Jimmy Kimmel cancellation slammed by 'scared' Hollywood stars and fans as ABC branded 'cowards'

Ben Stiller, Jamie Lee Curtis and other stars have rallied around Jimmy Kimmel after his ABC show was cancelled over controversial remarks he made about the death of Conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Early this morning, a spokesperson for network ABC said that it was pulling Jimmy Kimmel Live off the air indefinitely after 22 years.

"Jimmy Kimmel Live will be pre-empted indefinitely," they said. It came after the comedian and presenter made comments during his show about the death of Charlie Kirk. He said on Monday night during his monologue: "The Maga Gang desperately trying to characterise this kid who murdered Charlie Kirk as anything other than one of them and doing everything they can to score political points from it."

Now, Hollywood stars have hit out at ABC's decision, while fans of the show have branded ABC's parent company Disney as "cowards" over the move.

READ MORE: Donald Trump responds with glee as Jimmy Kimmel show axed over Charlie Kirk comments

READ MORE: Jimmy Kimmel's savage reaction to ABC's decision to axe his late-night show

"This isn't right," Ben Stiller wrote on social media. Meanwhile, Jamie Lee Curtis reposted a photo of Kimmel to her Instagram story, along with a quote from his interview back in April 2025: "I don't think anybody should be cancelled. I really don't."

Happy Days' Henry Winkler took to X to praise Kimmel, writing: "@jimmykimmel his humor, his insights are important to keep showing us who we are . AND he is a most wonderful fellow."

Singer John Legend also weighed in by sharing a post by former speechwriter David Frum. It read: "How dare you call us fascists just because our appointees threaten government retaliation against broadcast networks if their comedians don't say what we want them to say."

Orange is the New Black's Mike Birbiglia shared a written note to his Instagram, which read: "I've spent a lot of time in public and private defending comedians i don't agree with. If you're a comedian and you don't call out the insanity of pulling Kimmel off the air - don't bother spouting off about free speech anymore."

Meanwhile, Curb Your Enthusiasm's Wanda Sykes said in a video on Instagram: "Let’s see. He didn’t end the Ukraine war or solve Gaza within his first week. But he did end freedom of speech within his first year. Hey, for those of you who pray, now’s the time to do it. Love you, Jimmy."

Community's Alison Brie wrote on Instagram: "This is unreal. And very scary." While Frozen's Josh Gad added: "I see we are at the passive participation of authoritarianism now. God help us all."

Fans also took to social media to rage about the decision, with one writing on X: "THIS IS ABSOLUTE B******T: Disney is pulling Jimmy Kimmel's show "indefinitely" because he made some comments about Charlie Kirk. Bending the knee to fascism again? F**k you, @Disney cowards. I STAND WITH JIMMY KIMMEL."

Another wrote: "The fact that Jimmy Kimmel just got pulled off the air for what he said should REALLY scare everyone."

A third said: "Imagine firing Jimmy Kimmel for speaking his truth? It's joke of the century. They should get Piers Morgan to come host a few talk shows and he definitely speaks his truth without holding back. America has lost the plot."

Earlier this week, 22-year-old Tyler Robinson was charged with aggravated murder after conservative activist Kirk was shot in the neck during a rally at Utah Valley University last Wednesday.

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