Thora Birch sparks outrage after autograph showdown turns ugly

Thora Birch is making headlines after a tense encounter with an autograph seeker in Beverly Hills spiralled into chaos.

Reportedly, the dramatic incident unfolded outside the Four Seasons Hotel after the star-studded BAFTA Tea Party. 

The 43-year-old actress, best known for Hocus Pocus and her acclaimed role in American Beauty, was leaving the venue with her husband, talent manager Michael Benton Adler, when a man approached asking her to sign photographs.

What began as a seemingly routine celebrity encounter quickly turned ugly and it was all caught on camera.

Footage later obtained by TMZ shows Adler suddenly ripping up the photos the man hoped to get signed, reportedly because he believed the autograph seeker intended to resell them. 

Tempers flared instantly as Birch was clearly distressed and was heard shouting threats and angrily confronting the man, while the 48-year-old producer tried to pull her away and calm things down.

The row escalated further as insults were exchanged at close range, with the man demanding money for the destroyed photos and continuing to follow the couple down the street. 

In a second, calmer clip, Monkey Trouble actress is seen eventually signing the photos in an apparent attempt to bring the confrontation to an end.

Adler later claimed the man had harassed Birch throughout the weekend and even put his hands on him, prompting his reaction. 

He also criticised autograph hunters, calling them untrustworthy and insisting the couple simply wanted to leave peacefully.

After the viral backlash, Birch and Adler issued a joint apology through TMZ. 

They said they deeply regretted how the situation escalated and explained that the autograph seeker followed Birch from a private area to their car. 

The Hole star also clarified that a comment she made during the argument was misunderstood, noting that she is Jewish and has family in Israel.

It's worth noting that the couple ended their statement by apologising again, admitting the incident should never have unfolded the way it did.

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