Theodore Shulman

Theodore Shulman (1961 – April 2026) was an American abortion-rights activist who threatened anti-abortion activists with violence. He proclaimed himself the "first pro-choice terrorist". He died of brain cancer in April 2026.

He had performed chorus roles with the Brooklyn Repertory Opera including Orfeo ed Euridice and Un ballo in maschera in 2009 and the Bronx Opera's 2009 production of The Magic Flute and their 2018 production of Rigoletto. He had a YouTube channel dedicated to his favorite opera performances and included a few of his own.

Threats and arrest Shulman had threatened many prominent leaders of the United States anti-abortion movement with physical harm or death, including: Princeton University professor Robert P. George; the National Director of Priests for Life, Fr. Frank Pavone; Operation Rescue advisor, Cheryl Sullenger; and anti-abortion activists Jill Stanek and Gerard Nadal. Shulman made his threats over the phone and Internet throughout the 2000s and early 2010s. Shulman never explicitly said that he would kill the targets—although he sometimes came very close.

Conviction Shulman was indicted on six criminal counts in connection with his threats against George and Pavone. As part of the plea deal, Shulman's sentence was at the low end of the sentencing guidelines, and he did not face weapons charges for possession of the cyanide, castor beans and rosary peas.

He was released from prison in October 2014.