Rainn Wilson on Saturday urged Americans to seek compassion and unity after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, praising Kirk’s willingness to speak in hostile settings even as he acknowledged political differences.
In a video posted to social media, the actor said the killing was “disgusting and dangerous” and offered condolences to Kirk’s family, saying hearts go out to “his wife, his kids, and all of his family and supporters.” Wilson, best known for his role on The Office and the host of the Soul Boom podcast, said he did not always agree with Kirk but described him as “a courageous man” who was “unafraid to speak his truth.”
Wilson said political violence is unacceptable and urged people to move beyond reducing tensions in the short term to building “bridges of love and unity” across ideological lines. Quoting author Arthur Brooks, he said Americans must learn to disagree better while recognizing shared commitments to their country and its future. He also warned about the role of social media in stoking division and called for spiritual and communal tools to reduce hatred.
A representative for Wilson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Kirk was killed Sept. 10 while speaking at an event in Orem, Utah. The shooting prompted public reactions from a range of public figures and entertainers who condemned the violence and urged a return to civility in political discourse. Former California governor and actor Arnold Schwarzenegger wrote on social media that “politics has become a disease” and called on people to “find our better angels” and reject violence as a means of settling disputes.
Actor Josh Duhamel posted a photo of Kirk with his family and asked followers to remember that the slain man left behind a wife and two children. Fitness and media personality Jillian Michaels, who described herself as more centrist, said on X that although she and Kirk disagreed on certain topics he had welcomed her to events and onto his podcast. Michaels said the “hatred that has seeped into our culture must stop” and urged leaders across the political spectrum to set better examples.
Wilson’s comments reflect a broader pattern of entertainers responding to the killing by condemning political violence while calling for restored civility. The responses arrive amid heightened concerns about partisan hostility and the effects of online rhetoric on real-world behavior.
Legal and law enforcement authorities continue investigative work into the circumstances of the Orem shooting. Public figures and media outlets have focused attention on the need to address the cultural and social dynamics that can lead to such attacks, even as investigations proceed. Observers noted that calls for unity and reflection on public discourse have come from a variety of voices, including those who differ sharply with Kirk’s views.
Wilson concluded his remarks by asking how society can “dig deeper to find the compassion necessary for a true spiritual revolution,” framing the response to the killing as both an immediate moral imperative and a longer-term cultural challenge. The call for empathy and bridge-building echoed statements from other entertainers who emphasized protecting civil discourse while mourning Kirk’s death.