ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Tuesday, April 9, 1996 TAG: 9604090108
SECTION: NATL/INTL PAGE: C-4 EDITION: METRO
DATELINE: LOS ANGELES
SOURCE: Associated Press
Marlon Brando has come under attack from Jewish leaders for saying that Jews ``own'' Hollywood.
``Mr. Brando's comments about Hollywood being controlled by Jews is about as sloppy an anti-Semitism as saying that Jews control banks,'' said Rabbi Harvey J. Fields of the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles.
The Oscar-winning star of ``The Godfather'' made the comment Friday on CNN's ``Larry King Live.'' Hollywood, he said, ``is owned by Jews, and they should have a greater sensitivity about the issue of people who are suffering.''
He listed negative stereotypes that he said have been in the movies. ``We've seen the nigger, and the greaseball. We've seen the chink. We've seen the slit-eyed dangerous Jap. ... But we never saw the kike, because they knew perfectly well that that's where you draw the wagons around,'' Brando said.
Abraham H. Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League of B'nai B'rith, called on Brando to apologize for perpetuating ethnic stereotypes.
Brando, 72, who has been active in the civil rights movement, denied that his comments were anti-Semitic. ``I will be the first one who will praise the Jews honestly and say, `Thank God for the Jews.'''
The Jewish Defense League said it will protest at Brando's next movie. Sunday, a swastika was pasted on the actor's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
LENGTH: Short : 37 linesby CNB