Jimmy Kimmel’s suspension has become one of the most talked-about TV controversies of the year, sparking widespread debate about comedy, free speech and the boundaries of late-night television.

The action was taken after Kimmel made remarks about the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk – claiming the shooter was part of the MAGA movement. The network ruled his comments inappropriate, while Nexstar said the comedian’s remarks about Kirk were “offensive and insensitive at a critical time in our national political discourse”.

The decision to pull the late-night show “indefinitely” quickly drew criticism from across Hollywood, the music industry, politics and the media.

Truth Wins Out (TWO), a nonprofit dedicated to exposing extremism, said the move was part of a rightwing “Cancel Crusade” that has “weaponised outrage to silence dissent and intimidate media outlets.”

In a statement, they said: “This is a new McCarthyism that has expanded the boundaries of ‘woke’ to once unimaginable dimensions. It is chilling the free press and punishing truth‑tellers.”

Within days, dozens of well-known figures had voiced support for the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host. Ben Stiller, Rosie O’Donnell, Alison Brie, Justin Theroux, Jon Cryer, Josh Gad, Justine Lupe and Alex Edelman were among the actors who backed him.

Halsey and John Legend joined from the music world, while politicians including Senator Cory Booker, Governor Gavin Newsom and Representative Jasmine Crockett all condemned the suspension. Journalists and media personalities such as Chris Hayes, Geraldo Rivera and Don Lemon also spoke out.

Here are nine of the most significant celebrity statements defending Jimmy Kimmel.