Australian actor Guy Pearce has issued a formal apology after sharing a series of controversial social-media posts expressing support for Palestine, acknowledging that he had circulated false and misleading information about Israel.
Speaking to Jewish News on Friday, Pearce said he regretted sharing “misinformation and falsehoods” relating to the ongoing Israel–Palestine conflict.
“It has been brought to my attention that, in my support of Palestine, I have inadvertently re-posted articles, and/or statements, that have contained misinformation and falsehoods,” Pearce told the outlet.
“I am aware how sharing inaccurate content can cause confusion and distress; for this I am deeply sorry. I will certainly endeavour to be more diligent in future to verify anything I share online.”
According to Jewish News, Pearce, 58, had posted content featuring white nationalist and far-right activist Nick Fuentes, as well as material alleging Israeli involvement in the 9/11 terrorist attacks and claiming Israeli officials orchestrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in September.
The publication also reported that he circulated posts asserting that “the top three pornography companies are owned by Jewish people”.
Amid mounting backlash, Pearce – who received both Oscar and Golden Globe nominations this year for The Brutalist – announced on Saturday that he would be stepping away from social media.
“Earlier this week, I issued an apology for sharing misleading and inaccurate posts and commentary on social media,” he wrote on X.
“I meant every word of that apology but I recognise that meaningful action must accompany any apology. To prevent any further hurt, confusion or damage to others, I will be stepping back from social media for the time being.”
He also faced criticism over a November 21 tweet in which he expressed strong condemnation of Israelis.
“I’ve never been so disgusted by a group of people in my life as I am by Israelis,” he wrote in the since-deleted post.
“Every day, I witness their utter disregard and disdain for Palestinian life. It is shameful and sets humanity further backwards with every vile act like this.”
Pearce reportedly reposted additional content from an account under the handle Corefitnessbynaz2, including a message stating, “Remember, when Zionists tell you Islam will destroy America … While several major Las Vegas casinos/hotels that have caused gambling addictions, debt and prostitution were created and owned by Jewish Zionists … The Zionists (not Jews) want you to fear the people who stand against the corruption they are creating.”
The actor has previously been criticised for his social-media activity. In 2023, he sparked backlash after suggesting that non-transgender actors should be able to play transgender roles.
“A question – if the only people allowed to play trans characters r trans folk, then r we also suggesting the only people trans folk can play r trans characters?” he tweeted at the time.
“Surely that will limit ur career as an actor? Isn’t the point of an actor to be able play anyone outside ur own world?”
The comments ignited a heated debate about casting and representation, prompting Pearce to delete the post and issue a follow-up apology.
“I see that raising the question of gender identity within the casting process on a platform like Twitter was not a good idea. For that I apologise, enormously,” he later tweeted.
“The point I wanted to raise was one about defending the definition of acting and nothing more.”
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