Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Arts & Entertainment
[UPDATE] Photo: Enraged Alec Baldwin "Punches" Photographer, Circle Of Life Continues
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 19, 2012
Modified Jun 19, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Christopher Robbins
Published Jun 19, 2012
Modified Jun 19, 2012
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
[EARTH-SHATTERING CELEBRITY UPDATE BELOW] Noted Buddhist monk and actor Alec Baldwin allegedly punched a Daily News photographer this morning outside the Marriage License Bureau. “He was looking mad,” photographer Marcus Santos said, describing every human being who gets stalked by photographers for magazines people flip through whenever they need to feel a little superior for a few fleeting moments. "He comes after me, starts shoving and punching me—one time, right in the chin," Santos said. But a source close to the actor tells Gothamist he was just playing Punches With Friends, and meant no disrespect.
Baldwin was apparently picking up a marriage license with his fiancee, 28-year-old Hilaria Thomas, when he was approached by photographers and the confrontation ensued. We're pretty sure this counts as his Glengarry Glen Ross revival audition.
IMPORTANT CELEBRITY UPDATE: Baldwin's tweets regarding the matter aren't exactly smoothing things over:
A "photographer" almost hit me in the face with his camera this morning.#allpaparazzishouldbewaterboarded
— AB (@alecbaldwin) June 19, 2012
I suppose if the offending paparazzi was wearing a hoodie and I shot him, it would all blow over...
— AB (@alecbaldwin) June 19, 2012
Baldwin's publicist released this statement:
As Alec and his fiancée were leaving City Hall, a 'civilian' walking in front of Alec positioned himself to obstruct the view of a photographer aggressively trying to shoot the couple.
The photographer was clearly frustrated, pushed past the bystander and assaulted Alec with his camera. There were no punches thrown, and any subsequent physical contact was simply Alec protecting himself.
See? The photographer fixed his bayonet to his camera and assaulted him. Case closed. Not really: the photographer has filed a complaint with the NYPD against Baldwin for assault.
Tagged
alec baldwin
celebrity
paparazzi
punches with friends
Christopher Robbins
Christopher Robbins is a New York City reporter covering transportation, affordable housing, local politics, and criminal justice. His work has also appeared in New York Magazine, The Village Voice and The New York Times. Chris is a graduate of Patrick Henry High School in Roanoke, Virginia, and enjoys biking to Fort Tilden in the summertime.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE arts-entertainment
Ever wish you could get paid to walk through a stranger’s house? ‘The Scout’ is for you.
A new film focuses on the strange career of a location scout in New York City.
By
Sonia Rao
Published Sep 26, 2026
There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.
See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.
By
Hannah Frishberg
Arts & Entertainment
There are 100s of places to visit during Open House New York. Here's 5 of our favorites.
See the entire lineup for the weekend when the city opens its doors.
By
Hannah Frishberg
A massive MTA archive ended up in a Virginia warehouse. A Brooklyn man brought it home.
By
Hannah Frishberg
How a Harry Styles pop-up in the East Village led to a nearby bookstore owner's arrest
By
Sonia Rao
NYC’s creative workers are increasingly self-employed, report says
By
Hannah Frishberg
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .