Selma Blair allegedly attacked four people. Can his career survive?

Things were finally looking up for Selma Blair.

Her multiple sclerosis, in remission for nearly five years thanks to intensive treatment including chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, seemed manageable under the care of neurologists and doctors, although it still tired her. She had dusted off the remaining ashes of an explosive social media scandal that erupted in 2024 when she posted an incendiary comment on Instagram and pieced together a team of reps that guided her to a handful of new acting jobs.

So it made sense that she would stand and take center stage behind a podium at the ADL’s State of the Arts: An Evening at the Jewish Museum event on Oct. 1 to share how she picked up the pieces and lessons learned along the way. But first, the 54-year-old, accompanied at the event by an English Labrador service dog named Scout, detailed the devastation of losing his career and the team that supported it, including the CAA agency, a manager, a lawyer, personal publicists and books. She lost brand contracts, checks for completed work and even her son’s godmother. Not only did the phone stop ringing, but she was blocked by confidants, some of whom had been by her side for 30 years, ever since she started acting.

“Two years ago I learned what erasure looks like,” she said from the podium that evening, referring to the meltdown caused by a comment widely criticized as anti-Islamic on Instagram under a video posted by immigration reform advocate Abraham Hamra in February 2024. The words that lit the fire: “Expel all these morons who support terrorism. Islam destroyed Muslim countries, then they came here and destroyed the minds. They know they are liars. May they meet their fate.”

She deleted the comment and later apologized for “mistakenly and inadvertently” confusing Muslims with radical Islamists and fundamentalists. It was, she said, “a terrible mistake in my words” that harmed countless people. But the damage was done.

Blair said she had already spent years “recovering” her career amid her high-profile battle with MS, and was not ready to throw in the towel. She put her head down and did it again for two years. Blair beamed as he talked about finding work again, roles that include an upcoming stint on Criminal Minds: Evolution and two independent films, Schmoolie the Death Watcher And Ethan Almighty. Blair also announced to the ADL audience that she was making a documentary about anti-Semitism called Hinenia Hebrew word that translates to “Here I am”.

She credited her “best friend,” a lawyer who refused to abandon her and who is now part of her “small” but mighty team of representatives: attorney Joshua T. Reitzas at Berlandi Nussbaum & Reitzas, manager Oren Segal and Jill Fritzo PR. “I know I’ve had a lucky life,” she said. “And of course, we know that life is better now than it was then. I now have a team that I would walk through fire with.”

A fire was waiting around the corner.

On Sunday, October 11, while traveling from Los Angeles to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport aboard Delta Flight 938, Blair allegedly assaulted two flight attendants by hitting one and biting another. She also allegedly attempted to open the plane’s door at one point during the flight. The New York Port Authority Police Department confirmed The Hollywood Reporter that Blair was stopped at the door and taken to the hospital for evaluation.

Then more chaos. A police officer transporting her to Jamaica Hospital Medical Center claims Blair removed her bound leg and used it to repeatedly kick her “around the face, neck and chest, causing severe pain and significant swelling,” according to charging documents detailed by the Associated Press. Blair also allegedly kicked a nurse in the chest, a blow that caused “significant pain.”

Less than 24 hours after the alleged assaults, Blair faced Judge Indira Khan in a Queens, New York, courtroom, where she was accompanied by Reitzas and attorney Shawn Barnes. She has pleaded not guilty to two counts of assault. Separate charges from the FBI are expected, as the agency is responsible for investigating all aviation incidents.

It was an emotional and at times tense scene in the courtroom. Blair had tears in her eyes as her team struggled to explain what had happened. Barnes said his client had not taken medication to manage her MS and had worked “long hours and exhaustive hours” before the flight. At one point during the trip, she also hit her head on an embankment, an injury also reported by the pilot when he called for reinforcements at the gate. “These factors, coupled with the altitude, led to a state of severe confusion and disorientation,” Barnes said.

