The Hollywood community has come together in support of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, who has faced backlash from Disney over recent remarks made on his show. A group of prominent celebrities, including Tom Hanks, Jennifer Aniston, Meryl Streep, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jason Bateman, and Martin Short, have signed an open letter with the American Civil Liberties Union denouncing Disney’s decision to pull Kimmel’s show off its schedule.
The letter emphasizes the importance of protecting Americans’ right to speak freely, stating that any efforts to silence individuals for their speech go against the principles of a free country. Anthony D. Romero, the executive director of the ACLU, compared the situation to the McCarthy era of the 1950s, highlighting the dangers of government censorship and the need for citizens to stand up against such actions.
In addition to the celebrities mentioned, other notable figures such as Ariana DeBose, Jane Fonda, Maggie Gyllenhaal, Regina King, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Diego Luna, Lin-Manuel Miranda, and Natalie Portman have also signed the letter. The diverse group of signatories reflects a unified front in defense of free speech.
Disney’s decision to remove Kimmel’s show from its schedule came after objections from Nexstar Media, one of the largest owners of TV stations in the U.S., regarding Kimmel’s comments about conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Nexstar announced its intention to pre-empt airings of the program, prompting Disney to take action. Sinclair, another major station owner, has also stated its intention to keep Kimmel’s show off its stations.
Interestingly, some of the signatories have ties to Disney through their work. Martin Short stars in the Hulu series “Only Murders in the Building,” in which Meryl Streep has a recurring role. Florence Pugh, who starred in the recent Marvel release “Thunderbolts,” has also added her name to the letter. Jamie Lee Curtis, known for her role in the FX series “The Bear,” is another signatory standing in solidarity with Kimmel.
Overall, the support from the Hollywood community and the ACLU sends a strong message about the importance of protecting free speech rights in the face of censorship and pressure. The collective voice of these influential figures serves as a reminder of the power of united action in defense of fundamental freedoms.
