Actor Alan Ritchson said during a late-August appearance at Fan Expo Canada that studio executives have repeatedly asked him to stop discussing politics in public, telling the convention crowd that he receives calls urging him to stay quiet.
“You know how many phone calls I get from studios like, ‘Would you shut the fuck up, please? Stop talking in public,'” Ritchson told the audience during an on-stage interview about his career and upcoming projects.
He went on to say he isn’t seeking conflict. “I mean, but it’s not chaos I’m after,” he said. “It’s actually the opposite of chaos. I’d like a little — I’m not going to get into it. You don’t want to see my rants start these goddamn fucking politicians everywhere.”
Ritchson added that he would hold off on further comment. “I’m not going to do it. Sony told me not to. And I’m not going to say anything. Not today. Not today, Epstein,” he said, a reference to Jeffrey Epstein that drew cheers from the crowd. When the interviewer offered him a fist bump for his political remarks, Ritchson replied, “Pedos win.”
The comments came about a week before Ritchson announced he and his wife of 20 years, Catherine Ritchson, are ending their marriage.
“Cat and I have decided to end our marriage and continue alongside each other in a different way,” Ritchson, 43, wrote on Instagram. “We grew up together. We built a life and family together. And we are raising three incredible boys who will always be the center of our world. Nothing can diminish what these years have meant to us — or the love and respect we will always share.”
A history of pointed political statements
Ritchson, who stars in Amazon’s “Reacher,” has made a series of blunt political statements in recent months. In July, he referred to President Trump as a “rapist” and said Republicans are “pedophiles,” without citing evidence for either claim. He also called Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz a “motherfucker,” argued that Christians cannot simultaneously support Trump and Republicans, and suggested Americans should act on anger toward Trump, including defending those who commit political violence against him.
In March, Ritchson was recorded in an altercation with a neighbor. He later said the neighbor had started the confrontation.
Mental health disclosures
Ritchson has previously spoken publicly about struggling with bipolar disorder. Last year he said he became severely depressed as his acting career was accelerating and attempted suicide.
“Being bipolar has wreaked havoc on my life many, many times,” he said at the time. “I would wish it away if I could, but it’s so much a part of who I am now that I should celebrate it a little or, at least, accept it.”
