Salma Blair is accused of raping four people. Can his career survive another scandal?

The 54-year-old is being supported by her co-stars amid the latest turmoil: "My heart goes out to her right now and I want to support her in any way I can, as well as everyone involved in this very tragic incident."

Things finally followed for Salma Blair.

Her multiple sclerosis, which has been in remission for nearly five years thanks to intensive treatments including chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant, seemed manageable under the care of neurologists and doctors, even though she said she was often "tired." He dusted off the ashes left over from an explosive social media scandal that began in 2024 when he posted an inflammatory Instagram comment and rebuilt a team of reps who guided him to several new acting jobs.

Salma Blair has pleaded not guilty to the violent attack on the Delta flight

Salma Blair was arrested at New York's JFK airport after biting and punching Delta employees.

So it made sense that he would stand tall at the podium at the ADL's State of the Arts: An Evening at the Jewish Museum on Oct. 1 and tell how he picked up the pieces and what lessons he learned along the way. But first, the 54-year-old, who was accompanied at the event by an English Labrador service dog named Scott, detailed the devastation of losing her career and the team that supported it, including powerhouse agency CAA, her manager, lawyer, personal publicist and book. He lost brand deals, completed work checks and even his son's godmother. Not only did the phone not ring, it was blocked by his trusted people, some of whom were with him when he first started acting in 30 years.

"Two years ago, I learned what that night was saying from the Tribune in February 2024, referring to the meltdown caused by an Instagram comment under a video posted by immigration reform advocate Ibrahim Hamra. Islam has destroyed Muslim countries and they come here and destroy minds. They know they are liars. Let the justifications be complicated to reach their destiny.

He deleted the comment and later apologized for "inadvertently and mistakenly" equating Muslims with radical Islamists and fundamentalists. He said it was a "terrible mistake in my words" that hurt countless people. But the damage was done.

Blair said she spent years "tweaking" her career in the midst of her battle with MS, and she's not ready to give up. He lowered his head and did it again. It took more than two years, but Blair was glowing when talking about finding work again, upcoming roles in Criminal Minds: Evolution and two standalone films. Blair informed the ADL audience that he was filming an anti-Semitic documentary titled Hineni, a Hebrew word that translates to "Here I Am."

He credits his "best friend," a lawyer who refused to give up on him and is now part of his "small" yet powerful team of attorneys: attorney Joshua T. Reitzas at Berlandi Nussbaum & Reitzas, principal Oren Segal and Jill Fritzo PR. "I know I had a lucky life." "And of course we know that life is better now than it was then," he said. "I now have a team to walk through fire with."

On Sunday, October 11, Blair allegedly assaulted two flight attendants by punching and biting another while flying Delta Flight 938 from Los Angeles to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport. It was also reported that he tried to open a door at some point on the flight. The New York Harbor Police Department confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that Blair was arrested at the gate and taken to a hospital for evaluation.

Less than 24 hours after the alleged attacks, Blair appeared before Judge Indira Khan in Queens, New York, where she was accompanied by Ritzas and lawyer Shawn Barnes. He is not guilty of two counts of assault. Separate charges are expected from the FBI because the agency is responsible for investigating all plane crashes.

It was an emotional and sometimes tense scene in court. Blair had tears streaming down her face as her team worked to explain what happened. Barnes said his client missed taking the medication that manages his MS and that he worked "long hours and long hours" before the flight. At some point during the trip, he also hit his head, an injury the pilot also reported when he called for backup at the gate. These factors, along with the altitude, lead to a state of severe confusion and confusion, Barnes said.

Referring to Blair's career and advocacy, Ritzas asked the court for leniency: "Look at his body of work and what he has done for people. This is someone we should look up to. He is the gold standard."

Aside from the case — Blair's next court date is Jan. 19, and he reportedly faces two to seven years in prison — there's one glaring question about that body of work. Can Blair save her career from another scandal?

This week's incident was not Blair's first in-flight incident. In June 2016, Blair, returning to Los Angeles from a vacation in Cancun, Mexico, began screaming uncontrollably, causing chaos on the plane. Two nurses helped restrain the actress, who was taken to the hospital for evaluation. Blair later apologized, claiming she blacked out after mixing prescription drugs and alcohol.

