Kenneth Lonergan Writes Letter in Defense of Mark Ruffalo, Calls Antisemitism Accusation “Cynical”
In a letter shared with The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar winner says the "notion he is antisemitic is overtly preposterous, and the accusation itself a cynical and disgusting lie."
Oscar-winning filmmaker and playwright Kenneth Lonergan strongly defended Mark Ruffalo against accusations of antisemitism, dismissing the claims as "overtly preposterous" and describing them as a "cynical and disgusting lie." The controversy arose from Ruffalo's Instagram post on August 21, in which he linked the potential merger between Paramount and Warner Bros.
Discovery to Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. Ruffalo referred to the conflict as a "genocide" and connected it to an "apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle," the technology company owned by Paramount CEO David Ellison's father, Larry Ellison. Paramount responded swiftly, calling Ruffalo's comments "antisemitic" and initiating a public dispute.
The Simon Wiesenthal Center and The Brigade, an industry group, also condemned Ruffalo's remarks. Despite his disagreement with Ruffalo's stance on the Middle East, antisemitism, and other topics, Lonergan refused to join the accusations against him, stating that such actions are a "soft place" in their opponents' positions, which they are unwilling to defend by addressing Ruffalo's points.
Lonergan urged the Simon Wiesenthal Center to review Ruffalo's comments and reconsider their response.
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