A bitter feud has resurfaced between former WWE star Hornswoggle (Dylan Postl) and Hollywood actor Peter Dinklage, centering on Dinklage’s outspoken criticism of Disney’s live-action Snow White remake and its impact on casting opportunities for little people. Hornswoggle launched a fiery verbal attack accusing Dinklage of using Hollywood politics to undermine roles traditionally given to little people, causing significant backlash and stirring heated debate within the wrestling and entertainment communities.
The Origin of the Feud: Dinklage’s “Snow White” Comments
The dispute traces back to Peter Dinklage’s 2022 remarks during an interview on Marc Maron’s podcast, where he condemned Disney’s plan to feature seven dwarfs in their Snow White remake, calling the story “backward” for relying on characters portraying little people living in a cave. Dinklage argued that the portrayal was outdated and perpetuated stereotypes, advocating for more progressive, non-traditional casting choices in Hollywood[1][3].
While Dinklage positioned his comments as a push for inclusivity and change, former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Hornswoggle who is a little person himself vocally disagreed. On the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast, Hornswoggle launched into a profanity-laced tirade, directly blaming Dinklage for “costing so many people in my community jobs” by opposing roles specifically designed for little people, such as the iconic dwarfs in Snow White[2].
Hornswoggle’s Frustration: Jobs Lost and Roles Taken
Hornswoggle argues that Dinklage’s political stance, while perhaps well-intended, ultimately led to fewer acting opportunities for little people in mainstream projects. He highlighted how roles like Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones—a little person role—were traditionally key sources of stable employment for actors in the community.
“F you, Peter Dinklage, piece of s,” Hornswoggle exclaimed during his podcast appearance. “Fing hate him. He cost so many people in my community jobs with that Snow White bull—-, it pes me off,” he said. Hornswoggle added that when Dinklage participated in projects like Elf, he “cashed that check just fine” and that roles for little people, even in major films, are vital to sustaining many careers[1][2].
Sources close to WWE reveal that Hornswoggle’s frustration stems from broader concerns about Hollywood’s evolving casting practices, which increasingly emphasize race and gender diversity—sometimes at the expense of traditional little person roles. “Dylan feels like these changes are locking out performers like him, rather than opening doors,” a WWE insider said. “He’s not anti-progress, but he’s deeply upset by what he sees as unintended consequences that hurt his community.”
The Broader Debate Over Representation and Stereotypes
This feud spotlights an ongoing tension in entertainment: how to balance representation with sensitivity to stereotypes. Dinklage’s position is that maintaining archaic portrayals of dwarfs reinforces harmful clichés. Meanwhile, Hornswoggle and others in the little person community argue that these roles provide essential work and visibility, even if imperfect in portrayal.
Experts in diversity and inclusion point out this is a challenging issue. While promoting inclusivity ideally embraces expanding all kinds of roles, removing traditional roles without adequate alternatives risks marginalizing communities further. The debate over Snow White encapsulates this complexity, with opposing views on whether evolution of casting practices is liberating or exclusionary.
Hollywood’s Changing Landscape: What It Means for Little People
Historically, little people have often been cast in fantasy or comedic roles defined by their stature, which at times perpetuated stereotypes but also provided employment. The shift toward political correctness and broader representation means casting directors are rethinking these roles, sometimes eliminating traditional portrayals entirely.
Hornswoggle believes this shift has “robbed” many little people of jobs that once were a dependable source of income and exposure. He expressed frustration at seeing studios invest in diverse casting while shrinking opportunities for performers like himself.
“If you have seven dwarfs in a huge Disney movie, that’s seven major roles, plus stunt doubles, extras — that’s a lot of paid work. Taking that away isn’t progress for my people,” Hornswoggle emphasized[2].
WWE Insider Perspective on the Feud’s Impact
According to sources close to WWE, while Hornswoggle’s comments have sparked controversy, they reflect a real sentiment among many ex-wrestlers who have transitioned into acting or entertainment roles themselves. “Dylan’s from a wrestling background where roles and opportunities are hard-fought and symbolic of broader acceptance,” a WWE source explained. “Seeing these opportunities vanish in Hollywood hits a nerve for him personally and professionally.”
The insider added that the feud has reignited conversations backstage about how the wrestling and entertainment industries support talent from marginalized communities, especially as conversations about representation intensify.
What Comes Next? Calls for Dialogue and Balanced Solutions
The Hornswoggle-Dinklage conflict underscores the importance of comprehensive dialogue in Hollywood about representation that respects the needs and voices of marginalized communities without pitting them against each other.
Both actors and advocates suggest Hollywood could better serve little people by creating new, varied roles that go beyond historical stereotypes, ensuring meaningful work instead of simply erasing existing character types.
As one casting director familiar with the issue stated, “We need to find ways to evolve storytelling while preserving employment paths for marginalized performers. It’s a delicate balance but essential to move forward.”