Alec Baldwin's latest confrontation with a comedian outside his Manhattan home has fueled concerns within Hollywood that the actor is nearing a breaking point, following years of personal and professional turmoil stemming from the fatal shooting on the set of Rust in 2021.
Baldwin, 66, was recorded threatening comedian Jason Scoop after Scoop approached him near Baldwin's residence while filming for social media. "You got a camera on me here? You realize my kids live in this building? If this camera wasn't here, I'd snap your f**king neck in half and break your f***king neck right here," Baldwin told Scoop, before warning he would "shove the camera up [Scoop's] a--."
Scoop later told RadarOnline.com that he felt "a mixture of being scared he was going to physically punch me in the face, but also a desire to stay in character for the camera."
Friends and industry insiders say Baldwin's outburst reflects mounting strain. "I'm nervous for him and a lot of others in Hollywood are, too. He's had an incredible run of adversity, tension, and strain that would break most people," a source familiar with Baldwin's situation told RadarOnline.com.
The actor's career has slowed significantly since the accidental shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins, for which Baldwin faced involuntary manslaughter charges that were ultimately dismissed. Yet, despite the legal resolution, sources say Baldwin continues to face a "considerable professional and social hangover," with few in Hollywood eager to work with or associate with him.
Adding to the pressure is the backlash surrounding Baldwin's new TLC reality series, The Baldwins, which documents life with his wife, Hilaria Baldwin, 41, and their seven children. Critics have labeled the show a "tone-deaf cash grab," accusing the couple of attempting to rehabilitate Baldwin's image following his legal troubles.
Public tension between the couple was on display during a red carpet interview at Planet Hollywood's grand reopening in New York, where they promoted the show. Asked about a possible second season, Alec joked, "The Hilaria Show," prompting Hilaria to quickly shut him down. "Oh my God. When I'm talking, you're not talking," she snapped, drawing widespread attention on social media.
In the interview, Hilaria added: "This is why we'll just have to cut him out of the show," before continuing, "I think this is a really raw show and it's very real and we took a lot of chances. We'll see where it leads us."
Footage of the exchange went viral, with viewers divided over Hilaria's sharp response. One user commented, "Wow, that was a very, very bad moment right there," while another noted, "She is very rude to her husband in front of everyone."
Baldwin has previously admitted on the show that the legal ordeal surrounding Rust has impacted his mental acuity, saying, "That's not me. I have a photographic memory. They hand me a two-page monologue on 30 Rock that morning and I'd memorize it. I developed that ability. My memory is shot. I can't remember anything anymore, it's really scary."
Hilaria also revealed the toll the case has taken on their family. Speaking on-camera, she described writing letters to their children before court appearances, fearing for their safety. "Carmen asked me last night, 'When daddy goes to New Mexico, do I say goodbye to him? Do I say goodbye to him in a special way?' She was so afraid that when Alec and I go into court that somebody is going to shoot us."
Baldwin's latest confrontation follows a series of public incidents, including a 2023 altercation in which he struck the phone of a protester, and a 2022 settlement over a physical altercation related to a parking dispute.
A source close to the actor remarked, "He's had plenty of episodes over the years, blowing up at the drop of a hat. But now he's letting his rage get the better of him and doesn't have his fame and friends to back him up."
