Celebrities Sign Open Letter Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension, Stop Short of Disney Boycott

More than 400 celebrities signed an open letter from the American Civil Liberties Union condemning ABC’s suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, calling the move a “dark moment for freedom of speech.” The letter, released Monday, contends that taking Kimmel off the air represents a broader threat to journalists, talk show hosts, artists, and other public figures who voice criticism of those in power.

ABC, a subsidiary of Disney, said it was indefinitely taking Jimmy Kimmel Live! off the air after remarks he made criticizing conservatives’ response to Charlie Kirk’s killing. The suspension prompted a wave of public debate about press freedom, corporate influence, and political pressure amid a highly charged media landscape.

In the letter, the signees stress that the moment extends beyond any single show or individual. “In an attempt to silence its critics, our government has resorted to threatening the livelihoods of journalists, talk show hosts, artists, creatives, and entertainers across the board,” the letter states. “We know this moment is bigger than us and our industry.”

Signatories include Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Robert DeNiro and Jennifer Aniston, among others. Additional names cited by organizers include Pedro Pascal, Bryan Cranston, Claire Danes, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jamie Lee Curtis, Jane Fonda, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Ruffalo, Rosie O’Donnell, Chelsea Handler and Selena Gomez. The breadth of support spans decades of Hollywood careers and intersects with other prominent performers and creators advocating for free expression.

Although the letter positions itself as a defense of open dialogue, it stops short of endorsing a boycott of Disney or pledging to withhold future work for the company. The letter notes the broader struggle for freedom of expression and acknowledges that workers across many sectors—including teachers, government employees, and students—are facing pressures to conform or risk their livelihoods.

The suspension, which ABC reportedly characterized as a company safety measure following public criticism, has highlighted tensions between entertainment personalities and corporate leadership. The decision was reportedly made after Disney CEO Bob Iger and Disney Television Studios chief Dana Walden were advised by executives and, according to some accounts, in response to signals from federal regulators.

The corporate backdrop involves a string of public and legal developments with Trump-era and post-Trump era actions. In December, Disney settled a lawsuit brought by former President Donald Trump, agreeing to donate $15 million to what Trump described as his future presidential foundation and museum. In February, Disney scaled back its diversity, equity and inclusion programs, signaling a shift in its cultural initiatives. In May, Trump revealed that Iger had visited him at the Oval Office, a moment that sparked further public discussion about the company’s political posture and influence.

Industry voices outside the letter have weighed in as well. Damon Lindelof, creator of ABC’s Lost, posted that if Kimmel’s suspension isn’t lifted, he “can’t in good conscience work for the company that imposed it.” Tatiana Maslany urged Disney+ subscribers to cancel, and Marisa Tomei urged fans to unsubscribe from and boycott the company’s platforms. The tension reflects a broader, ongoing debate about the balance between corporate interests, political advocacy, and the rights of individuals to critique those in power.

The response to Kimmel’s suspension and the surrounding events underscores a larger conversation about media independence and accountability in a landscape where corporate decision-making and political signals can rapidly shape what audiences see on screen. As ABC and Disney navigate the fallout, supporters of free expression say the central test will be whether journalists and entertainment figures can speak candidly without facing punitive actions from corporate entities.