Why Hollywood’s Reaction to Oct. 7 Stunned Patricia Heaton
'The Middle' alum weighs in on the horrors of antisemitism in Western culture
Patricia Heaton isn’t as politically vocal as Mark Ruffalo, Bruce Springsteen or other celebrities.
She still shares her pro-life views in ways that aren’t divisive or cruel. And, as an openly Christian star, she might not be the first person one imagines taking up the Israeli cause.
She did just that after the horrors of Oct. 7 came to light.
The “Everybody Loves Raymond” alum co-created the Oct. 7 Coalition following the events of that catastrophic day. She saw snippets of the ghoulish videos taken that day that were shared following the terrorist attacks.
She had to do something, she thought at the time, and she assumed she wouldn’t be alone in her actions. Her fellow Americans would surely “rise up enraged” over the atrocities and support Israel.
Instead, she watched the polar opposite unfold in horror.
“Campuses exploded in support of Hamas as did major cities,” she told Dr. Drew Pinsky during their recent podcast chat. The pair talked about acting, faith and the moments that led her to pursue sobriety during their wide-ranging chat.
She credited her newfound sobriety for being able to travel across the country and speak on behalf of not just Israel but the Jewish hostages held by Hamas.
She describes herself as a non-Jewish voice for Jewish people, and she thought she’d be one of many Hollywood stars raging against Hamas.
The recent past proved otherwise.
Actor Javier Bardem says he is refusing to work with any film company that supports Israel.
“I won’t work. I cannot work with somebody that justifies or supports the genocide. I cannot. Simple as that.”
— Oli London (@OliLondonTV) September 15, 2025
Hollywood actors are doing full propaganda videos for Palestinian terrorists now.
This is not that much different from how Hamas used children as human shields.
Here, Mark Ruffalo and Simon Pegg read graphic alleged testimonies from Palestinian detainees.pic.twitter.com/pe4A8UziI5
— Paul A. Szypula (@Bubblebathgirl) March 28, 2026
EXCLUSIVE: Javier Barden, Tilda Swinton and Adam McKay are among 81 names to sign an open latter condemning the Berlin Film Festival for its “silence” on Gaza and its “censoring” of artists who have spoken out.
“We call on the Berlinale to fulfill its moral duty and clearly… pic.twitter.com/P2Sc0nslZB
— Variety (@Variety) February 17, 2026
“You would think all of Hollywood would be on the side of people who are pro-peace, who do everything they can to create peace, who always obey the ceasefires … it’s not always the case,” she said.