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You would think a Hollywood agent dropping a client would be no big deal, but this is America in 2018, so conservative actor James Woods getting dropped by his "political liberal" agent became the latest Twitter battleground.
Woods himself broke the story, sharing the email he received from Gersh Agency partner Ken Kaplan on Twitter. In the email, Kaplan said, "It's the 4th of July and I'm feeling patriotic. I don't want to represent you anymore."
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James Woods Dropped by 'Patriotic' Talent Agent on 4th of July
View StoryTo his credit, Woods was cordial in his response, which he posted in a follow-up tweet. "I was thinking if you're feeling patriotic, you would appreciate free speech and one's right to think as an individual," Woods wrote. "Be that as it may, I want to thank you for all your hard work and devotion on my behalf. Be well."
While both men were fairly professional and courteous in their response -- with the snark edge going to Kaplan's initial email -- the response on Twitter has been anything but. Woods' name quickly rose toward the top of the trending terms list, with over 35,000 mentions so far, as the usual political commentators in Hollywood and beyond pulled out their verbal ammo and went to war.
"Parks and Recreation" creator Michael Schur tweeted, "For the record, Woods didn't lose his agent because he's conservative. He didn't lose his agent because he can't make money anymore, or because he isn't a good actor. He lost his agent because no one wants to work with virulent racist assholes."
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View StoryOn the flip side, actor Dean Caine tweeted, "This is far from 'patriotic' Ken. I think James Woods will be fine, and seems to have handled this with class."
There were hilariously savage memes and jokes about the state of Woods' career, which paired nicely with a heaping serving of conservative outrage and liberal jubilation. Below are some of the most entertaining reactions from every side of the political spectrum:
For the record, Woods didn't lose his agent because he's conservative. He didn't lose his agent because he can't make money anymore, or because he isn't a good actor. He lost his agent because no one wants to work with virulent racist assholes.
@KenTremendous
Shedding no tears for James Woods. pic.twitter.com/AFdOqT15sO
@warrenleightTV
It's cute that James Woods thinks he's been blacklisted by Hollywood because he's conservative. Adam Sandler, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, Clint Eastwood and the Rock have all been prominently conservative during their careers and are still working a ton.
@adamcbest
If James Woods brings 8 people, I can get him a solid five minute set in front of some industry.
@MikeDrucker
james woods' imdb page shows him doing pretty steady voice work up until last year. kind of a weird way for hollywood to freeze out an outspoken conservative by... hiring him?
@owillis
Who is James Woods?
@GovHowardDean
I'd gladly represent him. #KenKaplan, I mean. Who's James Woods?
@IAmJohnAles
James Woods dropped by his agent on the 4th of July pic.twitter.com/81ZwKzc54V
@jolaurit
I HAVE MORE RESPECT FOR "AMERICAN ICON JAMES WOODS" THAN THE ATTIRE HOLLYWOOD PUT TOGETHER. THE SUPERSTAR IS AS REAL AS THEY COME & HE TELL IT THE WAY IT IS. 🇱🇷IF SUPERSTAR JAMES WOODS DECIDED TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT HE WOULD DEFINITELY HAVE MY VOTE.🇱🇷 JAMES WOODS IS AMERICA🇱🇷
@EdwardAshton30
James Woods thinks he's been blacklisted in Hollywood because he's a conservative.
@ashleylynch
Sorry, James, it's not because you're a conservative... pic.twitter.com/izCWwBIAH6
When I see James Woods was fired. pic.twitter.com/xXiOyBP0bg
@EmmReef
Pretty sure this makes James Woods literally the only casualty of the #SecondCivilWar https://t.co/mmOd6jiTRd
@EricHaywood
This is far from "patriotic" Ken. I think @RealJamesWoods will be fine, and seems to have handled this with class. https://t.co/CcHY2Gwp3X
@RealDeanCain
Breaking News: Donald Trump nominates actor James Woods to the Supreme Court.
@johniadarola
I mean, he didn't, but its scary how easy it is to believe.
James Woods is just the latest. It's been this way for a long time. The Entertainment Industry as a whole is part of the machine my generation raged against - a bunch of wanna-be revolutionaries who can't think for themselves and, as a result, don't even know they're the machine.
@Peoples_Pundit
James Woods got dropped by his agent for refusing to do Videodrome 2
@MilesKlee
James Woods' agent dropping him because he was feeling patriotic. pic.twitter.com/l0MXxYViQb
@GraceDoran
James Woods does not need an agent to book auto shows and grocery store openings.
@tomservo10
James Woods spends his day on Twitter being the angry old white man and gets dropped by his talent agent.
@saysmarco00
Womp womp.
James Woods had an agent? #BuryTheLede
@tomservo10
James Woods' agent dropping him right before Sharknado 6 begins casting is pretty fucked up
@UweBollocks
Bakeries refuse to make wedding cakes for gay people.
@JRehling
Conservatives: That's their right of religious expression.
Agent drops James Woods.
Conservatives: pic.twitter.com/cc6UEE7y8T
James Woods finally got dropped after all of this time of making racist, hateful statements on twitter constantly. Plus, after he talked about Trump Supporters arming themselves in retaliation against Maxine Waters. pic.twitter.com/KBRKcbHE29
@AwesomeBamon
James Woods It's not so much your 'conservative' viewpoints ... it's more you're a giant dickhead about it.
@RepublicanSwine
Auntie Maxine Waters urges people to peacefully protest against fascist regime officials in public spaces.
@TheRickyDavila
James Woods urges people on Twitter to get armed because of what Maxine Waters said.
See the difference?
James Woods' agent be like: pic.twitter.com/PKWZL1S239
@FlyingVGoddess
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