Kurt Russell Believes Actors Should 'Step Away from Saying Anything' Political.

He's a voice of reason. As a group, actors are idiots.

Backlash coming in 3... 2... 1...

Actors are indeed, for the most part, idiots. But they do have the ability to sway public opinion in a society that values entertainment over science, health, literature, wisdom, and well, everything else. So why not use the fact that Americans are so stupid that they will listen to and care about what people who spend their entire lives pretending to be other people have to say.

"As a group, actors are idiots."

As a group, politicians are much, much bigger idiots but that doesn't seem to stop them from voicing their idiotic opinions.

See: Trump, Donald

So, Kurt's a Republican?

R5, that was my immediate thought.

Funny how once upon a time, Republicans -who had no problem with birtherism- wanted to amend the requirements to run for president so that Arnold S. could run. Did Kurt have an issue when Arnold not only talked about politics, but became governor? The list of actors who not only talk about politics, but ran for office, is a lot longer for Reps than Dems.

Trump had NO business running and these idiots who scream about celebrities now worship this swine.

[quote]“As far as I’m concerned, you should step away from saying anything so that you can still be seen by the audience in any character,” Kurt added.

Kurt Russell is a Libertarian who grew up Republican and "hates" both the Democrats and Republicans. He still leans conservative.

That's why he said all of this.

He's really saying that he shouldn't speak out and share his views because he will be eaten alive.

Why are you booing him? He’s right.

As well he should keep silent considering that current conservatism looks like Fascism and/or cowardice in the face of that Fascism.

I completely agree with the man. Just because you were third banana on a CW vampire romance drama 5 years ago doesn't suddenly make you profound or give you the right to bore us with you opinions. I do prefer 'actors' who disappear into their characters.

R9 Nutjob.

He'll lose his career if he doesn't play along with pretending America is a fascist country ruled by a hillbilly Hitler. So he just wisely keeps his mouth shut.

I wouldn't listen to most actor's opinions about acting. I definitely don't care what they think about politics.

R10, too bad a certain B movie actor didn't take your advice in the early 80s.

Betty Davis felt the same way.

The ego of an actor compels them to think they have the right to speak out about things publicly. They think they are doing it from their heart but 99% of the time it's from their ego. If it weren't they would do things behind the scenes, like George Michael used to do. The idea of being super vocal about something that is not related to your work is a form of getting attention. They use their platform and fame to soak up more attention in between projects.

B14 Bette also refused to be identified by a feminist no matter how many independent strong women she played. She comes off stronger more than 30 years since her death for having stood up for that in her old age.

I agree with him wholeheartedly. In the old days, the studio days, actors more often than not kept their private opinions about many things exactly that, private. They knew the importance of keeping the mystique of the movie world alive for the fans. Stars were idolized in a way they haven't been in many years. Today actors are more often than not seen as just normal people who got lucky.

Yeah, all of those actors who were a part of the Civil Rights Movement should've just kept quiet and go make movies. When Hollywood was under attack by the govt during the Red Scare, they should've just STFU.

Are we not going to discuss how haggard he looks?

Oh, and they should also never speak up about any anti-gay legislation. Just go act and tell us about your skincare routines.

There's nothing heroic about modern actors' faux activism. They also aren't brave for toeing the industry line.

Get a haircut, Kurt! It's not 1988 any more.

He's a Republican idiot. Actors are citizens and have the right to speak their minds like anyone else.

This is a typical Republican talking point - Hollywood liberals should shut up...EXCEPT these stars who agree with us Republicans! Eastwood, James Woods, Scott Baio, etc.

I don't know why Goldie Hawn is with this asshole.

Applauding R15’s comment.

I don’t want to hear ANYONE’s political opinion.

R19 Do we start now? How long till someone mentions the pink elephant?

What other professions does Mr. Russell believe should require their practitioners to give up their First Amendment rights?

Grocery store clerks? Are they well-educated enough to spout an opinion?

Plumbers? Should they tell us about the shit they've seen, or just shut up about it?

If a young person wants to exercise his, her, or their First Amendment rights, should they major in political punditry in college in order not to be told to keep their opinions to themselves?

And if R24 doesn't want to hear any political opinions, is that our responsibility to make sure no one speaks about politics in his presence? Or is that his own fucking problem and he doesn't have to listen when someone else talks?

Translation: I'm right wing.

Actors must not be citizens and CERTAINLY must not run for public office.

[quote]Plumbers? Should they tell us about the shit they've seen, or just shut up about it?

I guess it was OK to hear from Joe the Plumber who then went on tour with the Republican clown car. I wonder why Kurt never said this when Clint spoke to an empty chair.

