadway, and other entertainment platforms, vehemently condemns the use of antisemitic tropes and narratives by individuals who employ them for hate speech against Jews. The letter asserts that the portrayal of Jewish executives as a clandestine, wealthy, and powerful elite indulging in mass death constitutes a form of antisemitism, akin to the rhetoric utilized by Nazis, Soviets, and the Klan.

The actor sparked controversy by dismissing the merger in part due to the Ellison family's connections to Israel's "genocide" in Gaza. Paramount responded swiftly, labeling Ruffalo's remarks "antisemitic" and denouncing them as "a bridge too far." Ruffalo later clarified that his views stem from his personal political beliefs and should not be misconstrued as hostility towards Jewish people, emphasizing that his family and friends have profoundly influenced his life.