"Yesterday I made a big mistake. After a lovely trip with my son and his father, I mixed alcohol with medication, which led me to say things that I deeply regret. I am an imperfect human being who makes mistakes and I am ashamed of this incident. I am truly very sorry," Blair said in a statement at the time.

He has a history of biting people. As in her memoir, Mean Baby: A Memoir of Blair, growing up, she cut her teeth on Sienna Miller, Seth MacFarlane and Kate Moss. She attributed the incidents to social anxiety or disorientation, writing that her system "floods and instantly short-circuits," adding, "Social interactions have been cumbersome."

His professional dealings are much smoother, and he's built up a lot of goodwill over the past 30 years that continues amid current challenges. The Hollywood Reporter reached out to the filmmakers behind her two upcoming projects, and both teams are backing Blair. One director praised her professionalism, preparation and all-round nature.

Blair is set to play a supporting role in Schmoolie the Deathwatcher, a coming-of-age mystical romp directed by Bridget Stokes based on a screenplay by Teresa Burkhart Gallagher. The project follows four misfit Jewish teenagers in Los Angeles against the backdrop of Purim with Blair as Aunt Ashmoly. Production is set to begin in late February in Los Angeles with a cast that includes Isaac Krasner as the title character, Lonell, Ariel Martin, David Mazouz and Sania Khalifa.

"Selma is an important part of our cast and we are confident she will be back," Schmoolie producers told THR in a statement. Salma's health and well-being, along with all of our actors and crew, is the production's priority."

Blair starred alongside stars like Kelsey Grammer in Ethan Almighty directed by Ten McClure, Brandon Roth, Sean Patrick Flannery, Trevor Donovan, Kelly Sullivan and others. Written by McClure with Tyke Caravelli, this independent feature brings to life the true story of a heroic dog who miraculously survived severe neglect and abuse. With its new owner, Jeff Callaway, they worked to pass an anti-cruelty law in Kentucky called Ethan's Law.

In the film, Blair plays a cancer patient, and McClure said she was a pleasure to work with. "I feel like it's important for the world to know what kind of heart he has in person," says McClure, a multi-line personality who has worked in many creative fields in Hollywood. "He's a very nice and caring person beyond just being professional, like every day, knowing his lines, being on time, being kind and polite." Intentions are franchises in both of which Blair starred).

McClure added that her thoughts are with Blair and those involved during this challenging time: "My heart goes out to her right now and I want to support her in any way I can, as well as everyone involved in this very tragic incident."

In September, Paramount+ confirmed that Blair and Wayne Brady had booked guest-starring roles on Criminal Minds: Evolution for the eighth episode of Season 20. THR reached out to reps for the show about Blair's status and had not heard from them by press time.

As for Blair, her publicist had no further comment on her current condition. Eric Schieffer, a communications specialist with decades in the field, commented by telling THR that there are things that need to be done off-camera.

"Selma's biggest problem is that there's now a pattern of behavior that suggests she can be unhinged, whether it's because she's drinking, agitated, off her meds, or tired. That pattern suggests she can be out of control, and that's a problem when you're trying to work in Hollywood, both with producers and with brands. Some of that behavior, especially when it can lead to the arrest of a potential partner. Head of Los Angeles-based Reputation Management Consultants, it's hard to get into the reputation box unless he gets to the bottom of it and convinces people he's got it under control.

Schieffer added that these explanations could damage trust and credibility, so the biggest challenge for Blair now is rebuilding this "trust component". He suggests that she focus on it by "working on herself" and come to him when she "gets the hang of it." "It's a piece of work that only he can do. I hope he does. I hope the best happens to him. I hope he sees this as a sign that he needs to spend more time figuring it out."

Meanwhile, she's spending this weekend reviving some of her past — the good parts — like roles in Cruel Intentions, Hellby, Legally Blonde and The Sweetest Thing. Blair is booked for three days at Con 1990 at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. THR confirmed that Blair is indeed going, and will join a list of co-stars that includes Full House vets John Stamos, Lori Laughlin, Candice Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber and Dave Collier, Joey Fatone, Zach Henson, Nick Carter and JC Chapslead, the tomboy Hesser.

Event organizer Thats4Entertainment shared on Instagram: “Selma Blair will be joining us at the 90s convention as scheduled. "See you there!"

Blair sells the selfie and pen for $60, or a combination of the two for $100.

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