Ron Perlman Joins Fight Against Animal Experimentation at University of Minnesota [Exclusive]

Ron Perlman has played many creatures throughout his career, from the leonine Vincent in Beauty and the Beast to the titular heroic hellraiser in Hellboy. But now, he is launching a campaign to help some real creatures. Perlman has never been shy about advocacy. He is a vocal opponent of the Trump Administration and a proponent of progressive political causes. He was very vocal during the twin SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes of 2023, especially after an article ran in Deadline in which an anonymous Hollywood executive said the studios intended to let the strikes go on until union members started losing their houses. Perlman recorded a video on Instagram in response: in a menacing tone familiar to fans of his on-screen work, he suggested that there were "a lot of ways to lose your house," which he later clarified he was not calling for violence. Next, Perlman is taking a stand against what he calls unethical animal experimentation on monkeys at his alma mater, and Collider is proud to exclusively present the open letter he has written to the university's administration.

Now, Perlman and People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals are calling out the University of Minnesota for their cruel treatment of their macaque test subjects. Perlman graduated from the University of Minnesota in 1973 with a master's degree in theater arts, and soon became a respected character actor. In an open letter to university president Rebecca Cunningham, Perlman calls for disciplinary action against researchers Jan Zimmermann and Matt Johnson, and for the university's surviving research macaques to be transferred to a reputable primate sanctuary. Another Minnesota researcher, Geoff Ghose, was recently suspended for violating the university's policies regarding animal research; Perlman regards this as a good first step, but wants further action to be taken.

Read Ron Perlman's Full Letter Calling for an End to Animal Cruelty

The full text of Perlman's letter is as follows:

Dear President Cunningham,

I am writing to urge the University of Minnesota to retire the surviving monkeys used in experiments by Jan Zimmermann and Matt Johnson to reputable sanctuaries, where they can finally begin to recover from years of invasive experimentation. I was encouraged to learn that, following a formal letter of reprimand and the cancellation of his protocols, Geoff Ghose no longer experiments on monkeys. I respectfully ask the university to take similarly decisive action against Zimmermann and Johnson, end their experiments on monkeys, and ensure that no other monkeys are subjected to such suffering.

I have learned that, for years, these laboratories have subjected monkeys to invasive brain surgeries in which portions of their skulls are removed, metal devices are implanted into their heads, and electrodes are inserted into their brains. According to records obtained by PETA, these laboratories have experienced repeated surgical complications, infections, device failures, and other serious animal-welfare concerns, raising profound questions about oversight and accountability.

At a time when leading universities are increasingly embracing sophisticated human-based technologies—including organs-on-chips, organoids, advanced imaging, and artificial intelligence—that are more directly relevant to human biology, and when funding priorities at the National Institutes of Health and among private philanthropies increasingly reflect that shift, continuing to rely on invasive monkey experiments leaves the University of Minnesota increasingly out of step with the direction of modern biomedical research.

Retiring the surviving monkeys to reputable sanctuaries would allow them to live out the rest of their lives in peace after enduring years of invasive procedures. After everything these monkeys have endured, they deserve retirement—not another experiment. Taking this step would also demonstrate compassionate leadership and help ensure that no other monkeys are subjected to similar suffering.

Thank you for your time and consideration. I respectfully urge you to act.

Sincerely,

Ron Perlman.

Where Can Ron Perlman Be Seen Next?

Perlman recently turned up in Apple's Cape Fear, as the father of Max Cady (Javier Bardem). Coming up next for him is the World War II film Fortitude, in which he'll play General George S. Patton. Next year, he'll star alongside Adam Scott and Danielle Deadwyler in the black comedy The Saviors. He's also set to reunite with many of his Sons of Anarchy castmates in the upcoming series Legacy, a meta-take on the show's fandom and popularity.