Mark Ruffalo Warns Disney of Financial Fallout Over Jimmy Kimmel Suspension
The suspension of Jimmy Kimmel Live! has sent shockwaves through Hollywood, sparking debates that extend far beyond late-night television. Now, Marvel star Mark Ruffalo, best known for playing Hulk in The Avengers, has issued a serious warning to Disney: if the show is permanently canceled, the company could suffer devastating financial consequences.
Mark Ruffalo Defends Jimmy Kimmel
Ruffalo took to his Threads account to react to reports of Disney’s stock drop following the Jimmy Kimmel controversy. Sharing a news piece highlighting the decline, the actor cautioned:
“It’s going to fall much further if they cancel his show. Disney doesn’t want to be remembered as the company that broke America.”
Coming from an actor so closely tied to Disney and Marvel, his defense carried significant weight in the heated debate.
Why Was Jimmy Kimmel Suspended?
The controversy began when Jimmy Kimmel criticized conservative reactions to the killing of Charlie Kirk during his monologue. His comments provoked strong backlash, including condemnation from FCC chairman Brendan Carr, who accused Kimmel of misleading the public.
The situation escalated when major media conglomerates Nexstar and Sinclair, owners of many ABC affiliates, announced they would not air the show. Under pressure from affiliates and advertisers, Disney CEO Bob Iger and TV chief Dana Walden suspended the program just hours before its scheduled taping.
What Disney initially hoped would be a temporary measure quickly grew into a national free-speech controversy. Even former U.S. President Barack Obama criticized the move, calling it “a dangerous new level” of political pressure on media.
The Financial and Social Impact on Disney
The fallout has been both political and financial. Thousands of users began canceling subscriptions to Disney+, Hulu, and ESPN+, using the hashtag #BoycottDisney. Actor Misha Collins tweeted:
“I’m canceling my @DisneyPlus indefinitely.”
Former political advisor Christopher Hale added:
“I believe in free markets and free speech, so I canceled @DisneyPlus, @Hulu, and @ESPNPlus. Retweet if you’re with me.”
Protests have also erupted outside Disney’s Burbank studios, with demonstrators carrying signs such as “Disney, stop bowing to a dictator.” Actor Jake Ferree declared:
“This affects every aspect of free speech. Art should allow us to express ourselves freely.”
Meanwhile, reports suggest Disney may have lost nearly $3.87 billion in market value due to the backlash, though this figure remains unconfirmed. However, what is confirmed is that advertising revenue from Jimmy Kimmel Live! reached $51.1 million in 2024, representing 21% of all late-night TV ad spending (Variety).
Disney’s Stormy Future
With negotiations about Kimmel’s possible return ongoing, Disney faces a perfect storm: political pressure, reputational damage, subscriber boycotts, and shareholder concerns.
As Mark Ruffalo warned, this battle is no longer just about late-night comedy — it could directly threaten Disney’s financial stability.
