Rising Hollywood star Gabriel Basso, known for his lead role in the Oscar-nominated film Hillbilly Elegy, is making waves for his candid criticism of actors who use their platform to push political agendas. In a recent podcast appearance, Basso argued that entertainers need to “shut the f*** up” about politics and focus on their craft.
“We’re saying words that we’re told to say,” the 30-year-old actor asserted bluntly. “We’re told how to say them. We’re told where to stand. And then we’re telling people how to vote? You should be quiet, you should do your job. You should entertain people – then shut the f*** up.”
“We’re court jesters”: Basso’s bold stance
Basso didn’t mince words as he elaborated on his perspective, comparing actors to “court jesters” whose role is to perform for the public’s amusement, not to influence political discourse from a perceived position of authority.
“We’re entertaining. We’re public servants. We’re there to perform, to entertain, and then all of sudden, the jester, because he’s in the courtroom starts to be like: ‘I might want to go sit on the throne!'”
– Gabriel Basso on actors and politics
His comments stand in stark contrast to the overtly political stances taken by many of his acting peers, especially during the most recent election cycle that saw numerous A-list stars stumping for candidates and causes. Basso’s former director on Hillbilly Elegy, Ron Howard, even expressed concern over rhetoric from the campaign of JD Vance – the real-life subject Basso portrayed before Vance became Vice President.
The Hillbilly Elegy connection
Basso acknowledged the surreal connection between his breakout role and Vance’s meteoric political rise, noting that his name will always be linked to the VP’s in relation to the film. “When he’s thinking about his life – they made a movie of his book, and my name will always be in the description,” Basso mused.
Despite ideological differences, Basso said he found Vance to be a “cool dude” when they interacted briefly. But as an actor, he clearly believes he has no business turning that personal impression into a public political endorsement.
Swimming against the Hollywood current
Basso’s call for actors to remain politically neutral puts him at odds with a large contingent of the entertainment industry. The 2024 presidential race saw numerous stars throw their weight behind the Democratic ticket of Kamala Harris and a second term for Donald Trump, with big names like Robert DeNiro and Julia Roberts backing Harris while Trump garnered support from the likes of Mel Gibson and Dennis Quaid.
It remains to be seen whether Basso’s provocative position will resonate with his fellow actors or be drowned out by the clamor of an increasingly activist-oriented Hollywood. At the very least, he’s sparked a conversation about the role and responsibilities of entertainers in the political sphere.
A jester’s humble perspective
For his part, Basso seems content to embrace the “court jester” designation and let his performances speak for themselves rather than risk overstepping into the realm of political punditry. It’s a decidedly old-school approach in an era where celebrity and advocacy are often intertwined.
As the talented young star’s profile continues to rise with high-profile projects like Netflix’s The Night Agent, it will be intriguing to see if his perspective gains traction among actors feeling uneasy about the pressure to play politics. Basso’s bold stance serves as a thought-provoking counterpoint in an industry where staying silent is often seen as tantamount to complicity.
Will more actors heed the call to stick to entertaining and leave the campaigning to the candidates? Gabriel Basso has unabashedly thrown down the gauntlet, challenging his colleagues to reassess the scope of their societal roles. In the process, he’s provided a glimpse of what a less politically charged Hollywood might look like – for better or worse.
