Hollywood Rallies Behind Jimmy Kimmel Following ABC Suspension

ABC's suspension of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" has sparked significant support for the host from Hollywood's entertainment community. The network's decision followed Kimmel's remarks concerning the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Pedro Pascal, known for his role in "The Fantastic Four: First Steps," shared on Instagram, "Standing with you Jimmy Kimmel Live!" He emphasized the importance of defending free speech and democracy, accompanying his message with a photo alongside Kimmel.

Marisa Tomei, who portrayed Aunt May in the "Spider-Man" series, reposted a call to "unsubscribe and boycott" platforms under the Walt Disney Company umbrella, including Marvel, ABC, ESPN, Fox Entertainment, Hulu, Pixar, Lucasfilm, and Bamtech Media.

Tatiana Maslany, star of "She-Hulk: Attorney at Law," urged her followers to cancel their Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN subscriptions, sharing a behind-the-scenes photo from the set.

Mark Ruffalo, known for his portrayal of the Hulk, participated in an online event where he expressed concern over the situation, stating, "My industry doesn't really understand what's happening right now, but what they do understand is our freedom of speech is being attacked."

Protests have emerged in support of Kimmel, with demonstrators gathering outside the "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" studio in Hollywood and near Disney's headquarters in Burbank, California. A petition from MoveOn Civic Action has gained traction, and the organization has commissioned a mobile billboard truck displaying messages such as "we're with Jimmy and free speech" and "dictators and executives aren't funny — Jimmy Kimmel is."

Damon Lindelof, creator of "Lost," expressed his dismay on Instagram, stating he was "shocked, saddened, and infuriated" by the suspension. He added that if the suspension isn't lifted, he "can't in good conscience work for the company" that imposed it.

Kerry Washington, known for her roles in "Scandal" and "Little Fires Everywhere," also voiced her support on Instagram, describing the suspension as "not just unfair, it's unjust."

A statement signed by numerous comedians, including Jimmy Fallon, Chelsea Handler, Rosie O'Donnell, W. Kamau Bell, and Margaret Cho, is circulating, emphasizing the broader implications of the suspension. "It's a dark time for comedians, and by extension, for all Americans," the statement reads. "When the government targets one of us, they target us all. They strike at the heart of our shared humanity. They strip away the basic right every person deserves: to speak freely, question boldly, and laugh loudly."

Chelsea Handler, who was scheduled to appear on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" the day after the suspension, addressed the situation on TikTok. She highlighted concerns over free speech, noting that while individuals have faced backlash for their statements, "we've just never had the government or government agencies like the FCC leading the charge to silence people before. Well, not since McCarthyism, which is one of the ugliest times in American history."

ABC's decision to suspend Kimmel's show came after criticism from Federal Communications Commission Chairman Brendan Carr and backlash from Nexstar Media Group, which operates numerous ABC affiliate networks and airs Kimmel's show.