James Cromwell Is Happy to Be Offensive

The veteran actor and activist talks about being People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals’ 2022 Person of the Year and why Hollywood brass don’t like him

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SUCCESSION ACTOR JAMES Cromwell says he's happy to be as "offensive" and "unpopular" as he needs to be for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) after he was named the group's 2022 Person of the Year on December 28.

The Oscar-nominated actor was given the accolade by the animal rights nonprofit for his years of service to its cause. PETA has also named its Los Angeles event space "The James Cromwell Empathy Center."

Cromwell has been involved in a number of high-profile protests for PETA in recent years, which have resulted in his being arrested on multiple occasions. Reflecting on his activism and career, 82-year-old Cromwell spoke to Newsweek about disrupting the status quo on behalf of PETA and revealed why he doesn't believe he's very popular with the Hollywood elite.

PETA's Secret Weapon

At 6 feet 7 inches tall, the 82-year-old Cromwell is an imposing figure physically, but his tireless campaigning also makes him a formidable political figure. He's been a part of a number of campaigns for a number of causes.

In 2019, Cromwell was arrested for protesting at an animal testing lab at Texas A&M University. He was part of PETA's campaign to convince Air France to stop flying monkeys to laboratories. Cromwell also recently super-glued his hand to a Starbucks counter in New York to protest the company's surcharge on vegan milk.

"I love that organization. PETA is one of the most ethical organizations I have ever been involved with," Cromwell tells Newsweek. "I'm moved because comparatively, to what they go through every day, the issues that they face, the determination, the courage, the willingness that they show, in taking on issues that are unpopular, they do things that people find offensive or attention-grabbing, but it works.