- Actress Thora Birch exchanged heated words with an autograph seeker outside a Beverly Hills hotel after a BAFTA event.
- Video shows husband Michael Benton Adler intervening, ripping photos and the couple later apologizing for the escalation.
- Birch used a sharp phrase that prompted an apology and explanation from the couple, who say the fan followed them from a private area.
- A second video shows Birch signing photos and the situation calming before the couple left.
What happened: heated exchange outside Four Seasons
Thora Birch, best known for Hocus Pocus and other film work, was involved in a verbal altercation with an autograph seeker on Saturday outside the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills after a BAFTA tea party. The confrontation was captured on video and shared by TMZ.
According to the footage, the dispute began when a man approached Birch for an autograph. Her husband, producer Michael Benton Adler, tells the camera the man had been persistent across the weekend. The interaction escalated when Adler grabbed photos the man was carrying, tore them up and threw them, prompting a prolonged exchange of insults.
Video shows tense moments and a controversial remark
In the clip, Birch can be heard warning the autograph seeker, “I’ll fing knock you out,” while Adler restrains her. At one point Birch says, “What are you, from fing Israel?” The man replies that he is from Puerto Rico and demands compensation for the ripped photos. The confrontation lasts several minutes before the couple walks away.
Watch the video: https://www.tmz.com/2026/01/12/thora-birch-husband-autograph-fight-beverly-hills/
Cooler heads: second video and signed photos
A follow-up video shows the autograph seeker continuing to follow the couple down the street. Adler can be heard asking the man to back off. Eventually Birch signs the pictures and the interaction appears to wind down. The footage suggests the crowd and attention contributed to the tense exchange.
Couple issues apology and context
After the videos circulated, Birch and Adler issued a joint statement to TMZ: “Thora Birch and I wanted to address the incident Saturday. We are deeply regretful for its escalation. As we left an event, my wife, Thora, was accosted by a professional autograph seeker who followed us to our car from a private area. Thora was trying to deescalate the situation. She is Jewish and has close family in Israel and was simply trying to place an accent. Again, we deeply apologize for this being misunderstood.”
The statement frames the encounter as a reaction to feeling harassed and says the remark was an attempt to identify an accent, not to offend.
Why it matters
Celebrity encounters with aggressive fans remain a recurring issue in public spaces. This incident highlights tensions that can arise when public figures are followed and pressured for autographs. The episode ended without physical harm, and Birch ultimately signed the photos, but the clip prompted discussion because of the language used and the role of bystanders and video in documenting celebrity interactions.
For the full footage and context, view the TMZ video linked above. The couple’s statement acknowledges regret over the escalation and asks that the incident not be misunderstood.
Image Referance: https://www.tmz.com/2026/01/12/thora-birch-husband-autograph-fight-beverly-hills/
