Hollywood Reacts to ‘Charlie Hebdo’ Shooting

Bette Midler, Gilles Marini, and Julianne Moore are among the many stars who have expressed their sorrow and heartbreak after gunmen shot and killed 12 staff members at French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo on Wednesday.

At least two suspects stormed the publication’s Paris offices and opened fire, gunning down 12 people and leaving four others critically injured in what French President Francois Hollande has branded a “terrorist attack”.

Editors of the weekly Charlie Hebdo magazine have previously published controversial cartoons of the Muslim Prophet Mohammed, infuriating devout members of Islam as depictions of religious figures are typically frowned upon. Wednesday’s attack is believed to be related to that controversy.

The tragedy has prompted an outpouring of sympathy and support from a slew of celebrities, with Moore taking to Twitter to write, “I am heartbroken by the loss of life and attack on freedom of expression”, while Midler posts, “There are no words. How many times have we said that in the last few years? Religious war comes to the doors of our homes. I think I have to go light some candles and say some prayers.”

I am heartbroken by the loss of life and attack on freedom of expression. #JeSuisCharlie

— Julianne Moore (@_juliannemoore) January 7, 2015

There are no words. How many times have we said that in the last few years? Religious war comes to the doors of our homes.

— Bette Midler (@BetteMidler) January 7, 2015

French actor Gilles Marini has shared his outrage in a series of posts, which read: “Shame on what happened in France today. Governments around the world TOGETHER must stop those vermin”. He then adds, “To all Fanatics, extremist and devil (sic) that believe that God ask them to do that (sic). You’re wrong and manipulated.”

Shame on what happened in #France today. Governments around the world TOGETHER must stop those vermin. #CharlieHebdo #FreedomOfSpeech

— Gilles Marini (@GillesMarini) January 7, 2015

An angry Moby writes, “islamic extremists are willing to kill innocent people over CARTOONS?? what the f**k? what sort of deity can’t handle a cartoon? here are some options if you’re offended by a cartoon: a-don’t look at it. or b-make a funnier cartoon. killing people is not an option”.

islamic extremists are willing to kill innocent people over CARTOONS?? what the fuck? what sort of deity can't handle a cartoon?

— moby Ⓥ (@thelittleidiot) January 7, 2015

here are some options if you're offended be a cartoon: a-don't look at it. or b-make a funnier cartoon. killing people is not an option

— moby Ⓥ (@thelittleidiot) January 7, 2015

Others who have tweeted about the shooting include Jamie Lee Curtis, Elijah Wood, Nancy Sinatra, Pete Wentz, OneRepublic, Nicki Minaj and Nicky Hilton.

In honor of those brave artists in Paris who died 4 truth I offer this Bob Mankoff cartoon. #MakeChange. #FreeSpeech! pic.twitter.com/Gr9kFflEPL

— Jamie Lee Curtis (@Curtisleejamie) January 7, 2015

So sorry to hear this > RT @FoxNews: France's top security official confirms that 3 gunmen carried out attack http://t.co/e6okh4IDKw”

— NICKI MINAJ (@NICKIMINAJ) January 7, 2015

My thoughts are with the victims and their families in Paris. #CharlieHebdo #JeSuisCharlie

— Elijah Wood (@woodelijah) January 7, 2015

At the time of publication, the gunmen were still at large.

Among the dead are Charlie Hebdo founder Georges Wolinski and fellow famed cartoonists Jean ‘Cabu’ Cabut, Stephane ‘Charb’ Charbonnier and Bernard ‘Tignous’ Verlhac.

Photo Credit:Jaguar PS / Shutterstock.com/lev radin / Shutterstock.com