Mark Ruffalo urged Disney to restore Jimmy Kimmel’s late-night show, warning that the company’s share price would “go down a lot further” if ABC cancels the program. In a weekend Threads post amplifying reports of recent market slippage, the actor argued that keeping Kimmel off the air risks deeper damage to the brand and investor confidence. His remarks added a high-profile voice to a growing chorus of industry figures pressing for Kimmel’s return.
ABC suspended “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on September 17 after the host’s comments following the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, a move that came amid pointed warnings from the Federal Communications Commission and as major affiliate groups temporarily pulled the show. The decision ignited protests outside Disney facilities and prompted calls from entertainers and labor groups to reinstate the longtime host.
Disney shares have eased in recent sessions as the fallout reverberates, with investors weighing potential advertiser blowback and regulatory crosscurrents against the company’s broader entertainment strategy. Ruffalo’s post singled out the stock slide while pressing Disney not to “be the ones that broke America,” underscoring how a programming dispute has spilled into a wider debate over speech, politics, and corporate risk.
Kimmel’s future remains unresolved as executives explore options to bring the show back, even as the episode draws scrutiny to the leverage regulators can exert over broadcast outlets. Analysts say the controversy lands at a sensitive moment for the company’s relationships with affiliates, sponsors, and policymakers, raising the stakes for any next steps.
