Celebrities Release Video Honoring Late-Night Host's Final Show

A group of Hollywood actors released a video message ahead of the final broadcast of a late-night television program. The Committee for the First Amendment, founded by Jane Fonda, produced the tribute and stated its intent to continue advocacy efforts.

The video features Jane Fonda, Mark Ruffalo, Ariana Debose, Harvey Guillen, Alan Cumming, Sally Field, Yvette Nicole Brown, Connie Britton, Bradley Whitfield, Ted Danson, and Mary Steenburgen. Participants described the host's use of humor to address public issues and expressed concern about the program's conclusion.

The message states that the host used humor to bring joy while holding power accountable over more than a decade. It notes the participation of multiple performers and outlines the committee's view that recent actions against media outlets represent challenges to free expression.

The script adds that the committee draws inspiration from an earlier group formed during the McCarthy era. It lists historical figures including Lauren Bacall, Lucille Ball, Judy Garland, Humphrey Bogart, Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Henry Fonda as prior members.

The Committee for the First Amendment describes itself as having more than 3,000 members from the entertainment industry. It states its goal is to defend the First Amendment and respond to government attempts at censorship through non-violent means.