Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem publicly backed the Palestinian cause on the Emmys red carpet Sunday, aligning himself with a recent pledge by more than 1,800 entertainment industry workers to boycott working with Israeli film companies.
Bardem, 56, spoke to Variety at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles and urged viewers to support “Free Palestine,” saying he was “denouncing the genocide in Gaza” and referencing findings by the International Association of Genocide Scholars. He called for a commercial and diplomatic blockade and sanctions on Israel, and said he and others are organizing under the banner Film Workers for Palestine. Bardem added that the group targets companies and institutions it views as complicit, not individuals because of their identity.
The remarks came as the television industry gathered for the 77th Emmy Awards, held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live and broadcast live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+. Grammy-nominated comedian Nate Bargatze made his debut as host of the three-hour ceremony, which began at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.
Severance led the field with 27 nominations, including a Best Drama Series nod and multiple acting category mentions. HBO’s The Penguin followed with 24 nominations. Apple TV+’s The Studio and HBO’s The White Lotus season three each received 23 nominations. Other highly nominated programs included The Last of Us with 16 nominations and both Andor and Hacks with 14 each. The Bear, newcomers The Pitt and Adolescence all drew multiple nominations, and Shrinking earned Harrison Ford his first-ever Emmy nod.
Industry veterans and film figures were among those nominated or present. Filmmakers Martin Scorsese and Ron Howard received acting nominations for guest appearances on The Studio. A wide slate of presenters and attendees included Elizabeth Banks, Angela Bassett, Jason Bateman, Kathy Bates, Kristen Bell, Sterling K. Brown, Stephen Colbert, Jennifer Coolidge, Jude Law, Jenna Ortega, Sarah Paulson, Sofia Vergara and Catherine Zeta-Jones.
Bargatze, 46, told CBS in interviews ahead of the broadcast that he planned to avoid “mean” jokes in his opening set and intended to keep the tone of the show light. He was also nominated in two categories for his stand-up special Your Friend, Nate Bargatze: Best Variety Special and Best Writing for a Variety Special.
The red carpet show of political statements followed the public circulation earlier this month of a pledge signed by more than 1,800 entertainment workers to boycott Israeli film companies. The pledge was organized as the international community marked nearly two years since Hamas attacked an Israeli music festival, an event that has intensified debate and activism across arts and entertainment sectors.
Bardem’s comments reflected a strand of activism within the entertainment industry that has gained visibility in recent months. In his Variety interview he reiterated a distinction he said organizers are making between targeting corporations and institutions they deem complicit and singling out individuals because of their identities. He said the movement is growing as Film Workers for Palestine attracts more participants.
Ceremony coverage focused both on awards competition and the presence of political statements among nominees and presenters. The show’s top contenders included established series and newcomers alike, with attention on potential repeat winners such as Jean Smart, who has multiple past wins in comedy acting categories, and on series that blurred film-and-television lines by featuring high-profile film directors and actors.
Organizers and networks continued normal broadcast operations despite the demonstrative messages on the carpet. The Emmys proceeded with scheduled performances, presentations and awards across drama, comedy, limited series, acting, writing and technical categories. Viewers and industry observers noted that the presence of political expressions underscored continuing tensions in Hollywood as creators and workers balance award-season promotion with activism and public policy debates.