Gene Simmons had some blunt words for celebrities like Ben Stiller and Mark Ruffalo who engage in political commentary. “It’s time for everybody in the entertainment industry to shut their piehole and just do your art,” Simmons said. “Nobody cares what you think. I don’t.”
BREAKING – KISS cofounder Gene Simmons says it is time for celebrities like Ben Stiller and Mark Ruffalo to “shut the f*ck up.”
“People work hard for a living, and they don’t want to be lectured by people who live in mansions and drive Rolls-Royces. It’s time to shut up.” pic.twitter.com/8nXNhHU5z6
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) March 11, 2026
According to Fox News, Simmons was approached by TMZ. An interviewer mentioned Stiller calling out President Trump for using clips from Tropic Thunder that he called “war propaganda” and asked Simmons if he thought that was “fair.” The KISS frontman dismissed Stiller’s opinions with a sarcastic remark. “Yeah, yeah,” he said, “Because everybody in the world should listen to what actors and comedians say because they’re so qualified.”
Why Simmons Thinks Hollywood Should Stay Out of Politics
Simmons went on to argue that nobody is interested in what celebrities think or who they vote for. “That includes me,” he added, “who I vote for, who I like.” The issue, as Simmons explained it, is that celebrities like Stiller and Ruffalo are disconnected from much of the country. “People in America work hard for their living and they don’t want to be lectured to by people who live in mansions and drive Rolls-Royces.”
Gene Simmons and KISS honored at the Kennedy Awards – The Trump Kennedy Center, YouTube
Continuing, Simmons mocked Mark Ruffalo—whom he called “Mark Buffalo”—saying, “What does Mark think about politics? I don’t care.” The interview concluded with Simmons saying he feels all celebrities should avoid talking about politics.
Ruffalo, Stiller, and the Controversies That Sparked Criticism
Simmons remarks targeting Ruffalo and Stiller didn’t come out of nowhere.
In recent months, Mark Ruffalo, best known for playing The Hulk in Disney’s MCU, has amplified his political opinions. On the red carpet at January’s Golden Globes, the actor said Trump is “a convicted felon, a convicted rap**t, he’s a ped****le.” Some commentators have suggested such claims could raise legal questions if they were pursued in court. He also criticized the President’s recent actions in Venezuela, arguing that he was ruling based on “his own morality.”
Marvel actor Mark Ruffalo – YouTube, The Graham Norton Show
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The discussion around Stiller intensified recently after a controversy involving the satirical war comedy Tropic Thunder. A promotional video released by the White House about military strikes on Iran included a brief clip from the film. Stiller objected to the use of the footage and publicly asked that the clip be removed. “We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine,” the comedian wrote on X. “War is not a movie.”
Hey White House, please remove the Tropic Thunder clip. We never gave you permission and have no interest in being a part of your propaganda machine. War is not a movie. https://t.co/dMQqRxxVCa
— Ben Stiller (@BenStiller) March 6, 2026
For Simmons, that kind of political engagement is precisely the problem.
Simmons’ View vs. Hollywood Activism
In an age where social media allows actors, musicians, and other public figures to reach millions instantly, many celebrities feel compelled to use their visibility to advocate for their causes. Simmons, who was an icon decades before X, Instagram, and BlueSky, has a different perspective. His remarks reflect a frustration shared by some audiences who feel that Hollywood increasingly uses entertainment platforms as vehicles for political messaging.
Jack Black as Jeff Portnoy, Robert Downey Jr. as Kirk Lazarus, and Ben Stiller as Tugg Speedman in Tropic Thunder – Paramount
Yet Simmons has also issued a call to action of sorts to Stiller, Ruffalo, and others. “Just do your art” may not be popular in Hollywood. Whether one agrees with Simmons or not, his remarks highlight an ongoing cultural debate about where the line between entertainment and political activism should be drawn.
Do you agree with Gene Simmons about celebrities and politics? Sound off in the comments!
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