Actress Selma Blair, 54, allegedly attacked a police officer and a nurse after being arrested for causing a disturbance aboard a Delta Air Lines flight from New York to Los Angeles, according to new details that emerged Monday.
Blair reportedly caused chaos during the flight, allegedly hitting and biting two people after attempting to open an aircraft door midflight. But the incident did not end when the plane landed.
According to TMZ, Blair was taken for hospital treatment immediately after landing. While restrained to a stretcher, she managed to free one of her legs and allegedly kicked a female police officer in the head, throat and chest. She also reportedly attacked a nurse who was attempting to treat her.
TMZ published a recording of communications between the aircraft and police while the plane was still airborne.
"A passenger and a flight attendant suffered minor injuries, a nosebleed and bite marks. I don't think they need an ambulance," the pilot can be heard saying.
He added that medical personnel should nevertheless be available to examine Blair. "The disruptive passenger apparently also hit her head against a seat partition or something like that, so we'll probably need to have her checked out as well."
Blair was charged with two counts of second-degree assault. A judge ordered her release on $20,000 cash bail or a $60,000 surety bond.
During the court hearing, Blair's attorney explained that the actress has lived with multiple sclerosis for years and had experienced confusion involving her medication. "Ms. Blair missed several doses of a powerful medication that controls severe neurological symptoms," the attorney told the court.
"Ms. Blair boarded this flight after spending an extended period on a film set and working long, exhausting hours in the days leading up to the flight."
The lawyer also referred to an injury Blair allegedly suffered during the journey. "In addition, at some point during the flight, an incident occurred in which Ms. Blair fell and struck her head. These factors, combined with the high altitude, led her into a state of severe confusion and disorientation."
Another member of Blair's legal team asked the judge to consider her personal achievements and charitable contributions. "Consider her life's work and what she has done for others. This is someone we should appreciate. She represents the highest standard," the attorney argued.
The judge rejected the suggestion that Blair's celebrity status should influence her treatment. "Ms. Blair should not receive preferential treatment simply because she is famous," the judge responded. Her next court hearing was scheduled for January 19, 2027.
Just hours before the incident, Blair responded to a comment on Instagram from a follower who expressed happiness about her apparent well-being. "I'm so glad you're feeling good, that you're doing well and making new memories," the follower wrote. Blair responded: "I am. I'm good, I'm sad, I'm grateful, I'm hopeful, I'm not doing great."
(Photo: AP)
The latest incident is not Blair's first experience with an in-flight disturbance.
In 2016, she was removed from an aircraft on a stretcher after causing a disturbance during a flight. At the time, it was also claimed that medication she had taken was responsible for her behavior.
Blair, who is Jewish, has starred in films including Cruel Intentions, Legally Blonde and The Sweetest Thing. She has also been an outspoken supporter of Israel, publicly expressing solidarity following the October 7 attacks.
Lately, with the Legally Blonde co-stars
(Photo: Theo Wargo/Getty Images)
Recently, she spoke at an Anti-Defamation League event held at a Jewish museum in New York, where she claimed she had become ostracized in Hollywood after posting controversial remarks in February 2024.
"Expel all these thugs who support terrorism. Islam destroyed the Muslim countries, and then they come here and destroy minds," Blair wrote at the time. "They know they are liars. Twisted justifications. I hope they get what they deserve."