Mark Ruffalo Denies Antisemitism Allegations Amid Paramount Merger Dispute

Actor Mark Ruffalo has strongly denied accusations of antisemitism following criticism from Paramount Pictures. The dispute arose after Ruffalo opposed the major merger deal in which Paramount-SkyDance seeks to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery. Ruffalo shared a video featuring Oracle executive Safra Catz discussing technology provided to Israel after the October 7 attacks, and criticized Oracle founder Larry Ellison, father of Paramount CEO David Ellison, who is financially backing the merger. Paramount responded by accusing Ruffalo of using antisemitic imagery, a charge he called "shocking and fundamentally unfair." Ruffalo emphasized that antisemitism has no place in society and condemned it unequivocally, clarifying that his criticism of Israeli Prime Minister policies, military technology contracts, or executives is not criticism of Jewish people.

Ruffalo reiterated his opposition to the merger, warning about the business ties of the Ellison family and the potential threat to journalistic independence and industry jobs. The merger would consolidate major American media brands including CNN, HBO, CBS, Warner Bros., and Paramount under one roof. The controversy escalated as organizations such as the Simon Wiesenthal Center, Anti-Defamation League, Creative Community for Peace, and the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles joined the criticism against Ruffalo. Conversely, actor John Cusack publicly defended him. Ruffalo has been a prominent Hollywood voice critical of Israeli policies and the Gaza conflict for years. This confrontation with Paramount comes at a sensitive time as the company attempts to finalize one of Hollywood’s largest deals.