Gene Simmons Says It’s Time for Mark Ruffalo and Ben Stiller to “Shut Their Piehole” About Politics

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Gene Simmons recently criticized celebrities such as Ben Stiller and Mark Ruffalo for sharing their political opinions. He believes actors and entertainers should focus on their work and stay out of political discussions, stating that the public isn’t interested in hearing their views – and he personally doesn’t care for it either.

Gene Simmons, a founding member of the band KISS, has publicly criticized actors Ben Stiller and Mark Ruffalo, telling them to stop voicing their opinions.

Most people work hard to earn a living, and they’re tired of being told what to do by those who are wealthy and out of touch. It’s time for those privileged individuals to stop offering unwanted advice.

— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) March 11, 2026

Fox News reported that TMZ questioned Simmons about Ben Stiller’s criticism of President Trump for using scenes from the movie Tropic Thunder. Stiller had called those clips “war propaganda” and TMZ asked Simmons if he thought that was a fair assessment. Simmons quickly dismissed Stiller’s opinion, sarcastically responding, “Yeah, yeah, because actors and comedians are always the most qualified people to listen to.”

Why Simmons Thinks Hollywood Should Stay Out of Politics

Simmons argued that people generally don’t care about celebrities’ opinions or political choices – including his own. He believes celebrities like Ben Stiller and Mark Ruffalo are out of touch with everyday Americans. He explained that most people work hard for a living and don’t want to be told what to think by those who live a very privileged lifestyle, like owning mansions and driving luxury cars.

Simmons then made fun of Mark Ruffalo, jokingly calling him “Mark Buffalo” and adding that he doesn’t care about Ruffalo’s political opinions. He finished the interview by stating he believes celebrities should generally stay out of political discussions.

Ruffalo, Stiller, and the Controversies That Sparked Criticism

Simmons remarks targeting Ruffalo and Stiller didn’t come out of nowhere.

I’ve noticed Mark Ruffalo, who I love as The Hulk, has been speaking out a lot more about politics lately. At the Golden Globes in January, he made some really strong statements about Trump, calling him a convicted felon and using some very harsh language about alleged sexual assault and abuse. I’ve seen some people online saying those statements could potentially cause legal trouble for him. He’s also been very critical of the President’s handling of Venezuela, saying he seems to be making decisions based on his personal beliefs rather than what’s right.

Recent attention on Ben Stiller came after a disagreement regarding his comedy film, Tropic Thunder. A video released by the White House promoting potential military action in Iran unexpectedly included a short clip from the movie. Stiller protested this use of footage and requested it be taken down. He posted on X (formerly Twitter), stating they never authorized its use and didn’t want to be involved in what he called propaganda, emphasizing that “War is not a movie.”

To the White House: We request you take down the clip from Tropic Thunder. We did not authorize its use and do not want to be associated with any political messaging. War is a serious matter, not entertainment.

— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) March 6, 2026

For Simmons, that kind of political engagement is precisely the problem.

Simmons’ View vs. Hollywood Activism

Today, celebrities can connect with huge audiences through social media, and many feel a responsibility to speak out about issues they care about. However, Russell Simmons, a well-known figure long before platforms like X, Instagram, and BlueSky existed, sees things differently. His comments echo a feeling among some viewers that Hollywood is relying more and more on movies and TV shows to push political agendas.

Simmons has also challenged actors like Stiller and Ruffalo to simply focus on their work, a stance that isn’t necessarily well-received in Hollywood. Regardless of whether you agree with him, his comments bring up a continuing discussion about how much political involvement is appropriate for entertainers.

Do you agree with Gene Simmons about celebrities and politics? Sound off in the comments!

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2026-03-12 14:57