Australian actor Guy Pearce has issued a public apology and announced he is stepping back from social media after facing significant backlash for sharing a series of antisemitic posts. The 58-year-old star, best known for his role in The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, acknowledged that his posts contained 'misinformation and falsehoods' and caused widespread distress.
Details of the Controversial Posts
According to a report from Jewish News, Pearce's initial social media activity, which expressed support for Palestine, included sharing content from far-right political activist Nick Fuentes. Fuentes, 27, is known for his America First livestream, which promotes Christian nationalism, white supremacy, anti-LGBTQ+ views, and Holocaust denial.
Further posts shared by the Memento actor allegedly included antisemitic conspiracy theories. These claimed that 'the top three pornography companies are owned by Jewish people', blamed Israel for the 9/11 terror attacks, and accused Israeli officials of orchestrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Earlier in November, Pearce also reportedly shared content from an Instagram account that stated: 'Remember, when Zionists tell you Islam will destroy America… While several major Las Vegas casinos/hotels that have caused gambling addictions, debt and prostitution were created and owned by Jewish Zionists… The Zionists (not Jews) want you to fear the people who stand against the corruption they are creating.'
Pearce's Apology and Social Media Break
When contacted by Jewish News, Pearce offered an apology on November 27, 2025. He stated that it had been brought to his attention that, in his support of Palestine, he had 'inadvertently re-posted articles, and/or statements, that have contained misinformation and falsehoods'.
He expressed deep sorrow for the confusion and distress caused and promised to be more diligent in verifying content he shares online.
Two days later, on November 29, Pearce posted a further statement to his X account, which has over 101,000 followers. He wrote that while he meant his initial apology, he recognised that 'meaningful action must accompany any apology'. To prevent further hurt, he announced he would be 'stepping back from social media for the time being'.
History of Activism and Past Controversies
Pearce has publicly shown support for the Palestinian people on several occasions. He wore a white dove 'Free Palestine' pin badge to this year's Oscars, where he was nominated for his role in The Brutalist. He also wore a Palestine flag badge to the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.
This incident is not the actor's first social media controversy. In 2023, he apologised for a since-deleted tweet questioning whether only transgender actors should play transgender characters, admitting it was 'not a good idea' to raise the conversation involving an 'already-harassed minority'.
Reaction from Campaign Against Antisemitism
Following the latest uproar, a spokesperson for the Campaign Against Antisemitism told Jewish News that while Pearce's apology is a step in the right direction, his past behaviour raises serious concerns.
'His posts have not been harmless activism; they have spread ideas that sit firmly within the canon of classic antisemitism,' the spokesperson said. They added that 'agents, studios, and commercial partners will be watching closely' to see if his behaviour genuinely changes, emphasising that actions, not just words, will determine his future associations.