I completely disagree agree with the man. Just because you were third banana on a CW vampire romance drama 5 years ago doesn't suddenly make you unable to be profound or refuse you the right to bore us with you opinions.

The LAST thing this country needs is for people to stop speaking up when they see injustice.

I think I'm ready to not hear what actors think of politics. I'll just assume they're liberal/progressive. I could also use a break from hearing about who's bisexual or non binary or whatever.

All the lectures and scolding and group think is a turn off.

It is better than 15 years ago I totally wrote off all the late night talk shows. It occurred to me I knew too much about the hosts and celebrity guests and didn't particularly like any of them. Certainly not enough to willingly submit to their finger wagging lectures.

Aren’t court jesters supposed to be funny?

The reason he said that is that he was asked about his politics and he sidesteps because he knows he believes in some out there shit and he would get blow back from some of his ridiculous beliefs.

Lay it out on the table Kurt - you had no problems in the past. In fact, he said he was often discriminated against for being a Republican in Hollywood. Whatever.

R33, they are funny and politically savvy. John Oliver's show is Pulitzer-level journalism with their in-depth pieces on things you DON'T hear on the news.

[quote]In fact, he said he was often discriminated against for being a Republican in Hollywood. Whatever.

Poor thing. Did he get the German Shepherds attacking him or fire hoses?

I've been on pins and needles awaiting his opinion.

At R33 , I was referring to Kurt who was referring to himself as a ‘court jester’. Does ANYONE think of him like that?

9 times out of 10 an actor is political to get attention. For instance those jackasses singing together on that video early in the pandemic. There are many ways they can engage politically without making a fuss or seeking publicity. Big donations, for starters.

I think Matt Damon (?) said the more you know about an actor, the harder it is for that actor to create believable characters -- or something along those lines. In that sense, I agree with Kurt Russell. Of course, actors have the right to talk about whatever they like, but it's dangerous having an opinion these days. Or not. Weren't Hanson in trouble recently for NOT saying anything about BLM?

Harry Belafonte, Sidney Poitier, Barbra Streisand and Jane Fonda are NOT court jesters.

R38, do you have a source for that 9/10 statistic? Because I can think of several actors who have spoken out, and who don't appear to be seeking attention, but who apparently believe they have the right to say what they think. De Niro, Streep, Mel Gibson -- even Kurt Russell, right here in this story. He wants us to believe he has the right to say what he wants with his public megaphone, including that other people should just shut up.

As tax-paying citizens of this country, they can say whatever the fuck they want, just like we can.

Yes, and if Russell knew even a teeny, teeny bit about history and / or literature, he'd know the jester was the one and only member of The King's Court who could say anything and everything about anyone and everyone without fear of being put to death or other reprisal.

Up to and including telling unpleasant truths about others and revealing their scandals.

There was some gossip about him and Goldie not wanting kate to date a-rod because they didn't want mixed grand children, him being a rethuglican lines up with that gossip.

I don't think he's saying actors don't have any right to speak. I think he's saying it's unwise because it potentially closes off some of their audience.

And I discovered a long time ago that the less I know about Kurt Russell the man, the more I can enjoy him in film roles. Because everything I've inadvertently learned so far - he loves to hunt, for example - has been a turn-off.

"I won't say anything about politics because I'm a Republican and I want people to see my movies." If he is obviously not proud of being one if he needs to sidestep. I agree though that most times I don't care about what a celeb thinks, but there are cases such as now when it is necessary to speak out against evil...unless of course, you support that evil.

R7 is correct. And see R46 for a perfect example of the mindset that's out there.

... in which an actor makes a very political statement about actors not making political statements.

Truly, at this point in our body politic's maturity, few things are more political than saying be quiet about politics.

No one should be muzzled, regardless of profession.

Always liked Kurt, disappointed he's a Trumpper

For me it 's not about wanting to muzzle anyone. It's about the intention behind why someone is choosing to speak out. Pretty sure most of us on DL recoil at the ego gratification celebs demand when they shout their opinions from the rooftops. It's not partisan. Performative wokeness is just as annoying as Jon Voight's performative ass-licking of Trump.

I can't imagine any sensible person giving credence to, let alone being swayed by, the public pronouncements of an actor.

Tell that to Reagan and Schwarzenegger.

R53 obviously overlooked the word "sensible".

[quote]There was some gossip about him and Goldie not wanting kate to date a-rod because they didn't want mixed grand children, him being a rethuglican lines up with that gossip.

Wow, if true. They wouldn't be his grandkids anyway, but if Goldie thinks that way, then she's a cunt.

That group should include athletes!!!

Businessmen should step away from saying anything political. TV reality show stars should step away political.

