Michael Rapaport is no victim. He’ll tell you that himself.
The actor-turned-comedian throws the sharpest of elbows on social media, either via X or his eponymous podcast (“I Am Rapaport”).
You cannot tell the story of The Celtics without wild racist stories. What is the deal with race relations in Boston?
New @iamrapaport podcast breaks it down on my YouTube channel:https://t.co/JMZiY0ws52 pic.twitter.com/hj0ieU7vLP
— MichaelRapaport (@MichaelRapaport) April 9, 2025
His social media feed brims with hot takes on everything from sports to politics. And, in recent months, he’s been fixated on the aftermath of October 7.
Rapaport may be the loudest Hollywood voice speaking out on behalf of the remaining hostages and against Hamas barbarism. Most remain whisper silent on the matter. He even appeared in the recent antisemitism documentary “October 8.”
That approach may be costing the prolific star, according to his recent interview with i24News and shared via Fox News.
“I feel like I’ve always gotten threats—whether it was stuff about politics, I’ve always gotten threats on social media, those don’t concern me. I’ve had comedy shows protested, that doesn’t concern me. There’s been… how do I say it, there’s been… some issues in terms of getting jobs as an actor … However, I don’t have the slightest bit of regret. I don’t. There was no choice. ‘Well, if you do this, this is going to happen’ or ‘If you do this, this won’t happen.’ Being supportive of Jews, being supportive of Israel, being supportive of our people, was not a choice. It is very natural and organic to me.”
Hollywood’s moral compass took yet another hit following October 7. Yes, we saw some stars sign onto group letters condemning the savagery. Then, quicker than expected, the industry essentially took a knee.
RELATED: ARE CRITICS IGNORING HAMAS DOC ‘SCREAMS BEFORE SILENCE?’
A handful of stars have shared consistent support for the hostages – including Five For Fighting’s John Ondrasik, Debra Messing and Patricia Heaton. Yet even those known for supporting Jewish causes, like Steven Spielberg and Adam Sander, said little publicly on the matter.
The bigger surprise?
The hostages remain unmentioned at awards show after awards show. Actors typically speak out on any number of hot-button issues during awards season, from music galas to film events. Yet none used their stage time to remind the world of the hostages’ plight.
Rapaport took that personally and mocked his fellow actors for their silence.
A few actor-activists joined the pro-Palestinian movement post-October 7, like Melissa Barrera, Susan Sarandon, John Cusack and Rachel Zegler.
Barrera lost her gig in the “Scream” franchise for comments some deemed antisemitic but appears to be bouncing back, professionally speaking. Sarandon’s tone deaf rant cost the Oscar winner her agent two years ago.
Sarandon, who appeared in 2024’s “The Fabulous Four” and “The Six Triple Eight,” co-stars in Netflix’s “Nonnas” debuting next month.
Cusack’s incendiary social media rants, including what seemed like a plea for more violence against Teslas, have taken precedence over screen work in recent years. He mostly works in indie films of late.
Zegler’s professional woes extend far beyond her political commentary.
What about Rapaport?
He hasn’t said or done anything to merit cancellation. He’s a Jewish man throwing his support behind Israel and demanding innocent hostages be released.
He didn’t accidentally shoot and kill a cinematographer on a movie set. He never threw a chair at someone or stood accused of grooming a teen. His past includes an admission that he harassed a former girlfriend, but that didn’t stop him from steady paychecks over the past 28 years.
Yet he suggests Hollywood, an industry that used him consistently on screens large and small, suddenly doesn’t need him.