Reitzas asked the court to show leniency in a nod to Blair’s career and advocacy: “Look at her body of work and what she’s done for people. She’s someone we should look up to. She’s the benchmark.”

Outside of the case — Blair’s next court date is Jan. 19, and she could face two to seven years in prison — there’s an obvious outstanding question regarding this body of work. Will Blair manage to save her career from yet another scandal?

This week’s incident was not Blair’s first on a flight. In June 2016, Blair, who was returning to Los Angeles after a vacation in Cancun, Mexico, began screaming uncontrollably and causing chaos on the plane. Two nurses helped subdue the actress, who was taken to hospital for evaluation. Blair later apologized and claimed she passed out after mixing prescription drugs and alcohol.

“I made a big mistake yesterday. After a wonderful trip with my son and his father, I mixed alcohol with medication, which caused me to pass out and lead me to say and do things that I deeply regret,” Blair said in a statement at the time. “I take this very seriously and I apologize to all the passengers and crew members I inconvenienced and I am grateful to everyone who helped me afterwards. I am an imperfect human being who makes mistakes and I am filled with shame because of this incident. I am truly, truly sorry.”

She also has a history of biting people. As his memoirs reveal, Mean Baby: A Memoir of Growing UpBlair has managed to sink her teeth into Sienna Miller, Seth MacFarlane and Kate Moss. She blamed these incidents on social anxiety or awkwardness, writing that her system is “overwhelmed and short-circuited instantly,” adding, “Social interactions have been heavy.”

Her professional relationships are much smoother and she has gained a lot of goodwill over the past 30 years, which continues despite current challenges. The Hollywood Reporter reached out to the filmmakers behind two of his upcoming projects, and both teams are supporting Blair. One director praised her professionalism, preparation and all-around nature.

Blair should play a supporting role in Schmoolie the Death Watchera film described as a mystical coming-of-age adventure directed by Bridget Stokes from a screenplay by Theresa Burkhart Gallagher. The project follows four misfit Jewish teenagers in Los Angeles against the backdrop of Purim, with Blair on board as Schmoolie’s aunt. Production is expected to begin in late February in Los Angeles with a cast including Isaac Krasner as the title character, Luenell, Ariel Martin, David Mazouz and Sania Halifa.

“Selma is a vital part of our cast and we are confident in her return to work,” Schmoolie producers say THR in a statement. “The health and well-being of Selma, as well as that of all of our cast and crew, is the production’s priority.”

Blair landed a role in the Tane McClure-led ensemble Ethan Almighty alongside stars like Kelsey Grammer, Brandon Routh, Sean Patrick Flannery, Trevor Donovan, Kelly Sullivan and others. The independent feature film, written by McClure with Tyke Caravelli, brings to life the true story of a hero dog who miraculously survived severe neglect and abuse. Along with its new owner, Jeff Callaway, they worked to pass an anti-cruelty law in Kentucky known as “Ethan’s Law.”

In the film, Blair plays a cancer patient and McClure said she was a joy to work with. “I think it’s important for the world to know what a good heart she has. Beyond being a professional on set, as she was every day, knowing her lines, arriving on time, being kind and (courteous), she is a very kind and caring person,” said McClure, a multi-faceted woman who has worked in many creative fields in Hollywood, including as a filmmaker and actress (with roles in the Legally blonde And Cruel intentions franchises, both starring Blair).

McClure added that she was thinking of Blair and those involved in this difficult time: “My heart aches for her at this time and I want to support her in any way I can, as well as everyone involved in this very sad incident.”

In September, Paramount+ confirmed that Blair and Wayne Brady had booked guest star roles in Criminal Minds: Evolution for the eighth episode of season 20. THR contacted representatives for the show about Blair’s status and had not heard back as of press time.

As for Blair, her publicist has made no further comment on her current status. But Eric Schiffer, a communications specialist with decades of experience in the field, chimed in, saying: THR that there is work to be done off camera.

“The biggest problem for Selma is that there is now a pattern of behavior that shows she can lash out,…