Left-wing Hollywood loves to portray itself as a beacon of virtue, trumpeting diversity and inclusion. But that social justice ends where ideology begins, according to actor Stephen Baldwin, who says Tinsel Town won't work with him due to his Christian faith.
Baldwin told The Hollywood Reporter Tuesday that his acting career has suffered substantially since his coming out as a committed Christian. The brother of anti-Trump leftist Alec told reporter Paul Bond:
“It’s unfortunate that because I have believed in Jesus for 15 years that there are many in Hollywood who are unwilling to work with me. That’s not a guess. Casting people and producers have told me that they’ve brought up my name in a room and the response was, ‘No way, we’re not bringing that guy and his Bible over here.'"
Baldwin also lamented the left-wing politics of the entertainment business, and subsequent pressure to keep his conservative viewpoints to himself. The actor said he isn't alone, but success in the industry means hiding one's right-of-center beliefs:
“I have really smart friends who are succeeding quite well as producers, writers, and financiers, and they hold conservative views but they cannot speak their minds -- at all. There’s a large constituency in Hollywood who voted for Trump but will never admit that.”
Additionally, Baldwin joked that, thanks to Republican-led tax reform, his SNL-featured, Trump-hating sibling may find his subsequently increased finances reason to vote for The Donald in the next election:
"Paul, I’m calling it now: With the amount of money Alec is going to make with this new tax cut, I bet he votes for Trump for re-election. Just saying!"
When asked if he was insinuating that the tax bill was merely a cut for the rich, the Usual Suspects star added:
"What I’m saying is that (Alec's) The Boss Baby sequel money is going to go a long way because of Trump."
As to whether conservatism or Christianity is the bigger taboo in Hollywood, Baldwin pontificated:
"Wow. Let me see. Who do I take more persecution from, Trump or Jesus? (Laughs.) That’s an interesting question, my friend. I’m certainly happy we can giggle about it. Humor was invented by Jesus. Please put that in the interview so all those fabulous people in Hollywood can read that Baldwin said Jesus invented humor. But this is why I’m doing (new series exploring what it means to be an American) American Pilgrimage, because we all connect through humor, but we’re losing that joy, that irony of laughing. Let me tell you something: I’m not a Bill Clinton fan, but every time I see video of him playing the saxophone on The Tonight Show, I smile, because it’s a great moment."
Later, Baldwin added:
"I don’t think I ever answered your question — who have I been persecuted more for: Trump or Jesus? The answer is, of course, Jesus. But President Trump is a not-too-far-behind, very close second."
It's a sad statement on Hollywood that either distinction would be anathema to the town responsible for the entertainment of the world.