“Hollywood's Zionist”

Chosen for using her Hollywood platform to proudly defend Israel and the Jewish people: Debra Messing has spent years refusing to stay silent on antisemitism, and in 2026, she has continued to make Jewish identity and support for Israel central to her public voice.

I feel safest in Israel.

Debra Messing, June

For Messing, this fight is deeply personal. In 2026, she spoke openly about growing up with antisemitism and the fear facing Jewish families today, describing antisemitism on college campuses as one of the forces shaping the childhood of a new generation.

Her activism has also taken her far beyond social media. Messing has traveled to Israel, met with Israelis affected by the October 7 massacre and hostage crisis, and repeatedly used her celebrity platform to challenge attempts to isolate or delegitimize the Jewish state.

That advocacy has come with a price. In Hollywood, where outspoken support for Israel can make an actor a target of intense criticism, Messing has continued to speak publicly rather than retreat into silence.

But perhaps her greatest impact is the example she sets for other Jews in the public eye. She has made Jewish pride an act of courage, refusing to separate her Jewish identity from her support for Israel simply because doing so might be easier.

In an entertainment industry where silence can be the safer choice, Debra Messing chose to speak.

That is why Debra Messing is No. 28 on The 36.