[quote] Betty Davis felt the same way.

Bette Davis was a vocal Democrat. However, she didn't go around offering her opinions to anyone who would listen, but she wouldn't shy away from expressing them when asked either. She also never allowed herself to be a spokesperson for any specific political causes. She also wasn't a political sycophant. If someone or something in her own party annoyed her, she had no problem making it known.

Barbara Stanwyck, was a staunch Republican, but her attitude was much the same as Davis'. Both held strong political beliefs, yet both were actresses first and never activists.

She probably got that from Fred MacMurray, who was full tilt.

Kate Hudson has a beautiful mixed race daughter who has grandparents that dote on her.

A-Rod is Hispanic,R44; that's what you think is "mixed'?

Both M and director John Carpenter are friends with Kurt but each has described him as to the right of Attila The Hun.

From a J Carpenter interview:

John Carpenter: He’s a great great performer and great actor. He’s you know he thinks he is old now. He doesn’t want to do any more action movies. He believes some strange things sometimes. I don’t know if you know about Kurt Russell. He is to the right of Attila the Hun I mean he is extreme right and I’m extreme left. But it’s love of cinema and love of the craft of movies that keeps us together. So it just shows you what the important things are in life. If you love something the movie making process in our case then you can get along. You never know. That’s one thing you say in this business. Never say never about anything. You just don’t know what’s going to happen. But no he’s been a friend for many years many years. Kurt’s a great guy.

[Quote] There was some gossip about him and Goldie not wanting kate to date a-rod because they didn't want mixed grand children, him being a rethuglican lines up with that gossip.

I heard that too. Although i think she dodged a bullet with A-Rod, he comes off as a tool.

And isn't Kurt a gun nut?

He was so 🔥 in Silkwood.

Woof!

R61 Uh Hispanic is not a race, and he's clearly not a white man so yes dumbass.

Under normal circumstances, I would agree. However, this is the Trump era and having a platform means you must speak out or risk being seen as a supporter of what's going on.

[quote]So, Kurt's a Republican?

So Kurt's transitioning?

R7 nails it. he's the typical phony libertarian who "hates" both parties but basically is a standard issue Republican

He needs to get that neck taken care of

Beauty fades, dumb is forever.

R16, I don't really get that though? In a lot of ways she was a feminist. Seems like she was just really saying "I'm not like one of those girls".

[quote] he's clearly not a white man

racist fuk

He's a fucking idiot. Libertarians are asshats. I have no problem with actors voicing their opinions as long as they support the Democratic party.

R71, lots of people who deny being a feminist, female and male alike, are clearly feminists, because they believe women are as smart and capable as men and that women should be paid the same as men are paid for the same job.

But they don't bother finding out what feminism really means, and they associate it with far-left liberal radical politics and don't want that label. But they are still feminists, whether they like it or not. Bette Davis falls in that category, in my opinion.

R71, lots of people who deny being a feminist, female and male alike, are clearly feminists, because they believe women are as smart and capable as men and that women should be paid the same as men are paid for the same job.

But they don't bother finding out what feminism really means, and they associate it with far-left liberal radical politics and don't want that label. But they are still feminists, whether they like it or not. Bette Davis falls in that category, in my opinion.

The problem is that whenever people make these types of comments, they are almost always referring to leftwing aligning people. What about those moronic NFL players who are vocal Trump supporters? The same better apply to them .

You know what's more appalling when it's outspoken right-wingers? When it's someone like that racist shit Curt Schilling, it's particularly disgraceful, because that asshole failed at a business and got bailed out by taxpayers. But he's a "libertarian," too.

Kurt's been away from normal reality for quite a while now. Starting in his teen years, when he was Walt Disney's cumdump when guys his age were getting shipped off to Vietnam

R72 I'm latino dumbass

Kurt, deal with your dated hairstyle and turkey neck, and then we can discuss more important issues.

Speaking of Kurt, Goldie Hawn turns 75 today.

Has Goldie Hawn ever apologized for giving us Kate Hudson? What a travesty that was.

He should apologize to us for that mullet and those teeth.

They have a relationship where he gets to fuck around and Goldie and nothing

says* nothing

He can fuck off.

Here is an interview. Kurt looks better in this. Goldie is embalmed.

Goldie tried to preserve herself exactly as she was in her prime. She should have accepted ageing and developed a new hairstyle and look. You can be a great looking older person or you can look like a plastic surgery victim. You can't look like a great looking young person forever and when you try to freeze the hands of time you end up looking like Goldie. She probably should have used more sunscreen too for someone so terrified of ageing although I don't mind aged skin. I just assume that person had lots of beach walks and vacation and lived well.