May 12, 2026 7:21am PT

Cannes Juror Paul Laverty Says ‘Shame on Hollywood’ for Blacklisting Susan Sarandon and More Actors Who Oppose War in Gaza: ‘They’re the Best of Us’

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Zack Sharf

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Cannes jury member Paul Laverty ended the festival’s jury press conference by slamming Hollywood for blacklisting actors such as Susan Sarandon who have spoken out against the war in Gaza. The Oscar winner, whose character in “Thelma & Louise” is on the official 2026 Cannes poster, went viral in February after revealing she lost her Hollywood agent after publicly calling for a ceasefire.

“Can I just leave one tiny thing?” Laverty said at the end of the press conference. “The Cannes Film Festival has a wonderful poster. Yes, and isn’t it fascinating to see some of them like Susan Sarandon, Javier Bardem, Mark Ruffalo blacklisted because of their views in opposing the murder of women and children in Gaza? Shame on Hollywood people who do that. My respect and total solidarity to them. They’re the best of us, I look up to them.”

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Cannes Juror Paul Laverty Says 'Shame on Hollywood' for Blacklisting Susan Sarandon and More Actors Who Oppose War in Gaza: 'They're the Best of Us'