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Kurt Russel: Actors Are Court Jesters

Says celebrities should keep political opinions to themselves

2 comments

 | November 24, 2020

Nov 24 2020

Amid the myriad of celebrities who are openly trashing voters who supported President Trump in the 2020 election, Kurt Russell is voicing a different opinion, which is that celebrities should keep their political opinions to themselves.

“I’ve always been someone who felt we are court jesters. That’s what we do,” The actor said in an interview with The New York Times. “As far as I’m concerned, you should step away from saying anything [about politics] so that you can still be seen by the audience in any character.”  

Russell said that actors are entitled to learn as much as they want about any subject, just like anybody else. But when celebrities speak out about politics, “they lose their status as a court jester. And I’m a court jester,” he said.  

Russell participated in the interview with partner and actress Goldie Hawn, who pointed out that he isn’t always funny. So he elaborated: “A court jester isn’t always funny. A court jester is the only one who can walk into the castle and put the king down as long as he doesn’t hit too close to home. I think that’s been a big, important part of all cultures throughout history, and I’d like to see it stay in ours.”

Hawn said she disagreed with the idea that actors with a platform must use it, calling it their decision.  

The actress Jennifer Lawrence offered a similar opinion recently when she said that she didn’t like talking about politics because she wants everyone to see her movies. That was before she posted a video of herself running up and down the sidewalk in celebration after media outlets called the election for Joe Biden

RELATED: The 2020 Election: Hollywood reacts

Russell’s movie credits include: Escape from New York, Big Trouble in Little China, Overboard, Tango & Cash, Backdraft, Captain Ron, Tombstone, Stargate, Executive Decision, Escape from L.A., Soldier, The Fate of the Furious, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, and Once Upon a time… In Hollywood.

UNDERRATED MOVIE RECOMMENDATION:

Breakdown is a 1997 thriller starring Kurt Russell about a man who must find his wife after she gets abducted during a cross-country road trip. 

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2 Comments

  1. Dear Kurt, I have always enjoyed the many movies that you have been in. I think you are a very fine actor. I really agree with your opinion on hollywood not voicing there views on politics. There are only a handful of actors that I would pay to go see there movies, and you are one of them. Thank you, Ron G.

  2. Right as rain, don’t ever stop being you, hands down your one of my favorite actors, next to Steve Mcqueen. Used Cars was your master piece, you always make me laugh ✌️