Mark Ruffalo disputes Paramount's antisemitism accusations amid merger controversy

Actor Mark Ruffalo is embroiled in a controversy following accusations of antisemitism from Paramount. The dispute stems from Ruffalo’s social media posts criticizing the proposed $111 billion merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. Ruffalo specifically targeted the Ellison family, noting connections between Oracle co-founder Larry Ellison and Paramount Skydance CEO David Ellison, while sharing a clip of board member Safra Catz discussing Oracle’s technology provided to the Israeli military.

Paramount issued a statement expressing being ‘troubled when antisemitic tropes are invoked in purported service of a business dispute,’ arguing that terms like ‘genocide’ and ‘apartheid’ are inappropriate in a corporate context. In response, Ruffalo called the accusations ‘appalling and fundamentally dishonest,’ asserting that his criticism is directed at political and corporate actions rather than Jewish people.

Several high-profile figures have intervened. Jane Fonda, through the Committee for the 1st Amendment, defended Ruffalo, calling the accusations a ‘smear to delegitimize criticism of the merger’ and a distraction from concerns regarding media consolidation. Other celebrities, including Marisa Tomei, have also voiced support for Ruffalo. Conversely, industry groups such as The Brigade, which includes producers Haim Saban and Lawrence Bender, have condemned Ruffalo’s rhetoric, stating that singling out Jewish executives using such tropes is unacceptable.