Spencer Gustafson and Derick Waller
7 hours ago
QUEENS, N.Y. (PIX11) — Actress Selma Blair was officially accused of assault in a Queens courthouse Monday after an alleged incident on a Delta flight to New York.
Blair was coming from Los Angeles Sunday evening when she was taken into police custody shortly before midnight.
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According to the criminal complaint, the “Legally Blonde” actress freed her leg from the stretcher she was being transported on to Jamaica Hospital from John F. Kennedy Airport and kicked a Port Authority police officer “repeatedly about the face, neck and chest.”
The officer was taken to a local hospital to be treated for injuries related to the alleged assault. Blair is further accused of kicking a nurse in the chest once she got the hospital.
Selma Blair appears in Queens Criminal Court Monday, October, 12, 2026 in Queens, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Daily News/Pool)
Selma Blair appears in Queens Criminal Court Monday, October, 12, 2026 in Queens, New York. (Barry Williams/ New York Daily News/Pool)
The flight crew of Delta flight 938 requested assistance from the Port Authority Police over a physically abusive passenger, according to authorities.
“Selma experienced a medical emergency that led to the alleged conduct. Upon landing, she received immediate medical attention and is currently in stable condition,” Blair’s representative told NewsNation in a statement.
Her defense lawyer Monday night claimed the 54-year-old missed multiple doses of medication leading up to the alleged incident. In 2018, Blair announced that she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
For years, she has advocated for disability rights. In 2023, she joined President Joe Biden at the White House to celebrate the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
PIX11 reached out to Delta Air Lines for comment, stating:
“Delta has zero tolerance for unruly or unlawful behavior, as the safety of our customers and crew always comes first.”
Blair had no prior arrests or legal run-ins.
In 2016, Blair apologized for making statements she regretted on a flight from Cancun to Los Angeles, saying that she mixed alcohol with medication, which made her black out.
Blair’s bail was set at $20,000 cash, or $60,000 bond. She is being represented by attorneys Shawn Barnes and Joshua Retzus.
The case was adjourned to Jan. 19, 2027.
This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.
Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here.