John Malkovich Withdraws From Israel Event Amid Fake Quotes Controversy

Actor John Malkovich has withdrawn from a planned performance in Israel after promotional material for the show attributed statements to him that he says he never made.

The Oscar-nominated actor had been set to appear in “The Music Critic,” a satirical musical he has toured internationally for nearly two decades, at Tel Aviv’s Charles Bronfman Auditorium in April. The dispute surfaced after a press release from a public relations firm working with the show’s Israeli promoter included remarks framed as coming from Malkovich, describing enthusiasm about performing in Israel and a bond with local audiences. Malkovich said he only learned of the comments after they had already been published, first in The Jerusalem Post and later picked up by The Hollywood Reporter.

He said a PR company hired by the Israeli promoter had written the quotes attributed to him without ever consulting him, and that the words did not reflect anything he actually said or believed. Calling it unacceptable for invented remarks to be presented as his own direct statements, he said he could no longer take part in the Tel Aviv date.

Malkovich also stressed that performing in any country, including his own, does not amount to endorsing that nation’s government or policies, and does not signal support for any political cause, violence or wrongdoing.

The publicity firm has apologized for the mistake, and the Israeli producer has acknowledged the error. Malkovich previously performed in Israel in 2008 and 2013, and the Tel Aviv date had been planned as one stop on a wider tour through Europe and the Middle East.

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