‘Stranger Things’ star Brett Gelman says book signing canceled over antisemitism, anti-Israel intimidation

Bookstores have canceled scheduled appearances by ‘Stranger Things’ star Brett Gelman (center) due to fears of antisemitism, he told The Post.

“Stranger Things” star Brett Gelman has had two stops on his book tour vanish.

Bookstores in California and Illinois scuttled scheduled events featuring the 47-year-old comedian due to harassment and intimidation from antisemitic and anti-Israel protesters, he alleges.

The Jewish actor will no longer have the chance to promote his fiction debut at Book Passage in San Francisco and The Book Stall in Winnetka. Gelman had been set to appear at the venues as part of a four-city tour for his forthcoming short story collection, “The Terrifying Realm of the Possible: Nearly True Stories.“

“The bookstores canceled because of protester intimidation,” Gelman, who portrayed Murray Bauman on the Netflix hit, told The Post. “I didn’t get a lot of specifics … [but] I definitely believe it’s because of my vocal support of Israel and because of the fact that I’m Jewish. I think that this is a completely antisemitic act.”

Gelman, who is Jewish, said two stops on his planned book tour had been canceled due to safety concerns. GC Images

Gelman, who learned of the cancellations through his rep, said he now fears for his safety, but won’t be threatened into silence. Two other planned appearances on the book tour – New York on March 18 and West Hollywood on March 27 – remain unchanged as of Friday.

“I mean, I won’t be surprised if they encounter the same type of intimidation, but I hope those two venues don’t feel it’s necessary to cancel the events,” Gelman said.

An employee at The Book Stall confirmed Gelman’s appearance had been canceled, but declined to provide additional information. Messages seeking comment from Book Passage in San Francisco were not returned Friday.

Gelman’s first work of fiction, a collection of short stories, is due to be released next month by Dey Street Books.

Gelman’s book, set to be released on March 19, features short stories highlighting characters in a “uniquely strange stage of life” as they negotiate themes such as morality, fame, religion and death. The 272-page tome has “nothing to do with Israel,” but underscores his Jewish identity, he said.

The actor-turned-author has been outspoken both online and off about his support for Israel.

Gelman identifies himself as a “Zionist pig” on social media and visited victims at a hospital in Ra’anana, Israel, in December.

That same month, he appeared on the Israeli sketch show “Eretz Nehederet. He played a professor from the University of California-Berkley in a bit that took aim at anti-Israel protesters at colleges and universities in the United States.

The Book Stall in Winnetka, Illinois, where Gelman had been set to appear on March 20, canceled due to fears of antisemitism, the actor told The Post. Cindy Barrymore/Shutterstock

In January, he confronted some of his 200,000 followers on X, writing: “If you do not at least partially blame Hamas for the deaths of its people you don’t care about Palestinians. You just hate Jews. If you do not call for the release of the hostages as you call for a ceasefire you just hate Jews. And if you hate Jews please unfollow me.”

Gelman, known for his role as Murray Bauman on “Stranger Things,” has been a staunch supporter of Israel since the Oct. 7 attacks. ©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection

German also recently signed a letter along with 200 others – including fellow celebs David Schwimmer, Michael Rapaport and Debra Messing – calling on the Motion Picture Academy to stop perpetuating antisemitism.

The scuttled March 20 appearance in Winnetka will spoil a homecoming of sorts for the Illinois native, but Gelman is now looking for other venues in San Francisco, as well as in Chicago.

“If I have to get security, I’ll get security,” he said. “I believe in the solidarity of the Jewish people, that they have my back. That’s sort of been the silver lining in all of this. It’s really mobilized the Jewish community to stand up and band together in the face of this crazy moment when antisemitism has been normalized and so has the support of Islamic fundamentalism and Islamic jihad.”

And, while the cancellations have been “heartbreaking,” Gelman isn’t letting them spoil his launch.

“I am proud of my book and I’m really excited for everybody to read it,” he said. “I can’t let these people sully my experience, but people need to know that this is happening to Jewish people all the time.”