17 Out of Work Blacklisted Actors in Hollywood

Publish date: 2024-05-20

There are numerous ways in which celebrities in Hollywood can get blacklisted. Some of the most common reasons include speaking up about topics that may not be popular with studio executives, engaging in inappropriate behavior during interviews and press conferences, or through public scandals.

In certain cases, celebrities have been blacklisted due to their controversial political views. Actor Vic Morrow was famously blacklisted by Universal Pictures after he spoke out in support of the anti-Vietnam War movement while promoting one of his movies. Other stars such as Sean Penn and Susan Sarandon were ostracized for speaking out on behalf of certain causes, such as same-sex marriage.

It’s important for celebrities in Hollywood to be aware that their words and actions can have consequences and may lead to them being blacklisted from the industry, even if they are already hated on by many in the industry. While it’s important for people to stand up for what they believe in, they should also consider how their actions could potentially affect their careers.

It’s better to express yourself without going too far, lest you end up joining the ranks of the blacklisted celebrities in Hollywood. And with that in mind, we will be highlighting some of the many famous actors and actresses who have been blacklisted in Hollywood over the years.

The Hollywood Blacklist of 17 Actors and Actresses

For those looking to make it in the entertainment industry, always remember that maintaining good relationships with studio executives and other key players is crucial. That way, you can continue living your dream without having to worry about being blacklisted!

To see an active list of such individuals that seem to have a problem following such rules, be sure to skim through the list below, and then think about the last time you saw these celebrities get work.

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Kevin Spacey

Kevin Spacey is perhaps one of the most famous people to be blacklisted in Hollywood for his alleged inappropriate behavior. In 2017, several men accused him of sexual misconduct, forcing Netflix to cut ties with him and halt production on his popular series House of Cards. Spacey responded by releasing a statement saying he was “beyond horrified” at the allegations, none of which he could remember. He was subsequently dropped from major movie projects, such as an upcoming Gore Vidal biopic and a J. Paul Getty movie.

Roseanne Barr

Roseanne Barr has also been blacklisted in Hollywood after she made offensive comments on Twitter in 2018. Her tweet comparing former Obama advisor Valerie Jarrett to an ape led to her show, Roseanne, being cancelled by ABC within hours of the post’s publication. She later tweeted that she had “made a mistake” and apologized for her words, but it did not stop Hollywood from cutting ties with her altogether.

Gina Carano

Gina Carano is another celebrity who was blacklisted after making controversial remarks on social media about the 2020 election and mask-wearing protocols. Her post, which was deemed insensitive and inaccurate, led to Disney firing her from the hit show The Mandalorian.

Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein has been one of the most notorious figures in Hollywood for his alleged sexual misconduct and abuse. Following multiple allegations against him in 2017, he was subsequently fired from his own company and blacklisted by virtually every major studio. His career imploded even further when he was convicted on rape charges in 2020 and sentenced to 23 years in prison.

Katherine Heigl

Katherine Heigl faced heavy backlash after publicly criticizing Grey’s Anatomy and suggesting that it should be nominated for an Emmy Award. This did not sit well with producers at ABC, who reportedly cancelled her contract shortly thereafter. She still continues to work in television, but her career has never quite recovered from the incident.

Charlie Sheen

Charlie Sheen was blacklisted in Hollywood after his erratic behavior and substance abuse led to him being fired from Two and a Half Men. In addition, he was widely criticized for his outrageous, unprofessional comments about producer Chuck Lorre during interviews. He has since made some appearances on television but is considered by many to be a Hollywood pariah.

Bill Cosby

Bill Cosby also suffered significant professional consequences when multiple women publicly accused him of sexual assault in 2014. His reputation took such a huge hit that it forced major corporations, including Netflix and NBC, to cut ties with him permanently. He was later convicted and sentenced to three to ten years in prison in 2018.

Mo’Nique

Mo’Nique was famously blacklisted in Hollywood after she refused to campaign for her Oscar-winning role in Precious. She argued that the producers had asked her to do so without offering additional compensation and accused them of unfair practices. She has since only had minor roles in television, with many companies reportedly being unwilling to work with her due to her stance on the issue.

Ashley Judd

Ashley Judd was also subject to blacklisting after she became one of the first women to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct in 2017. Her accusations sparked a wave of similar allegations against Weinstein and other powerful figures, leading to her being ostracized by some members of Hollywood who wanted to avoid association with such a contentious figure.

Elizabeth Berkley

Elizabeth Berkley rose to fame in the 1990s as one of the main characters in the hit movie Showgirls. She gained recognition for her sultry performances. However, she soon found herself on the blacklist after receiving backlash for her role in the critically panned movie. Since then, Berkley has kept her distance from big screen roles and instead focused on television appearances.

Mira Sorvino

Mira Sorvino rocketed to stardom with her Academy Award-winning performance in Mighty Aphrodite. However, she soon found herself on the blacklist after speaking out against sexual harassment in Hollywood. Despite having a successful career, Sorvino has been largely absent from the big screen due to her activism and outspokenness.

James Woods

James Woods has been blacklisted in Hollywood since he made some controversial comments about the 2016 presidential election. He has since only had minor roles in television and his career appears to be winding down as a result of his comments.

Jim Caviezel

Jim Caviezel is one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, with a long and impressive career that has spanned over two decades. However, he was blacklisted in 2007 after speaking out against the Iraq War. Despite being highly acclaimed and sought-after by directors, Caviezel has become largely absent from film projects due to his controversial comments.

Mel Gibson

Mel Gibson is one of Hollywood’s most controversial figures. He was blacklisted in 2006 after making anti-Semitic remarks during a drunken tirade. Despite his immense success, he has become almost untouchable by studios and directors alike due to his reputation for bigotry. So what did Mel do? He went on to create and direct films of his own… which now gives him more power than any actor.

Stacey Dash

Stacey Dash gained recognition as one of the main characters in Clueless, but soon found herself backlisted after expressing conservative views in public. Her outspokenness about her political beliefs has been met with a hostile response, and she has been largely absent from the big screen since then.

Rose McGowan

Rose McGowan is an actress who gained recognition for her role in the 1996 movie Scream, but was blacklisted after coming forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Harvey Weinstein. Despite having a successful career, she has become distant from Hollywood due to her stand against sexual misconduct.

Brendan Fraser

Brendan Fraser is one of Hollywood’s most beloved actors, but recently found himself on the blacklist after speaking out against his alleged abuser. Despite having a long and impressive career, he has become largely forgotten by studios and directors alike due to his revelations of being sexually assaulted.

Why Hollywood Actors and Actresses Get Blacklisted

Each person listed above has been blacklisted due to their actions and outspokenness. Despite the varying reasons behind why they found themselves on the blacklist, all of them have become largely absent from Hollywood due to their controversial opinions or allegations.

Ultimately, it is clear that Hollywood’s power players are not afraid to silence those who speak out against them. Now, let’s take a look at some of the highest paid actresses that haven’t been blemished or blacklisted in Hollywood.

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